Challenges for Building a Silicon-based Quantum Computer

Jonathan Baugh
University of Waterloo


Abstract

Silicon MOS technologies can be harnessed, at low temperatures and in the few-electron regime, for quantum information processing. Electron spin qubits, first developed in GaAs heterostructures from the early 2000’s, have seen a significant crossover into silicon in recent years, taking advantage of isotopic purification (28Si) to enhance qubit coherence times. This crossover of material systems dramatically raises the potential for leveraging existing MOS technologies, both for qubit devices and for integrating classical control and readout circuits. I will introduce a scalable architecture we proposed for building a silicon-based quantum information processor, and then discuss the significant engineering hurdles that any large-scale processor will face regarding control, readout and multiplexing. Our current work on design and testing of cryo-electronics will also be discussed. While the goal of a large-scale quantum computer is ambitious, this new application space for electronics design presents new and exciting opportunities for combining the expertise of the engineering and physics communities to realize next-generation devices.