Munich Quantum Valley: Developing a Quantum Computer „Made in Bavaria”

With the foundation of Munich Quantum Valley (MQV) in 2022, seven leading research institutions in Bavaria, including the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, have committed themselves to an ambitious goal: Building the first German quantum computer with up to 1000 qubits “made in Bavaria”. The partners are working on realizing full-stack quantum-computer demonstrators, remotely accessible to researchers and industry. Within this framework, Fraunhofer EMFT researchers are contributing their engineering expertise to enable scaling and industrialization of the qubit platform based on superconducting qubits.

MQV acts as a hub between research, industry, funding agencies, and the public, following the mission of establishing a powerful quantum ecosystem in Bavaria. Key fields of action comprise building quantum computers, developing quantum infrastructure, fostering networking between industry and academia, supporting entrepreneurial activities, educating the next generation of quantum experts and promoting the potentials and chances of quantum computing to the public. Regarding MQVs R&D activities, seven consortia from different disciplines are developing all layers of a quantum computer, from hard- and software up to applications. The research is building on three technological approaches – superconducting (SC) qubits, neutral-atom (NA) qubits, and trapped-ion (TI) qubits.

Engineering expertise paves the way 

Fraunhofer EMFT is leading the SHARE consortium together with Fraunhofer IIS. SHARE is the engineering partner to push the boundaries of quantum computing within MQV. The Fraunhofer institutes EMFT, IIS, IISB and the universities TUM and FAU bundle their expertise to deliver cutting-edge solutions of scalable hardware and systems engineering that facilitate the upscaling of quantum computers. This is implemented by developing and providing superior electronic components and systems as well as semiconductor technology and integration solutions tailored specifically to quantum computers. The developments comprise specific electronics for scalable control and interfacing, digital system integration, and measurement setups operating at room and cryogenic temperatures. SHARE also explores new micro- and nano-scale materials, devices, and processes for superconducting quantum chips, provides wafer-scale pilot-line manufacturing and characterization of quantum-processor components, and develops innovative qubit architectures, 3D integration, and packaging techniques.

Within the consortium, the research team of Fraunhofer EMFT focuses on developing scalable superconducting hardware components and systems to foster the industrialization of quantum hardware for the superconducting qubit platform. Based on Fraunhofer EMFT’s Quantum Technologies Program, the activities with MQV comprise:

• Scalable Fabrication of SC Qubits (8” to 200 mm wafers)
• Technologies for 3D Integration of QPUs
  
• Ultra-High Density Flexible Interconnects and Packaging
• Process Control and Device Characterization

On the road toward the quantum computing era

Until the end of the first funding period (2026), the partners aim for the realization of full-stack noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers. However, this will only be the first milestone in the Bavarian quantum computing era: The roadmap for the next 5 to 10 years is an upscaling up to 1000 qubits. Finally, that´s the vision, Bavaria will have its own fault-tolerant quantum computer, jointly developed by the MQV partners, which are capable of solving practical problems relevant to the economy and society.

The MQV platform is supported by the Bavarian state government with funds from the Hightech Agenda Bayern.

• Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BAdW)
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (FhG)
• Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)
• German Aerospace Center (DLR)
• Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
• Max Planck Gesellschaft (MPG)
• Technische Universität München (TUM)