Atotech Partners with QSolid in the Endeavor to Develop Germany’s First Quantum Computer

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Atotech, a global market leader for specialty chemicals, equipment, software, and services, is one of the technology companies involved in developing Germany’s first error-improved quantum computer. The task is brought to life by QSolid, a joint project of 25 German research institutions and companies. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research with 76.3 million euros over the next five years.

Numerous manufacturers and start-ups are working together to set up a national development and supply chain in preparation of commercializing an independent quantum computer made in Germany. All involved project partners such as Atotech have the opportunity early on to set industrial standards and to develop potential uses.

Brian Daniels, Vice President R&D, said: “Atotech is committed to innovation, and we look forward to collaborate with the consortium partners on new solutions to enable quantum computing. It is highly motivating to work with so many partners on such a cutting-edge program, and we are very proud to be part of the QSolid team.”

As part of the supply-chain segment of the project, Atotech is responsible for the electrolytic deposition of indium onto suitable superconducting substrates. Indium is needed to connect the sensitive qubit wafer, which represents the logic of the quantum computer, to the interposer and the readout wafer. “The main challenge, however, is to create a set of layers that is compatible with the high demands of superconducting quantum computing,” said Ralf Schmidt, R&D Manager for Semiconductor at Atotech. “The quantum computer requires interconnects that are superconductive at temperatures above 1 K. Our experts at Atotech are developing a process for indium deposition which aims to cover these requirements.”

QSolid recently announced a joint project among 25 German research institutes and companies to develop an error-improved quantum computer, made in Germany. The objective is to set up a comprehensive ecosystem embedded in the supercomputing environment at the research center in Juelich, Germany. The ecosystem then shall be made accessible to external users. A first demonstrator of the quantum computer is planned to start operating in mid-2024.

Though still in an early stage of development, quantum computers one day promise breakthroughs in the field of materials and drug development or in the optimization of traffic control. In the future, they could be far superior to conventional supercomputers for certain tasks.