Split-Gate Quantum Dot Circuit for Tunable Electron Tunneling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Control of coherent electron spin states in quantum dots is limited by short coherence times, making qubits fragile and challenging to protect from the surrounding environment for sufficient logic operations.

Innovation Solution

A split accumulation gate geometry is used, with a reservoir gate and a quantum dot gate placed on a semiconductor substrate, creating a natural tunnel barrier between the reservoir and the quantum dot, allowing for tunable electron tunneling control without additional barrier gates, facilitating initialization, control, and readout of qubits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If additional barrier gates are used to control electron tunneling between reservoir and quantum dot, then tunneling control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetunneling control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the reservoir gate and quantum dot gate into a single integrated gate structure that controls electron tunneling to both the reservoir and quantum dot. This merging eliminates the need for separate barrier gates while maintaining precise tunneling control through unified gate voltage regulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated gate structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the reservoir gate and quantum dot gate, controlling electron population in both regions. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of gates required while preserving full control capability over electron tunneling processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If more gates are added to control tunnel barriers, then control functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the reservoir gate and quantum dot gate into a single structure, the patent reduces the number of independent control parameters from multiple gate voltages to a smaller set, simplifying the operational control while maintaining comprehensive functionality for initializing, controlling, and reading out qubit states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies the design and control of quantum dots, enhancing coherence times and enabling scalable integration of spin qubits in quantum computing, allowing for efficient initialization, single qubit and two-qubit operations, and readout processes.

Implementation Method 1

allowing for tunable electron tunneling control without additional barrier gates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron tunneling:

Implementation Method 2

A split accumulation gate geometry is used, with a reservoir gate and a quantum dot gate placed on a semiconductor substrate, creating a natural tunnel barrier between the reservoir and the quantum dot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic confinement: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP3469636B1Electronic circuit for control or coupling of single charges or spins and methods therefor
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 SCOPRA SCI & GENIE SEC
  • EP3469636B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3469636B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(g)
  • EP3469636B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A quantum dot structure having a split-gate geometry is provided. The quantum dot is configured for incorporation into a quantum dot array of a quantum processing unit. A gap between a reservoir accumulation gate and a quantum dot accumulation gate provides a tunnel barrier between an electric charge reservoir and a quantum dot well. An electrical potential applied to the gates defines a tunnel barrier height, width and charge tunneling rate between the well and the reservoir without relying on any barrier gate to control the charge tunneling rate.