Diraq and Imec Demonstrate Coherent Operation of Eight Silicon MOS Spin Qubits Fabricated Using Standard 300mm CMOS Process

July 19, 2026

IO+ Netherlands

Overview

Researchers from Diraq and Imec have successfully demonstrated coherent operation of an eight-qubit silicon chip built using a standard 300mm CMOS industrial chip-making process. This breakthrough highlights the potential for mass production of scalable quantum computers by leveraging existing semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure. The achievement provides a practical pathway to address a major challenge in scaling quantum technology for commercial viability.

In Depth

Key Findings

Diraq and Imec researchers have successfully demonstrated the coherent operation of eight silicon MOS spin qubits, fabricated using a standard 300mm CMOS industrial chip-making process. This milestone is crucial as it leverages existing, high-volume semiconductor manufacturing technologies, indicating a viable path for the mass production of quantum computers. The ability to build quantum chips on ordinary assembly lines addresses a significant bottleneck in scaling quantum computing hardware.

Technical / Clinical Details

The eight-qubit silicon chip was built using a 300mm CMOS-compatible foundry process, a manufacturing standard for classical processors. This approach allows for precise control over individual qubits and their interactions, maintaining high fidelity in quantum operations. Silicon spin qubits are favored for their small footprint, relatively long coherence times, and inherent compatibility with silicon fabrication processes. The coherent operation demonstrated in this research confirms the potential for these devices to form the basis of large-scale, reliable quantum systems while adhering to conventional semiconductor manufacturing standards.

Background & Context

One of the primary challenges in quantum computing has been the scalability of qubit architectures while maintaining high performance and mitigating errors. Traditional quantum systems often require specialized fabrication facilities, which limit their ability to be mass-produced. By demonstrating quantum chip fabrication using a standard CMOS process, Diraq and Imec are bridging the gap between cutting-edge quantum research and industrial-scale manufacturing. This move could significantly reduce the cost and time required to produce complex quantum processors.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

This breakthrough signifies a shift in quantum computing from a purely physics-driven problem to an engineering and manufacturing challenge, aligning it with the robust supply chains and processes of the semiconductor industry. The successful integration of quantum qubit fabrication into existing foundries accelerates the timeline for developing fault-tolerant quantum computers with potentially millions of qubits. This advancement will be critical for unlocking the full potential of quantum computing in areas such as drug discovery, materials science, and artificial intelligence, by making quantum hardware more accessible and economically viable.

Source: https://ioplus.nl/en/posts/quantum-chips-can-now-be-made-on-ordinary-assembly-lines

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