Commercial Fabrication: Quantum Motion’s Bloomsbury chip manufactured on GlobalFoundries’ 22FDX® platform.
Large Array Validation: 1024 quantum dots tested in under five minutes, well beyond prior benchmarks.
Focus on Integration: Combined qubit and control electronics aim for large-scale quantum processors.
Quantum Motion, a UK-based venture founded by academics from University College London and Oxford University, has introduced a silicon chip named Bloomsbury that integrates 1024 quantum dots in an area smaller than 0.1mm². The company evaluated the device in under five minutes, which is said to be substantially faster than earlier approaches. Fabricated through GlobalFoundries’ 300mm 22FDX® process, the chip demonstrates a path toward silicon-based quantum processors produced with existing semiconductor manufacturing techniques.
The results appear in a peer-reviewed Nature Electronics paper, emphasizing how a high-volume foundry environment can handle stringent quantum requirements. Bloomsbury leverages features in GlobalFoundries’ 22FDX® platform, such as cryogenic tuning and on-chip biasing, to streamline characterization and control of qubits. Adopting standard processes for quantum devices points to a future in which qubits can be integrated alongside conventional circuits, much the same way classical silicon systems incorporate billions of transistors on a single chip.
"Our work with GlobalFoundries has enabled us to demonstrate that scalable manufacturing techniques are compatible with the stringent demands of quantum computing. This achievement shows that silicon-based quantum chips can be fabricated using established semiconductor processes, bridging the gap between quantum research and industrial-scale production."
— James Palles-Dimmock, CEO, Quantum Motion
As a fabless venture, Quantum Motion focuses on chip design and quantum research, while GlobalFoundries supplies fabrication expertise. According to the partners, a central goal involves minimizing the number of external connections needed to drive a large collection of qubits. Semiconductor industry know-how in transistor-level integration can help meet that target, reflecting the same design principles found in conventional processors, which operate billions of transistors using only a modest set of input/output lines.
"This collaboration is an example of how GlobalFoundries is leveraging its differentiated technologies, such as our 22FDX technology platform, to drive advancements that will help shape the future of quantum computing."
— Ted Letavic, SVP and Corporate Fellow, GlobalFoundries
Quantum Motion’s approach aims to integrate qubits and control electronics on the same die, reducing complexity and physical space. By working closely with a large-scale foundry, the group hopes to refine subsequent designs that push towards monolithic quantum processors. Plans include further expansion of on-chip integration, drawing on lessons from Bloomsbury to support fault-tolerant implementations.
The UK company employs around 60 specialists in quantum theory, engineering, and software. Long-term objectives involve creating fault-tolerant quantum platforms that tackle complex computational scenarios in areas such as chemistry, medicine, and artificial intelligence. Through a rigorous combination of academic insight and industrial infrastructure, Quantum Motion believes silicon-based solutions may represent a path to widespread quantum computing.
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