Ion Quantum Technology (IQT)

This project seeks funding to acquire a state-of-the-art modular cryostat with high-cooling power, essential for advancing research in quantum computing and quantum technologies at the University of Sussex. The cryostat is central to the University’s plans to upgrade its quantum research laboratories; securing external funding for this key equipment will allow this upgrade to proceed to an optimal specification. Quantum computing, long hailed as one of the 'holy grails' of science, is now advancing rapidly. It holds the promise of significantly impacting people's lives by driving breakthroughs on some of the most pressing global issues. Indeed, quantum computers are set to find transformative applications in the development of medicines, highly advanced materials and food security, as well as potentially unlocking solutions to the climate crisis. Over the last 5 years, the field has rallied unprecedented global support, with countries such as the UK, US, France, Germany, China, and India declaring quantum computing a national priority and investing over $1 billion each. Sussex has established a leading position in this field, and this project is critical for maintaining and enhancing that status. The Sussex Ion Quantum Technology (IQT) group is developing practical, utility-scale ion-trap quantum computers. Over the past decade, the IQT group at Sussex has made many seminal advances. These include the demonstration of a novel entanglement approach that overcomes key technological challenges enabling machines with millions of qubits as well as a blueprint for constructing large-scale quantum computers capable of solving important societal and industry problems. The group holds the world record for speed and accuracy in distributing quantum information between networked quantum computing microchips. Their effort is complemented by a number of researchers within the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies as well as researchers across other academic schools at Sussex interested in the application of quantum computing. Collaborations have also developed with researchers at other universities (UCL, Imperial, Southampton, Bristol). Installation of the cryostat will allow researchers to access the wealth of expertise in silicon microfabrication. In order to operate quantum computing ion microchips, the heat conductivity of the chip must be sufficiently large as a lot of heat is dissipated on these chips via integrated current-carrying wires and other integrated on-chip electronics. The only material with sufficient heat conductivity at room temperature is diamond. Carrying out microfabrication with diamond is extremely challenging. Silicon has a much reduced heat conductivity at room temperature but exhibits similar heat conductivity at an operating temperature of 70K. Therefore, to ensure that the next-generation ion-trap quantum computers can make use of Silicon microchips, it is vital that we operate all our quantum computing prototypes at around 70K. Using this cryostat, our quantum computing setups will be cooled to 70K, therefore allowing us to access silicon microfabrication. Procurement of the cryostat would enable simultaneous operation of three next-generation quantum computer prototype machines. The laboratories will feature truly world-leading specifications including passive and active noise cancellation and +/-0.1ºK temperature stabilisation, a critical ingredient in our long term work towards the construction of utility-scale quantum computers capable of solving important industry problems. This capital equipment proposal supports the University of Sussex’s broader vision of establishing a national centre for quantum-computing excellence, fostering academic-industry partnerships, and developing skills in quantum technologies.