Mechanism and method for closing a box intended to contain a qubit circuit or component

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism (1) for closing a box (10) intended to contain a qubit circuit or component, the box having first (11) and second (12) parts designed to form a closed container, the mechanism comprising: - first means (2) for supporting the first part; - at least one arm (3) for receiving the first supporting means (2); - at least one arm (4) for gripping the second part; and - means (5) for sliding the at least one gripping arm (4) relative to the at least one receiving arm (3).

Description

mechanism and method for closing a box intended to contain a qubit component or circuit

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a mechanism for closing or assembling a housing containing a qubit component or circuit.

[0002] The fabrication of qubit components or circuits is very complex. A nano-assembly process is performed on the qubit component or circuit within a box, and then the qubit chip must be hermetically sealed inside the box. There is a need to propose an efficient and reproducible implementation method.

[0003] In the foregoing and in the remainder of the description, the following terms are understood to mean:

[0004] - quantum component or circuit, a set of electronic circuits and / or devices using nanotubes as conducting or semiconducting elements thereof, the circuits having single, double or multiple quantum dots, in series or in parallel, using a single nano-object having selected properties as channel elements, or a plurality of separately selected nano-objects;

[0005] - a quantum point, a portion of the nano-object in which an electron is trapped / confined in all three dimensions; it can only occupy discrete energy levels.

[0006] This objective is achieved through a mechanism for closing a box designed to contain a qubit component or circuit, said box having first and second parts designed to form a closed container, the mechanism comprising:

[0007] - initial means to support said first part,

[0008] - at least one arm to receive the aforementioned initial support means,

[0009] - at least one arm to grasp said second part, and

[0010] - means for sliding said at least one grasping arm relative to said at least one receiving arm.

[0011] The mechanism according to the invention makes it possible to improve the manufacturing conditions of a qubit component or circuit, especially during the positioning of the various elements.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the first means may include at least one indexing axis or at least one first indexing means.

[0013] According to an embodiment compatible in particular with one or more embodiments of the first means, in particular at least one indexing means, at least one receiving arm may include a receiving shape or surface and / or at least one second indexing means. At least one receiving arm may have various shapes or surfaces, for example, hollow, concave, or female.

[0014] For example, the first indexing means is of the male type, preferably at least one shaft or, for example, at least one spindle, or at least one trunnion. For example, the second indexing means is of the female type.

[0015] In one embodiment, the at least one receiving arm may comprise at least two arms, and the first means comprise at least two indexing points. For example, the two receiving arms are parallel. For example, the two indexing points are of the male type, preferably of the shaft type.

[0016] Preferably, the mechanism may include two receiving arms, preferably parallel to at least one grasping arm.

[0017] In one embodiment, the sliding means may include transmission means connected only to at least one gripping arm. For example, the sliding means may include a worm gear mechanism.

[0018] Preferably, the mechanism may include a positioning arm connected to the first means in order to position the first means relative to at least the receiving arms.

[0019] Preferably, the first and second parts of the box comprise a receptacle or support and a cover or lid. In one embodiment, the first means support the receptacle or support, and at least one grasping arm grasps the cover or lid.

[0020] Preferably, the box includes or contains carbon nanotubes. Preferably, the box does not include or contain superconductors.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, a chamber is proposed for manufacturing at least part of a qubit component or circuit, comprising a mechanism according to any one of the preceding characteristics of the previous aspect. Preferably, the chamber includes a means for vacuum or negative pressure.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, a method is proposed for assembling or closing a box intended to contain a qubit component or circuit, said box having first and second parts designed to form a closed container by means of a closing mechanism comprising:

[0023] - initial means, including at least one initial indexing means, to support said first part,

[0024] - at least one arm, comprising at least one second indexing means complementary to the first indexing means, for receiving said first support means,

[0025] - at least one arm to grasp the said second part,

[0026] - means for sliding said at least one grasping arm relative to said at least one receiving arm,

[0027] - at least one positioning arm,

[0028] The process includes the following steps:

[0029] - position initial support elements for the first part between at least one receiving arm and at least one grasping arm,

[0030] - pivot the first means, via the positioning arm, so as to insert or assemble at least one first indexing means with at least one second indexing means,

[0031] - slide at least one grab arm towards the first means.

[0032] Preferably the process is carried out under vacuum. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] Laest is a perspective view of a closure or assembly of a box intended to contain a qubit component or circuit according to an embodiment, comprising first support means, two receiving arms, two grasping arms and a positioning arm, the receiving and grasping arms being spaced so that the box is open;

[0034] This is consistent with the, except that the first means of support and the positioning arm are not shown;

[0035] This is consistent with the, the grasping arms being brought closer to the receiving arms and the sliding means have been moved forward so that the box is closed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] With reference to figures 1 to 3, a mechanism 1 is proposed for closing a box 10 intended to contain a qubit component or circuit, said box having first 11 and second 12 parts designed to form a closed container.

[0037] Qubit components or circuits are very complicated to manufacture, especially given that a vacuum chamber is required.

[0038] Once the nano-assembly process of the qubit component or circuit is complete, we want to hermetically seal the qubit chip inside a sample holder or receptacle 11 while it is still in our vacuum chamber.

[0039] This sample holder has an open top (which is necessary for nano-assembly), and the next step is to attach a lid 12 to this sample holder to make it airtight.

[0040] The mechanism is needed to push the lid onto the sample holder or receptacle 11 inside the vacuum chamber and apply sufficient force to compress a sealing gasket sufficiently to maintain the vacuum.

[0041] According to the embodiment shown, mechanism 1 comprises:

[0042] - of the first means 2 enabling the support of said first part, specifically the support or receptacle 11,

[0043] - two receiving arms 3 for receiving the aforementioned first support means 2,

[0044] - two gripping arms 4 for gripping said second part, especially the cover or lid 12, and

[0045] - sliding means 5 allowing the said grasping arms 4 to slide relative to the receiving arms 3.

[0046] Preferably, the first means are held by the positioning arm 6. The first means 2 are arranged at one end of the positioning arm 6. The positioning arm can slide along an axis, said positioning axis, which extends transversely or orthogonally to the direction or axis of the grasping and receiving arms. Preferably, the positioning arm can rotate or pivot along the same positioning axis, in particular to cooperate with or connect the first means to the receiving arms.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the first means 2 may include an indexing means, said first indexing means, in particular two indexing means 21. In light of Figures 1 and 3, the first indexing means are two shafts or pins 21 extending along the positioning axis or parallel to the positioning axis. The first indexing means are arranged behind the box or the first means 2, or on a face opposite the face holding the box. Preferably, the first indexing means 21 are arranged on each side of the first means or the box.

[0048] In addition, the receiving arms 3 include an indexing means, said second indexing means, in particular two indexing means 31. As shown in the figures, the second indexing means are two half-cylinders 31 extending along the positioning axis or parallel to the positioning axis. The second indexing means, in particular two indexing means 31, can receive the first indexing means. The second indexing means are arranged at a distal end of the receiving arms 3. Preferably, the receiving arms 3 are U-shaped so that the first means, held by the positioning arm 6, can slide between the two opposite arms of the U-shape. Preferably, the receiving arms 3 are fixed or static relative to the frame of the mechanism.

[0049] Preferably, the mechanism includes two gripping arms 4. According to the figures, two receiving arms 3 are parallel to the gripping arms 4. The gripping arms 4 are arranged between the receiving arms 3. The gripping arms 4 hold the lid or cover 12 of the box.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the sliding means may include transmission means connected only to the gripping arms 4. For example, the sliding means may include a gear and worm mechanism.

[0051] The present embodiment makes it possible to propose a particularly compact solution with means ensuring increased precision in applying the closing force necessary for a good seal.

[0052] Lamontre a mechanism 1 in which the case 10 is open and lamontre the mechanism 1 in which the case is in the closed position.

[0053] The sealing process is now described in more detail.

[0054] Preferably, the mechanism uses a linear transfer rod or positioning rod 6. The rod is used to bring the sample holder or the first means 2 closer, said rod being mounted on a rotator. As the rod moves closer, the sample holder is rotated so that two trunnions, or pins 21 on the sample holder engage with two complementary hooks 31 of the receiving arms 3 on the sealing mechanism.

[0055] The mechanism is then activated and the lid is pushed, via the gripping arms 4, onto the sample holder to compress the seal.

[0056] The vacuum chamber is then opened to the air and the lid is:

[0057] - either screwed into place via the accessible holes in the sealing mechanism,

[0058] - either fixed using an external clamping flange.

[0059] After this step, the sealing mechanism can be released / retracted, but it should be clear that when used during the sealing process the compressive force on the lid is never released.

[0060] The movement involved in sealing is only along a single axis.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the range of movement is approximately, for example, 50 mm.

[0062] Two different sample support / lid systems can be used, and therefore the mechanism must be able to accommodate these different designs. This mechanism can adapt to these different constraints.

Claims

1 Mechanism (1) for closing a box (10) intended to contain a qubit component or circuit, said box having first (11) and second (12) parts designed to form a closed container, the mechanism comprising: - first means (2) for supporting said first part, - at least one arm (3) for receiving said first support means (2), - at least one arm (4) for grasping said second part, and - means (5) for sliding said at least one grasping arm (4) relative to said at least one receiving arm (3). 2 Mechanism according to the preceding claim, wherein the first means (2) comprise at least one indexing means (21), preferably at least one shaft, for example at least one spindle. 3 Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one receiving arm comprises at least two arms (3), and the first means (2) comprise at least two indexing points. 4 Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two receiving arms (3), preferably parallel to at least one grasping arm (4). 5 Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sliding means (5) comprise transmission means connected only to at least one grasping arm (4). 6 Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sliding means (5) comprise a worm gear mechanism. 7 Mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a positioning arm (6) connected to the first means (“rotator”). 8 Chamber for manufacturing at least a part of a qubit component or circuit, comprising a mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. 9 Method for assembling or closing a box (10) intended to contain a qubit component or circuit, said box having first and second parts designed to form a container closed by means of a closing mechanism comprising: - first means (2), comprising at least one first indexing means (21), for supporting said first part, - at least one arm (3), comprising at least one second indexing means (31) complementary to the first indexing means (21), for receiving said first support means (2), - at least one arm (4) for grasping said second part, - means for sliding (5) said at least one grasping arm relative to said at least one receiving arm, - at least one positioning arm (6), the method comprising the following steps: - positioning first means (2) supporting the first part between the at least one receiving arm (3) and the at least one grasping arm (4), - pivoting the first means (2),via the positioning arm (6), so as to insert or assemble at least one first indexing means (21) with at least one second indexing means (31), - slide at least one gripping arm (4) towards the first means (2).

10. A method according to the preceding claim, in which it is carried out under vacuum.

Images