Diamond Qubit Flip-Chip Assembly for Flexible Quantum Circuit Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for fabricating integrated solid-state quantum circuits face challenges in flexibility of circuit design, isolation between components, and difficulty in determining signal absence due to misalignment or fabrication issues, particularly when using diamond substrates and requiring interconnection technologies that avoid wire bonding.

Innovation Solution

A flip-chip assembly method is developed, where a diamond substrate with qubits is bonded to a second semiconductor substrate hosting control and read-out structures, enabling vertical integration and avoiding wire bonding, with the option to include a third chip for read-out structures, using techniques like metal-to-semiconductor bonding and thermal-compression bonding for alignment and bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If monolithic fabrication process is used to integrate semiconductor substrate, control structures and read-out structures in one device, then integration is achieved, but flexibility in circuit design is reduced and isolation between components is poorer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in circuit designVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the ISSQC into separate fabricatable components: a semiconductor substrate with qubits, control structures, and read-out structures, which can be independently fabricated and then integrated through flip-chip assembly. This segmentation enables flexible circuit design while maintaining component isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If monolithic fabrication process is used, then integration is achieved, but quality control testing cannot be performed on individual components before assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality control capabilityVSAvoidfabrication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary quality control testing of the semiconductor substrate, control structures, and read-out structures before final integration through flip-chip assembly. This preliminary action allows detection and correction of fabrication issues in individual components, improving overall reliability without significantly impacting fabrication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate fabrication of distinct devices is used for semiconductor substrate and semiconductor devices, then separate optimization is enabled, but interconnection technology demands increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparate optimization capabilityVSAvoidinterconnection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a flip-chip assembly process with bonding pads and interconnection structures as intermediaries between the separately fabricated semiconductor substrate and semiconductor devices. This intermediary approach enables separate optimization of qubits and control structures while simplifying interconnection through standardized bonding interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Volume of moving object

If wire bonding is used for interconnection, then connection is achieved, but form factor increases and thermal management becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip sizeVSAvoidinterconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from planar wire bonding to vertical flip-chip interconnection, moving the connection dimension from two-dimensional to three-dimensional. This dimensional change reduces the form factor by eliminating extensive wire bonds, simplifies manufacturing through direct bonding, and improves thermal management by providing vertical thermal pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for decoupling of fabrication processes, reducing chip size, improving thermal management, and enabling separate optimization of qubits and control structures, while facilitating easier quality control and smaller form factors.

Implementation Method 1

using techniques like metal-to-semiconductor bonding and thermal-compression bonding for alignment and bonding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal-compression bonding:

Implementation Method 2

using techniques like metal-to-semiconductor bonding and thermal-compression bonding for alignment and bonding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMetal-to-semiconductor bonding:

Data Source

PatentEP4404260A1Flip chip assembly
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 QUANTUM BRILLIANCE GMBH
  • EP4404260A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4404260A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4404260A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A flip-chip assembly (1) of an integrated solid-state quantum circuit is disclosed. The assembly comprises a first chip (10) hosting a plurality of qubits in a first semiconductor substrate (12) and a second chip (20) comprising a second semiconductor substrate (22) bonded to the first chip (10). The second chip (20) comprises a plurality of control structures (24) and read-out structures (26) and the first semiconductor substrate (12) is a diamond substrate. The document also teaches fabrication of the flip-chip assembly.