TU Delft: Intel and QuTech finalised plans for a ten-year intensive collaboration

Delft, Netherlands, 7-9-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — American chip manufacturer Intel and QuTech, the quantum institute of TU Delft and TNO, have finalised plans for a ten-year intensive collaboration. Alongside financial support for QuTech totalling approximately $50 million, Intel will also contribute expertise, manpower and facilities. “QuTech is delighted to welcome Intel as their new partner. The major challenge facing quantum technology development in the coming decades, such as creating a quantum computer, is set to be upscaling: being able to create complex structures with an enormous number of quantum bits. This partnership will enable us to combine our scientific expertise with the best engineering expertise in the computer industry”, says lead scientist Lieven Vandersypen of QuTech.

Quantum computer

The primary focus of QuTech is the development of quantum technology, such as inherently secure quantum network connections and quantum computers. “By drawing on the special quality of quantum bits to be not only 1 and 0, but 1 and 0 simultaneously, a quantum computer is able to solve certain mathematical problems much faster”, adds fellow lead scientist Leo DiCarlo. For example, it is simply impossible for standard super computers to calculate the properties of promising new materials, but not for a quantum computer. “This significantly improves our chances of discovering special new materials. Consider, for example, superconductors that do not require extreme cooling and as such, can transport electricity without loss of energy”, says Vandersypen.

Intel expertise

“Expertise in specialized electronics combined with advanced physics is required to move quantum computing closer to being a reality,” comments Mike Mayberry, vice president of Intel and managing director of Intel Labs. “While qubit development has been the focus of quantum computing research to date, low-temperature electronics will be required to connect, control and measure multiple qubits, and this is where we can contribute. Our collaboration with QuTech will explore quantum computing breakthroughs that could influence the industry overall”.

Research focus

The collaboration will focus on research into fault-tolerant quantum computing at QuTech. Vandersypen conducts research into qubits based on the spin, a tiny magnetic effect, of electrons trapped in quantum dots. DiCarlo’s research is focused on qubits based on superconducting circuits on chips. Edoardo Charbon develops low-temperature electronics to manage qubits, Koen Bertels concentrates on the architecture of the quantum computer and Ryoichi Ishihara focuses on the connection between quantum bits and control electronics. TNO engineers will focus their expertise on the architecture of the quantumcomputer, enhancement and upscaling of the fabrication of qubits on nanoscale and the connection between qubits, chips and electronics.

National Icon

QuTech was founded by TNO and TU Delft in 2013. Last year, it was awarded the status of National Icon, making it one of the four innovative technology projects to benefit from additional governmental support. Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp is ambassador for the institute and is actively involved with QuTech. Earlier this year, six partners signed an agreement providing firm foundations for the QuTech institute for a ten-year period. Alongside TU Delft and TNO, these partners are the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Education, Culture and Science, NWO/STW/FOM and the High Tech Systems and Materials (HTSM) sector. QuTech also works closely with various companies, such as Microsoft and now Intel.

Press information

Karen Collet
T: 015 278 5408
K.Collet@tudelft.nl
Tweets by kcollet

Michel van Baal
T: 015 278 5454
M.vanBaal@tudelft.nl
http://twitter.com/MichelvanBaal

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TU Delft: Intel and QuTech finalised plans for a ten-year intensive collaboration