Okmetic Participates in ARCTIC EU Project Consortium Developing Quantum Hardware
ARCTIC, “Advanced Research on Cryogenic Technologies for Innovative Computing”, is a European project consortium developing components and systems for controlling and interfacing scaled-up quantum computers and other cryogenic microsystems. The project advances semiconductor technologies for low-temperature applications, strengthens Europe’s cryogenic microsystems ecosystem, and supports cryogenic microelectronics development.
The project is coordinated by IMEC and consists of 36 partners from 11 countries from industry, academia and leading RTOs. The three-year project ends in 2027 and is funded by EU, and in Finland additionally by Business Finland.
The Role of Silicon Wafers in Quantum Computing
Silicon wafers play a central role in quantum technology, providing a mature, scalable platform for building and integrating qubits as well as the control electronics needed for quantum computing. Superconducting qubits, spin qubits and control electronics are fabricated using well-established semiconductor processes, leveraging decades of progress in the microelectronics industry.
Silicon wafers’ availability, stability, and compatibility with advanced microfabrication technologies make them ideal for scaling quantum devices from laboratory prototypes to large, manufacturable quantum computers.
Specialized Silicon Wafers for Cryogenic Microelectronics
One of the key research focus areas in ARCTIC is expanding the applicability of microelectronic devices and circuits for cryogenic operation by developing low-loss silicon substrates and thin films. Quantum devices typically require High Resistivity silicon wafers to minimize microwave losses, improving qubit coherence and the performance of control circuits.
Okmetic partners to develop reliable silicon platform for future cryogenic quantum devices
Okmetic collaborates with project partners Bluefors and VTT to develop specialized silicon wafers for cryogenic temperatures and with Incize to characterize their cryogenic microwave loss properties. These efforts aim to provide a reliable silicon platform for future cryogenic quantum devices.
Project Outcomes Driving Next-Generation Technologies
The ARCTIC project’s expected outcomes are important enablers for highly demanded technologies that can resolve existing problems in areas such as computational chemistry, bio sciences and cryptography needed for data protection and cybersecurity.
Through its involvement in developing specialized silicon wafers for cryogenic and quantum applications, Okmetic could help enable the scaling, integration, and advancement of next-generation quantum computing technologies.
Finland’s history in low-temperature physics since the 1960s laid the foundation for booming quantum ecosystem which consists of numerous companies, start-ups and RTOs. ARCTIC project’s Finnish partners include Okmetic, Bluefors, VTT, AMAT (Picosun), IQM, Semiqon, Quantrolox and University of Tampere covering areas all the way from quantum hardware to simulation, infrastructure and materials.
