Quantum Leap: Imec and Diraq Demonstrate Coherent Operation of Eight Silicon Spin Qubits on 300mm CMOS Platform

July 19, 2026

Embedded Computing Design Belgium

Overview

Imec and Diraq have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in quantum computing, demonstrating the first coherent operation and readout of an 8-silicon MOS spin qubit array. Critically, this array was fabricated using a 300mm CMOS-compatible foundry process, presenting a scalable pathway for manufacturing large-scale quantum processors by leveraging existing semiconductor industry infrastructure and expertise. This achievement significantly accelerates the transition of silicon quantum computing from research to practical engineering for mass production.

In Depth

Background

The quest for practical quantum computers hinges on two paramount challenges: scalability and fault tolerance. While various qubit modalities like superconducting circuits and trapped ions have shown promise, silicon spin qubits stand out due to their inherent compatibility with established semiconductor manufacturing technology. This compatibility enables direct utilization of the advanced, large-scale integrated circuit manufacturing techniques refined over decades by the traditional semiconductor industry, offering a distinct advantage in the pursuit of quantum computing at scale. Transitioning from manipulating single or small numbers of qubits to coherently controlling more complex arrays remains a crucial hurdle for the field.

Key Breakthrough

In a significant advancement for quantum technology, Imec, a world-leading research and development organization in nanoelectronics, and Diraq, an Australian quantum computing company, have jointly demonstrated the first coherent operation and readout of an 8-silicon MOS spin qubit array. This array was fabricated using a fully CMOS-compatible 300mm manufacturing platform, marking a pivotal milestone for the production of large-scale quantum processors.

Technical Details and Performance

This demonstration involved the independent addressing of individual silicon MOS spin qubits via electron spin resonance (ESR), with the entire 8-qubit array configured to operate as four 2-qubit unit cells. The coherence properties observed were impressive: Ramsey coherence times reached up to 41 microseconds (µs), while Hahn-echo times achieved a remarkable duration of up to 1.31 milliseconds (ms). The Hahn-echo technique is particularly significant as it actively mitigates the effects of environmental noise, thereby extending the qubit’s coherence time. These figures indicate that silicon spin qubits can maintain their fragile quantum states for periods sufficiently long to perform complex computational tasks, representing a significant step towards achieving the high fidelities required for fault-tolerant quantum computing.

The most compelling aspect of this achievement lies in the fabrication method: these qubits were produced using an existing 300mm CMOS manufacturing process. CMOS technology, perfected over decades within the global semiconductor industry, offers unparalleled efficiency in terms of chip integration density, reliability, and production cost. This direct compatibility positions silicon spin qubits as one of the most promising avenues for leveraging established global supply chains, vast manufacturing infrastructure, and deep engineering expertise to realize truly large-scale quantum computing.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The successful demonstration of coherent operation in an 8-qubit array using a 300mm CMOS-compatible process signals a crucial transition for silicon quantum computing—from the realm of fundamental R&D into an engineering phase focused on practical scaling. Moving forward, this technology is expected to accelerate the realization of fault-tolerant quantum computers by enabling the integration of exponentially more qubits and the incorporation of sophisticated quantum error correction techniques. By leveraging the robust, high-volume semiconductor ecosystem, silicon quantum chips have the potential to dramatically increase qubit counts while keeping manufacturing costs in check. This progress is anticipated to foster innovative quantum solutions across a wide range of critical fields, including advanced medicine, novel materials science, secure finance, and transformative artificial intelligence applications.

Source: https://embeddedcomputing.com/technology/processing/imec-and-diraq-demonstrate-first-coherent-operation-of-eight-silicon-mos-spin-qubits-fabricated-in-a-300mm-cmos-compatible-foundry-process

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