Solving the cooling problem for D-Wave Systems

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The global leader and pioneer in quantum computing equipment is the Canadian company D-Wave, located in Burnaby, British Columbia. Despite the remarkable advances in electronics that permit D-Wave to harness quantum mechanics for computation, numerous engineering challenges specific to quantum computing hardware remain. In particular, the cryogenic temperatures required for quantum computation is reached by use of refrigerators employing thermodynamic cycles of He3 and He4 isotopes. These refrigerators are costly to acquire and operate, and pose a challenge to wider use of quantum hardware. D-Wave has optimized these refrigerators to their needs - particularly the run time between failures requiring extensive maintenance - but a paradigm shift in cryo-refrigeration is required to address D-Wave's specific cryo-cooling challenges in a more robust way. We propose here to design an innovative cryogenic thermoelectric cooler to address D-Wave's problems with maintaining near absolute zero temperatures in their products, and to demonstrate one stage of such a cooler. Our proposal is the result of extensive consultation with D-Wave, including a site visit to D-Wave facilities. We will develop an engineering design of a cryogenic thermoelectric cooling system for D-Wave that meets D-Wave's specific needs, and we will develop a functional prototype. The engineering advantages of a thermoelectric system over a conventional helium refrigerator are the simplicity of operation and control, the potential for monolithic integration directly on-chip, and importantly, energy efficiency. The key engineering challenges to overcome include resolving material compatibility issues, keeping material costs low, and reaching the required cooling power. Successful execution of this short 6-month project is anticipated to lead to further collaboration to further advance cryogenic thermoelectics, but will also result in the incorporation of cryogenic thermoelectrics into D-Wave's future products.