Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC), a Sydney-based start-up, has chronicled impressive progress in the quantum space. On the communications side, they’ve already proven their breakthrough quantum twin technology. This advancement is a significant step towards solving difficult material science challenges, namely the metal-insulator transition of two-dimensional materials. Led by the ever-engaging Sam Gorman, the company’s quantum systems engineering lead, the startup created an eye-catching display. They developed a state-of-the-art device embedded with 15,000 quantum dots, allowing it to mimic complex material transition states.
Founded by Michelle Simmons, who has over 25 years of academic experience in quantum research, SQC published its findings in the prestigious journal Nature. The company’s accomplishments are a foundational breakthrough for the next era of quantum computing and materials science. This breakthrough has the potential to disrupt many industries that rely on high-performance materials.
Quantum Twins and Their Functionality
The newly announced Quantum Twins product serves as a high-performance silicon quantum simulator. Through direct contracts, it gives its customers access to unmatched capabilities. SQC’s approach is distinctive in that it encodes problems directly and efficiently into the geometry and structure of the quantum dot array. This distinguishes it from other quantum computers based on the qubit. This enables simulations throughout different material states without the requirement to manipulate single qubits.
“Instead of using qubits, as you would typically in a quantum computer, we just directly encode the problem into the geometry and structure of the array itself,” – Sam Gorman
“We can do things now that we think nobody else in the world can do,” – Sam Gorman
This ability to recreate the transition from an insulating to metallic phase is especially impressive. This powerful new feature opens new frontiers for researchers and industries alike, enabling them to explore material properties that once proved challenging for researchers to analyze.
Development of Precision Atom Qubit Manufacturing
Having set up its Precision Atom Qubit Manufacturing process back in 2017, SQC had years of experience behind them with their advanced technology. The team already advanced intricate techniques to control the placement of individual phosphorus atoms with atomic precision. They typically operate at the cluster level—the level of 10 to 50 atoms—designed to manufacture application special chips.
This process includes an arduous 38-stage process. It electro-patterns phosphorus atoms into silicon, ensuring ultra-high fidelity in the microchips created. As Simmons explains, taking such a detailed approach makes sure that every detail, no matter how small, is considered for during production.
“It’s done in ultra-high vacuum. So it’s a very pure, very clean system,” – Michelle Simmons
Simmons pointed to efficiency in their vertical joint manufacturing process as a key feature. In fewer than eight hours, they’re able to layer a jaw-dropping 250,000 registers on an individual chip. On top of that, they can iterate on a chip design in a one-week turnaround, a feat of rapid innovation itself.
“The thing that’s quite unique is we can do that very quickly,” – Michelle Simmons
Addressing High-Impact Issues
Now, SQC has proven itself to be a powerhouse for showcasing the capabilities of its quantum twin technology. Today, the company is poised to address high-leverage challenges and readdress long-standing questions in material science and beyond. In 2022, the company applied an earlier version of this technology to simulate a molecule of polyacetylene. This application opened the world’s eyes to the technology’s versatility and potential.
As for future applications of their technology, Gorman is very high on its potential. As he said, their system lends itself very easily to regimes that are very difficult for classical computing. This promise creates collaborative opportunities to solve today’s challenges in every industry.
“Now that we’ve demonstrated that the device is behaving as we predict, we’re looking at high-impact issues or outstanding problems,” – Sam Gorman
Silicon Quantum Computing fuses world-leading engineering excellence with groundbreaking quantum creativity. This will yield foundational new understanding and practical advances that can help drive new materials science to scientific and real-world impact.