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SemiQon and CMC Microsystems announce a collaboration to accelerate development and access to quantum computing with silicon-based processors 

February 6, 2024 - SemiQon from Finland, and Canada’s CMC Microsystems announce a collaboration agreement to advance silicon-based quantum processor technology. Under the terms of the agreement, SemiQon will supply CMC with prototypes of its semiconductor-based quantum processor chips for research purposes. CMC scientists will collaborate with SemiQon to accelerate the development of processors for more powerful quantum computers suitable for the next generation of quantum computing – the million-qubit era.

The Promise of Quantum Computing 

Ambitions are high for quantum computing, for good reason. Quantum computers have the potential to solve some of humanity’s greatest problems, from developing life-saving drugs to achieving climate neutrality. However, widespread quantum adoption remains a challenge due to the limited capability of the quantum computation hardware currently. SemiQon builds a new type of quantum processor unit made from silicon, a semiconductor, as opposed to current approaches that are based on atoms or superconducting materials. This semiconductor-based solution responds to three major challenges that are currently slowing the development of quantum computers globally – scalability, price, and sustainability.  

CMC has been supporting and delivering cutting-edge semiconductor technology for forty years for researchers and industry. Since 2020, they have offered quantum services, with a strategy to democratize access to state-of-the-art quantum hardware and software technologies to the different sectors of the Canadian quantum ecosystem. CMC’s quantum team offers coding services and training on a variety of platforms, as well as design and fabrication services for microelectronics, MEMS, silicon photonics and superconducting devices. 

SemiQon & CMC: Complementary Expertise 

Both Finland and Canada have national quantum roadmaps with common goals to advance quantum computing and help bring its benefits to organizations and companies around the world. 

​​​​​For Janne Lehtinen @ SemiQon, working with CMC was a perfect opportunity for growth. “CMC’s philosophy of providing simplified access to leading-edge quantum computing platforms and services aligns perfectly with our vision to realize the promise of quantum computing by delivering a scalable, resilient, and cost-effective quantum processor technology.” The two firms already have a foundation to build on, Lehtinen added. “CMC has already worked with our other partner, VTT, to fabricate superconducting devices. They have a proven track record in quantum expertise and the talent to drive quantum research and development forward.” 

“SemiQon’s technology can be a game changer for scaling up quantum computers using current CMOS technology and infrastructure” said Udson Mendes, Quantum Team Leader at CMC Microsystems. “Based on our extensive experience with silicon-based semiconductors and a variety of quantum platforms, I am confident that the CMC team will help advance SemiQon’s technology.” 

Both SemiQon Technologies and CMC Microsystems commit to publicly disseminate the results obtained from this collaboration. “Our goal is to advance the entire quantum ecosystem worldwide.” 

As the collaboration progresses, updates and insights will be shared with the community.  

About CMC Microsystems: 

CMC Microsystems is a not-for-profit organization accelerating research and innovation in advanced technologies. Founded in 1984, CMC lowers barriers to technology adoption by creating and sharing platform technologies including access to state-of-the-art design, manufacturing, and testing capabilities. CMC enables research, development, and the training of highly qualified personnel (HQP), benefitting a network of over 10,000 academic participants and 1,000 companies developing innovations in advanced technologies. The key values of CMC are: benefits to Canada, a role as an honest broker, and research excellence.  

About SemiQon: 

SemiQon builds silicon-based quantum processors for the million-qubit era. SemiQon’s mission is to realize the promise of quantum computing by delivering scalability through powerful, resilient, and cost-effective quantum processors. SemiQon’s technology builds upon decades of development and know-how from the semiconductor industry, making its silicon processors commercially competitive and well-suited for mass-manufacturing. For more information, follow SemiQon’s journey on LinkedIn and online at www.semiqon.tech

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Kevin Dobie
CMC Microsystems
613-539-1027
Kevin.dobie@cmc.ca

Dr. Himadri Majumdar, CEO and Co-founder 
SemiQon 
Tel: +358 40658 9596 
himadri.majumdar@semiqon.tech   

Accelerate your project by adding CMC to your R&D team!

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