Equal1 Makes Quantum Leap with World’s First Multi-Tile Quantum Controller Chip
Ireland-based Equal1, a spin-off from University College Dublin, has announced a major breakthrough in quantum computing: the world’s first multi-tile quantum controller chip. This pioneering chip, integrated into the company’s UnityQ Quantum-System-on-Chip platform, operates at an incredibly cold 300 millikelvin, powered by Arm’s Cortés core microprocessors.
This advancement signifies a significant step towards building larger, more powerful quantum computers. "The vision for Equal1 has been decades in the making," says Equal1’s president and chief physicist, Dirk Leipold.
“I am very proud of what we have accomplished over the past 6 years, and I am excited about what the future holds as we launch the era of scalable quantum computing,” he adds.
The development boasts several notable advancements. A key feature is its patented AI enabled qubit adaptive error correction, fine-tuned for each tile and controlled by Arm’s Cortex processor. This approach holds great promise for real-time error correction while providing flexibility for various error correction algorithms. "With the integration of Arm technology at cryogenic temperatures, Equal1 is at the forefront of building a next-generation Quantum System-on-Chip," said Dermot O’Driscoll, vice president of product solutions at Arm.
Beyond the innovative controller chip, Equal1 has also demonstrated world-leading performance for its silicon qubit array chips, further validating the power of silicon as a platform for scalable quantum computing.
“Quantum commuting has the potential to revolutionise data processing for multiple uses, ranging from complex financial modeling to life-saving drug discovery," explained O’Driscoll
Turbulence, or "noise," is a major challenge in maintaining quantum computation. Equal1 demonstrated single and two-qubit gates achieving world-leading performance: a single qubit gate showcasing a fidelity, or accuracy measurement, of 99.4%, with a gate speed of 84 nanoseconds. A two-qubit gate achieved a 98.4% fidelity at a gate speed of 72 nanoseconds.
This achievement came with a six-qubit array built using a silicon germanium CMOS process compatible with existing manufacturing techniques. "Equal1 has always believed that silicon is the vehicle to scale quantum computers," shared Elena Blokhina, Equal1’s chief scientific officer.
“And today, with these world-leading qubit and control chip results, we have taken a major step towards this vision,” she emphasized.
Nodar Samkharadze, Equal1’s chief quantum architect, added, “This result demonstrates the massive benefit of silicon qubits, the ability to achieve the performance required for scaling in two key areas — fidelity and speed of quantum gates.”
The company’s previous milestones include demonstrating in 2021 a fully integrated quantum processor unit (QPU) operating at 3.7 Kelvin, a highly competitive temperature for this technology.
Looking ahead, Equal1 has launched a collaboration with Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company. Their joint work will see Equal1’s unique hardware combined with Nvidia CUDA-Q software platform, focusing on linkages Liam for building a next generation Quantum software platform.
What specific role does Arm’s Cortex-M processor play in Equal1’s multi-tile quantum controller chip?
## Equal1’s Multi-Tile Quantum Controller: A Conversation with Dirk Leipold
**Interviewer:** Dr. Leipold, congratulations on Equal1’s groundbreaking achievement! You’ve just announced the world’s first multi-tile quantum controller chip. What does this mean for the future of quantum computing?
**Dr. Leipold:** Thank you! This is indeed a significant step. Our multi-tile controller chip is a crucial component in building larger, more powerful quantum computers. It allows us to scale up the number of qubits we can control simultaneously, which is essential for tackling complex problems.
**Interviewer:** Can you elaborate on the key features of this new chip?
**Dr. Leipold:** Certainly. The chip is integrated into our UnityQ Quantum-System-on-Chip platform and operates at an ultra-low temperature of 300 milliKelvin. It’s powered by Arm’s Cortex-M processors, a testament to the power and versatility of this technology even in cryogenic environments.
**Interviewer:** Equal1 highlights a unique AI-enabled qubit adaptive error correction system. How does this work?
**Dr. Leipold:** Quantum computers are inherently prone to errors. Our patented technology uses AI algorithms to constantly monitor and correct errors in real-time, specifically tailored for each tile on the chip. This significantly improves the reliability and accuracy of our quantum computations.
**Interviewer:**
Arm seems to be playing a pivotal role in this development.
**Dr. Leipold:** Absolutely. Our collaboration with Arm has been instrumental. Their Cortex processors provide the processing power required for our complex error correction algorithms, demonstrating the potential of Arm technology in the quantum computing space.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are the next steps for Equal1?
**Dr. Leipold:** We are extremely excited about the future. This multi-tile controller chip is a major milestone, but it’s just the beginning. We will continue to develop and refine our technology, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in quantum computing. Our ultimate goal is to make scalable quantum computers a reality, opening up new possibilities across various fields like medicine, materials science, and artificial intelligence.
