Hermetic Multi-Waveguide Interconnects for Scalable Quantum Qubits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited number of microwave ports on existing dilution refrigerator plates restricts the number of qubits in a quantum computer to about 60, and each feedthrough connector introduces a potential point of failure due to o-ring seals, limiting access to the vacuum environment.
Innovation Solution
A hermetic connector assembly with an exterior multi-waveguide connector, an interior multi-waveguide connector, and a dielectric plate that maintains the refrigerated vacuum environment while allowing high-density electromagnetic connections between the qubit chip and the exterior, enabling access to a larger number of qubits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If existing plates with feedthrough connectors are used, then the vacuum environment can be maintained, but the number of microwave ports is limited to 200, restricting the number of qubits to about 60
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple waveguide connectors are integrated into a single hermetic plate assembly, allowing dozens of microwave ports to be accessed through one consolidated connection point rather than requiring individual feedthrough connectors for each port
Solution Approach 2:
The hermetic plate provides a two-dimensional surface for integrating multiple waveguide connectors, enabling high-density port allocation without increasing the number of vertical feedthrough penetrations through the vacuum boundary
2Reliability
If individual feedthrough connectors with o-ring seals are used for each microwave port, then vacuum sealing is achieved, but each connector introduces a potential point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple waveguide connectors are integrated into a single hermetic plate assembly, reducing the number of separate vacuum seals from dozens of individual feedthrough connectors to just one or a few seals at the plate level
Solution Approach 2:
The o-ring seals are extracted from individual feedthrough connectors and consolidated into the hermetic plate structure itself, eliminating the need for multiple discrete sealing components
3Quantity of substance
If the number of access ports is increased to accommodate more qubits, then more qubits can be connected, but the vacuum environment becomes harder to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The hermetic plate provides a two-dimensional surface for integrating multiple waveguide connectors, enabling high-density port allocation without increasing the number of vertical feedthrough penetrations through the vacuum boundary
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple waveguide connectors are integrated into a single hermetic plate assembly, allowing dozens of microwave ports to be accessed through one consolidated connection point rather than requiring individual feedthrough connectors for each port
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 solution dramatically increases the number of accessible qubits while maintaining the superconductivity environment, reducing the risk of failures associated with o-ring seals and enabling high-density connections.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric plate arranged between and hermetically sealable with the exterior multi-waveguide connector and the interior multi-waveguide connector. The dielectric plate permits electromagnetic energy when carried by the interior and exterior pluralities of electromagnetic waveguides to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 2
hermetic connector assembly operatively connecting the interior electromagnetic waveguides to the exterior electromagnetic waveguides while maintaining the refrigerated vacuum environment
Data Source
AI summary
A quantum computer includes a refrigeration system under vacuum including a containment vessel, a qubit chip contained within a refrigerated vacuum environment defined by the containment vessel. The quantum computer further includes a plurality of interior electromagnetic waveguides and a plurality of exterior electromagnetic waveguides. The quantum computer further includes a hermetic connector assembly operatively connecting the interior electromagnetic waveguides to the exterior electromagnetic waveguides while maintaining the refrigerated vacuum environment. The hermetic connector assembly includes an exterior multi-waveguide connector, an interior multi-waveguide connector, and a dielectric plate arranged between and hermetically sealed with the exterior multi-waveguide connector and the interior multi-waveguide connector. The dielectric plate permits electromagnetic energy when carried by the interior and exterior pluralities of electromagnetic waveguides to pass therethrough.