Probe-station upgrade for continuing microelectronics research

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Quantum technologies are promising to become increasingly important for our society. Recent developments in the field of quantum computers/sensors provide the potential for a significant improvement in computation speed and secure communication. Compared to their classical counterparts, these systems are expected to solve some currently intractable problems much faster thereby potentially impacting fields ranging from modelling molecular physics to secure communication, and artificial intelligence. While there is much promise and progress, there remain significant obstacles to the widespread use of quantum systems. In particular, the integration of quantum systems with mass-production-ready electronic components is not at commercially viable levels yet. The number of quantum circuits is still limited to just over 100 quantum-bits (qubits) while as many as 1M may be needed. Thus, increasing integration is necessary for scaling up current systems bringing us closer to realizing the theorized quantum advantages. To advance the development of quantum computers and sensors, new integrated circuits (ICs) and technologies are still necessary to control and readout of many qubits. Superconducting and semiconductor quantum devices are ideal candidates to be controlled and readout by such ICs. This program will focus on developing and demonstrating cryo-electronic circuits to readout, control, and drive qubits and quantum gates by using "room"-temperature and recently developed non-Hermitian Hamiltonians approaches to optimize their performance. Over the next 5 years, the focus of this program will be on a) developing cryo-CMOS ICs for interfacing, controlling, and driving qubits; and b) investigating parity-time symmetry to improve the sensitivity of the circuits both in a) and those that are used for classical "room"-temperature systems. The long-term goal of this research is to demonstrate a fully integrated quantum computing/sensing systems based on innovative technologies developed with this program. Our HQP will learn the cutting-edge cryogenic circuit design and measurement techniques. They will be involved in the collaborations with researchers from Physics and UCalgary Quantum City and be exposed to the latest quantum computing/sensing developments. They will develop new technologies, design and fabricate circuits, and ultimately experimentally confirm their ideas in our laboratory. All these will prepare them well for future employment in Canadian semiconductor and the emerging quantum industries. The RTI funds will be used to upgrade our obsolete probe station to enhance HQP training, enable our HQP to experimentally demonstrate their design, and disseminate the research outcomes at high-impact venues. A probe station is a key tool for any IC laboratory without which many direct IC measurements are impossible. Experimental demonstration is important in our field where simulations are not adequate as they do not account for all subtleties.