Quantum Chips Enter Industrial Manufacturing

In the EU research project SUPREME, 23 partners from 8 member states are pooling their expertise to advance the development of stable manufacturing processes for superconducting quantum chips. The R&D activities specifically address the challenges related to the stability and yield of qubits – crucial factors for the scaling of quantum technologies and thus for Europe’s competitiveness in the global quantum hardware market.

SUPREME aims to develop stable manufacturing processes for superconducting quantum chips “made in Europe.” The focus is on improving reproducibility and increasing yields to drive the scaling of quantum technologies. At the same time, the project aims to facilitate access to advanced manufacturing processes for European companies, thereby sustainably strengthening the European quantum ecosystem and fostering the growth of startups.

To achieve this, the consortium is working on innovative technologies such as angle-evaporated and etched Josephson junctions, 3D integration methods, and hybrid quantum processes for quantum computing, sensing, and communication. The developed technologies are validated using pilot line demonstrators. 

Fraunhofer EMFT contributes its expertise in the development of scalable manufacturing processes for superconducting materials and Josephson contacts and is further developing these specifically within the scope of the project. The focus is on optimizing industry-ready fabrication processes, investigating new material deposition and patterning methods, and improving the uniformity, yield, and scalability of future qubit technologies. In addition, the institute is developing suitable testing and characterization methods to further qualify the processes for industrial applications.

Pilot lines play a key role in technology development and the transfer to industrial manufacturing. They serve as a bridge between research and the industrial value chain. By providing Process Design Kits (PDKs), European universities, SMEs, and industrial companies gain access to stable manufacturing processes and can use them as a foundation to develop their own quantum devices and systems.

The SUPREME project involves 23 partners from 8 member states, coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, and is funded by the EU Chips Joint Undertaking program.