CEA and C12 Partner to Build Spin Qubit Chip Based Upon Carbon Nanotubes

Diagram of C12's Carbon Nanotube Qubit Structure. Credit: C12

CEA is a research institute based in Grenoble, France that is one of the world's largest organizations for applied research in microelectronics, nanotechnology and other advanced technologies. C12 is a Paris, France startup that is developing quantum processor chips using spin qubits in a carbon nanotube. The two organizations are joining forces to create multi-qubit chips at a wafer scale. They are using a two-step process to build the chip. First, CEA builds the underlying gate electrodes and resonators using its 200 mm CMOS fabrication line and then C12 deposits the nanotubes based upon the C-12 isotope of carbon using a chemical vapor deposition process on top of the wafer. C12 asserts that by utilizing ultra-pure carbon nanotubes, their technology can eliminate nuclear spin noise and provide long coherence times while providing high qubit connectivity and easy scalability. (C12 provides a good explanation of how their technology works on their web site here.) The companies will continue to work together and expect to have a final full prototype in 2024. Additional information can be seen in a press release provided by CEA that can be accessed here.

March 25, 2022