World-first diamond quantum computer runs at -456.9°F, eyes 1,000 logical qubits - Interesting Engineering

The diamond-spin quantum computer prototype.Fujitsu Japanese tech giant Fujitsu has developed the world’s first working diamond-spin quantum computer prototype that incorporates tin-vacancy (SnV) centers into photonic integrated circuits. The new prototype can run at -456.9 degrees Fahrenheit (-271.6 degrees Celsius). This is roughly 2.8 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the -459.6 degrees Fahrenheit (-273.13 degrees Celsius) required by superconducting quantum computers. Fujitsu said that the technology could lead to more powerful quantum computers by using light to connect individual computing modules. The firm plans to create a multi-module diamond-spin prototype by 2027. It also aims to make quantum computing practical by 2030. Under its quantum roadmap, Fujitsu aims to develop a 250-logical-qubit system by fiscal 2030 and a 1,000-logical-qubit system by fiscal 2035. “We are delighted to announce this prototype diamond spin quantum computer as a result of the collaborative research conducted since 2020 between Fujitsu, Delft University of Technology, and QuTech,” Kees Eijkel, PhD, QuTech general director, pointed out. Turning diamond defects into qubits The prototype relies on lattice defects in diamond crystals, better known as color centers, to create qubits. Diamond-spin systems have typically relied on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, which are formed when a nitrogen atom replaces a carbon atom next to an empty position in the diamond lattice.More from InnovationSee AllInnovationASML starts 350,000-square-meter campus to expand semiconductor equipment productionInnovation$100 million US push brings 300mm chips into the race for trapped-ion quantum hardwareInnovationWorld’s first quantum blueprint could crack Bitcoin’s 256-bit security in 26 daysInnovationHigh-NA EUV photomask effort targets 12-inch pilot line to cut chipmaking costsInnovationX-59: US supersonic aircraft hits Mach 1.2 at 49,000 feet in 25th test flight However, for the new system, the engineers turned to tin-vacancy (SnV) centers. These defects have a tin atom positioned between two vacancies in the diamond structure. Fujitsu said that their symmetrical structure makes SnV centers less susceptible to external noise than conventional NV centers. Additionally, SnV centers emit light at roughly 10 times the brightness of NV centers. This could potentially improve the optical connections between quantum modules. The approach could also lead to more efficient error correction. Its properties can keep quantum states stable, and allow logical qubits (groups of physical qubits that run quantum computations using specifications of a quantum algorithm) to be formed with fewer physical qubits than competing methods. Quantum links using light For the system, Fujitsu first created a process to bond high-quality, tin-implanted diamond substrates to alumina and silicon dioxide substrates. The diamond was thinned from several hundred micrometers to just several hundred nanometers for integration into quantum chips. It also made photonic integrated circuits that combine nanometer-sized diamond crystals containing SnV centers with alumina optical waveguides. Finally, it created a mechanism to control the diamond-spin qubits with light, microwaves, as well as radio-frequency waves. “The diamond-spin approach we have applied in this prototype not only offers exceptional scalability in its own right, but also has the potential to be integrated with superconducting quantum computers to further extend their capabilities, enabling more complex and large-scale computations,” Vivek Mahajan, Fujitsu’s CTO, said. The device has already been operated in a test environment through the Fujitsu Hybrid Quantum Computing Platform. Users do not need additional specialist knowledge to control the new hardware, according to the company. “Under our roadmap to achieve a 250 logical qubit system by fiscal 2030 and a 1,000 logical qubit system by fiscal 2035, Fujitsu will continue advancing practical quantum computing across a broad range of areas, from software to hardware, while leveraging the key advantages of the diamond-spin approach, including high fidelity and optical connectivity,” Mahajan concluded in a statement. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Sign up for freeBy subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.0COMMENTSubscribe toToday!Access to exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.Explore Now!ByGeorgina JedikovskaBased in Skopje, North Macedonia. Her work has appeared in Daily Mail, Mirror, Daily Star, Yahoo, NationalWorld, Newsweek, Press Gazette and others. She covers stories on batteries, wind energy, sustainable shipping and new discoveries. When she's not chasing the next big science story, she's traveling, exploring new cultures, or enjoying good food with even better wine.TRENDINGLATEST110,000 OpenAI agents crack 90-year-old Navier-Stokes mystery in just 88 hours2Scientists turn to London Tube map to showcase how nuclear fuel can be recycled3US Marines to get highly mobile Tempest vehicles to counter battlefield drones49,200-ton US warship heads for major overhaul as Navy upgrades its destroyer fleet5Secret Syrian nuclear reactor could have made material for weapons use, UN reportsThe diamond-spin quantum computer prototype.Fujitsu Japanese tech giant Fujitsu has developed the world’s first working diamond-spin quantum computer prototype that incorporates tin-vacancy (SnV) centers into photonic integrated circuits. The new prototype can run at -456.9 degrees Fahrenheit (-271.6 degrees Celsius). This is roughly 2.8 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the -459.6 degrees Fahrenheit (-273.13 degrees Celsius) required by superconducting quantum computers. Fujitsu said that the technology could lead to more powerful quantum computers by using light to connect individual computing modules. The firm plans to create a multi-module diamond-spin prototype by 2027. It also aims to make quantum computing practical by 2030. Under its quantum roadmap, Fujitsu aims to develop a 250-logical-qubit system by fiscal 2030 and a 1,000-logical-qubit system by fiscal 2035. “We are delighted to announce this prototype diamond spin quantum computer as a result of the collaborative research conducted since 2020 between Fujitsu, Delft University of Technology, and QuTech,” Kees Eijkel, PhD, QuTech general director, pointed out. Turning diamond defects into qubits The prototype relies on lattice defects in diamond crystals, better known as color centers, to create qubits. Diamond-spin systems have typically relied on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, which are formed when a nitrogen atom replaces a carbon atom next to an empty position in the diamond lattice.More from InnovationSee AllInnovationASML starts 350,000-square-meter campus to expand semiconductor equipment productionInnovation$100 million US push brings 300mm chips into the race for trapped-ion quantum hardwareInnovationWorld’s first quantum blueprint could crack Bitcoin’s 256-bit security in 26 daysInnovationHigh-NA EUV photomask effort targets 12-inch pilot line to cut chipmaking costsInnovationX-59: US supersonic aircraft hits Mach 1.2 at 49,000 feet in 25th test flight However, for the new system, the engineers turned to tin-vacancy (SnV) centers. These defects have a tin atom positioned between two vacancies in the diamond structure. Fujitsu said that their symmetrical structure makes SnV centers less susceptible to external noise than conventional NV centers. Additionally, SnV centers emit light at roughly 10 times the brightness of NV centers. This could potentially improve the optical connections between quantum modules. The approach could also lead to more efficient error correction. Its properties can keep quantum states stable, and allow logical qubits (groups of physical qubits that run quantum computations using specifications of a quantum algorithm) to be formed with fewer physical qubits than competing methods. Quantum links using light For the system, Fujitsu first created a process to bond high-quality, tin-implanted diamond substrates to alumina and silicon dioxide substrates. The diamond was thinned from several hundred micrometers to just several hundred nanometers for integration into quantum chips. It also made photonic integrated circuits that combine nanometer-sized diamond crystals containing SnV centers with alumina optical waveguides. Finally, it created a mechanism to control the diamond-spin qubits with light, microwaves, as well as radio-frequency waves. “The diamond-spin approach we have applied in this prototype not only offers exceptional scalability in its own right, but also has the potential to be integrated with superconducting quantum computers to further extend their capabilities, enabling more complex and large-scale computations,” Vivek Mahajan, Fujitsu’s CTO, said. The device has already been operated in a test environment through the Fujitsu Hybrid Quantum Computing Platform. Users do not need additional specialist knowledge to control the new hardware, according to the company. “Under our roadmap to achieve a 250 logical qubit system by fiscal 2030 and a 1,000 logical qubit system by fiscal 2035, Fujitsu will continue advancing practical quantum computing across a broad range of areas, from software to hardware, while leveraging the key advantages of the diamond-spin approach, including high fidelity and optical connectivity,” Mahajan concluded in a statement. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Sign up for freeBy subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.0COMMENTSubscribe toToday!Access to exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.Explore Now!ByGeorgina JedikovskaBased in Skopje, North Macedonia. Her work has appeared in Daily Mail, Mirror, Daily Star, Yahoo, NationalWorld, Newsweek, Press Gazette and others. She covers stories on batteries, wind energy, sustainable shipping and new discoveries. When she's not chasing the next big science story, she's traveling, exploring new cultures, or enjoying good food with even better wine.TRENDINGLATEST110,000 OpenAI agents crack 90-year-old Navier-Stokes mystery in just 88 hours2Scientists turn to London Tube map to showcase how nuclear fuel can be recycled3US Marines to get highly mobile Tempest vehicles to counter battlefield drones49,200-ton US warship heads for major overhaul as Navy upgrades its destroyer fleet5Secret Syrian nuclear reactor could have made material for weapons use, UN reports