Solid-State Quantum Processor Shielding for Radiation-Induced Charge Noise
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Quantum computers face significant errors due to high energy radiation, particularly from cosmic and gamma rays, which create electron-hole pairs that cause charge noise and disrupt qubit operations, leading to correlated errors that overwhelm quantum error correction mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor-based quantum processor design with a shielding structure, including a ground plane or metal plate to absorb or extract electron-hole pairs, and a ground plane interspersed with spacer layers to shield qubits from charge noise at the semiconductor-dielectric interface, reducing the impact of high-energy radiation and charge noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shielding structure is added to protect qubits from high-energy radiation, then qubit stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding structure is divided into multiple discrete layers (first shielding layer, second shielding layer, third shielding layer) with different materials and positions, allowing targeted protection against different radiation types while maintaining manufacturing feasibility and enabling optimized placement between the substrate and qubit layer
Solution Approach 2:
Electron-hole pair extraction structures are introduced as intermediary elements between the radiation source and qubits. These structures actively extract harmful charge carriers before they can reach the qubits, providing a mechanism-based solution that goes beyond passive shielding and addresses the root cause of radiation-induced errors
2Reliability
If electron-hole pair extraction structures are added to reduce charge noise, then qubit error rates are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electron-hole pair extraction structures serve multiple functions: they extract charge carriers generated by high-energy radiation, reduce charge noise at the semiconductor-dielectric interface, and can be integrated with existing device fabrication processes. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural elements by providing compound benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction structures are positioned and configured in advance during fabrication to proactively prevent charge noise accumulation before it can affect qubit operations. By establishing the extraction mechanism beforehand, the system preemptively addresses radiation effects rather than reacting to errors after they occur
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
The design effectively mitigates the effects of cosmic and gamma rays, reducing correlated qubit errors and maintaining qubit stability, allowing for more reliable operation of quantum computers.
Implementation Method 1
a shielding structure formed between the bulk layer and the qubit layer, the shielding structure configured to shield the qubit layer from electric field generated in the bulk layer due to high-energy radiation
Implementation Method 2
The shielding structure is also configured to recombine, absorb or extract electron-hole pairs created in the bulk layer due to high-energy radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method for reducing effect of high energy radiation or charge noise on solid state quantum processors are disclosed. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a quantum computing system is provided that includes: a semiconductor substrate, comprising a bulk layer and a qubit layer and a dielectric forming an interface with the semiconductor substrate. One or more qubits are formed in the qubit layer. The system further includes a shielding structure formed either between the bulk layer and the qubit layer or between the qubit layer and the interface. The shielding structure configured to shield the qubit layer from electric field generated in the bulk layer due to high-energy radiation or shield the qubit layer from charge noise generated in the interface.