3D Wiring Technique Leads Closer to the Invention of the Scalable Quantum Computer

Eliza Mahoney
Physics .1 Per. G
21 October 2016
Blog Post #2

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have discovered a new wiring technique that can control superconducting quantum bits. This wiring technique brings these researchers much closer to the official discovery of the scalable quantum computer.

"The quantum socket is a wiring method that uses three-dimensional wires based on spring-loaded pins to address individual qubits," 

said Jeremy Be´janin, a PhD candidate from IQC and the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Waterloo 

Jeremy Be´janin and Thomas McConkey are the lead authors of this study published in the journal Physical Review Applied. A superconducting qubit is used in scalable quantum computing architecture. Quantum mechanics makes it possible to prepare the qubits in states 0 and 1 at the same time. The electronic circuits in a classic computer are in these states. To bring the qubit to the state of 0, superconducting qubits are brought down to temperatures close to -273 Celsius. To control and measure the superconducting qubits, the researchers use microwave pulses.

"All wire components in the quantum socket are specifically designed to operate at very low temperatures and perform well in the microwave range required to manipulate the qubits. We have been able to use it to control superconducting devices, which is one of the many critical steps necessary for the development of extensible quantum computing technologies." 

said Matteo Mariantoni, a faculty member at IQC and the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Waterloo