Grant: Alliance Grants

Quantum computing (QC) will fundamentally change the way information is transmitted and processed in the next decade. This transformation is expected to impact the telecommunication industry. An area of strategic importance for the telecom sector and Ciena is how to maintain secure communication when a quantum computer has the potential to break many cryptography systems. The telecommunications sector could make use of quantum computers for many applications in the future, including quantum cryptography, network optimization, quantum networking in terrestrial fiber networks, and AI applications. While there are many approaches to implement qubits, the basic building blocks of quantum computers, Ciena is interested in investigating the viability of using Si technology, the preferred hardware platform for telecommunication systems. Ciena expects that the proposed research will demonstrate experimentally the potential for Si-based qubits with the required high-speed electronic controller circuitry and the possibility for operating above 4 K and, later, at even higher temperatures.We will (i) study the potential of the most advanced commercial 3nm FinFET technology for quantum processors (QPs) operating above 4 K, (ii) develop behavioural models for hole-spin qubit gates, and (iii) investigate experimentally the manufacturability of one-dimensional (1D) linear quantum dot (QD), coupled QD, and linear qubit arrays with more than 256 single-spin and double-spin qubits in production CMOS for integration with the control and readout electronics in monolithic QPs. Our scalable QP has the potential to revolutionize computing. Within 10 years, such a quantum computer will be about the size of a desktop computer, small enough to be deployed in workplaces, hospitals, doctors' offices, and homes. Thus, our world-class technology and research will enable global leadership in QC by allowing us to be among the first to demonstrate low-cost, elevated temperature, monolithic QPs, creating new products and business opportunities, and helping to solve so-far intractable problems to the benefit of Canadians.