Development of scalable ion-trap quantum computers with modular chip design, integrated control electronics and electric module interconnects

Universal Quantum Ltd.

Haywards Heath (United Kingdom) · Hamburg · SingaporeNew on Amplifa

Universal Quantum Ltd. (UK), GermanLegal form

3Locations (Haywards Heath, Hamburg, Singapore)

67 Mio. €Investment DLR-QCI project (2024)

over 100 Mio. USDSeries A

approx. 70 KOperating temperature of the systems

About Universal Quantum

Universal Quantum develops and manufactures scalable quantum computers based on ion-trap technology. The core of the architecture is the integrated quantum processor unit (iQPU), in which a vertically integrated ion-trap chip is combined with an application-specific IC (ASIC) and low-noise digital-to-analog converters. The classical control electronics are integrated directly at the quantum chip level, which reduces the wiring problem otherwise typical of large systems. Modules are connected via UQConnect, an electric-field link for qubit transport between modules; the system operates with microwave-based UQLogic at around 70 Kelvin instead of at millikelvin temperatures. Universal Quantum develops chips based on existing semiconductor fabrication and supports partners from government, industry and science in system simulations, quantum algorithms and use-case mapping. As part of the DLR Quantum Computing Initiative, the company is developing a single-chip and a multi-chip quantum computer with an initial capacity of up to 100 qubits, backed by a €67 million investment.

Site: RH16 1XQ Haywards Heath, United Kingdom
Processes: Development and construction of scalable ion-trap quantum computers, iQPU (integrated quantum processor unit) with integrated classical control electronics, UQConnect: electric-field interconnect for qubit transport between modules, UQLogic: microwave-based qubit control, System simulations and quantum algorithm development / use-case mapping with partners, Chip development (silicon semiconductor and ion-trap chips, ASIC, DACs)
Materials: Integrated Quantum Processor Unit, Electric-Field Interconnect, Microwave-Based Qubit Control, Thermal management at approx. 70 Kelvin
Certificates: Active error correction in the system design
Industries: Quantum computing, Research and development, Government agencies / public-sector clients, Semiconductor / chip development, Academic research, Industry (quantum applications)

01
Chip development (silicon semiconductor and ion-trap chips, ASIC, DACs)
02
Manufacturing of the chips using existing semiconductor technologies
03
Integration of ASIC, DACs and control electronics into the iQPU module
04
Module interconnects via UQConnect
05
System operation, error correction and software
06
Simulations, quantum algorithms and use-case development with partners

Technology and Processes

iQPU

Integrated Quantum Processor Unit

Vertically integrated ion-trap chip with ASIC and low-noise DACs, optimized for ion transport and high-precision quantum gates.

UQConnect

Electric-Field Interconnect

Transport of qubits between modules at 2424 connections per second and a transmission fidelity of 99.999993 percent.

UQLogic

Microwave-Based Qubit Control

Control of individual qubits with just a few gate fields at any system scale.

70K

Thermal management at approx. 70 Kelvin

Mild cooling instead of mK operation reduces ion heating, lowers error rates and simplifies thermal management.

Locations

Haywards Heath

Headquarters (Gemini House, Mill Green Business Estate)

Materials: Ion-trap chips, ASIC, DACs

Hamburg

Location of Universal Quantum Deutschland GmbH (Willy-Brandt-Str. 59)

Singapore

R&D Competence Centre, first location outside Europe, Asia-Pacific R&D

Systems and Modules

**Multi-chip quantum computer (up to 100 qubits)**Ion-trap technology · Quantum computing

**iQPU module**Vertically integrated chip with ASIC · Quantum computing

Inside the production

Universal Quantum – quantum computer system

Industries

Quantum computingResearch and developmentGovernment agencies / public-sector clientsSemiconductor / chip developmentAcademic researchIndustry (quantum applications)

Additional services

Development and construction of scalable ion-trap quantum computersiQPU (integrated quantum processor unit) with integrated classical control electronicsUQConnect: electric-field interconnect for qubit transport between modulesUQLogic: microwave-based qubit controlSystem simulations and quantum algorithm development / use-case mapping with partnersChip development (silicon semiconductor and ion-trap chips, ASIC, DACs)

Reference customers

German Aerospace Center (DLR) – DLR Quantum Computing Initiative (QCI)

Quality and Reliability

The systems rely on active error correction as a central component of the design; UQConnect was experimentally validated with a transmission fidelity of 99.999993 percent.

Evidence	Haywards Heath
Active error correction in the system design

History

2024
05.07.2024: Announcement of the DLR-QCI project for the development of a scalable, user-friendly quantum processor based on ion-trap technology; investment of €67 million in single-chip and multi-chip quantum computers with an initial capacity of up to 100 qubits.
Series A of over 100 million USD, supported by a global investor syndicate of sovereign, institutional, deep-tech and quantum specialist investors (year not stated in the source).
Establishment of the first R&D Competence Centre outside Europe in Singapore, anchoring the Asia-Pacific R&D activities (year not stated in the source).