Complex road to quantum computers
Quantum computing has huge potential with respect to developing new solutions in materials, pharmaceuticals and other complex problems. However, despite enormous computational gains, there are still challenges to overcome in regards to the quantum nature of the calculating units (qubits). The handling of quantum information is a tricky and not-yet standardized technology, but how we do it will be the key to making the most of these powerful machines. For example, due to the laws of quantum mechanics a qubit cannot be copied, because as soon as it is measured the state collapses. This makes storing information in a quantum state difficult. Nijmegen-based PiCard Systems specifically works on these and other technology bottlenecks. The goal is to enhance output and facilitate real world use cases. Viktoria Eless, founder of PiCard Systems: “These are key steps to achieving the highly anticipated goals of quantum computing.”
PiCard: Quality control as a first step
A first step toward a standard method of storing qubits is to check their quality. To that end, PiCard Systems has developed a ‘table top’ quality control system which will scan the surface optically allowing for rapid defect detection over a large areas. This makes the system scalable in the future for large production volumes. "With this funding, we want to develop our quality control system from a proof-of-principle to a proof-of-concept, demonstrating that the product works in practice so that we can sell it to users of quantum computers. That's the start for us; we eventually want to develop a complete solution for quantum memory", says Eless.
"Quantum computing is becoming more and more mature. An ecosystem of companies and knowledge institutions working on the development of this key technology has emerged in the Netherlands and certainly in the eastern Netherlands. One challenge here is that it lacks supporting hardware, such as storage. That hardware is necessary if we want to exploit the potential of quantum technology. PiCard Systems holds part of the solution,” explains Jacob Issa, investment manager Tech at Oost NL.
Only in Nijmegen
PiCard Systems work is the surprising outcome of fundamental research undertaken at the HFML-FELIX Laboratory, at Radboud University in Nijmegen. The intense lasers combined with high magnetic field create the necessary conditions for the most fundamental kind of investigative work, which could not have been done elsewhere in the world. “Without the support of the whole team at FELIX it would not have been possible to get to this point.”, adds Viktoria Eless.
Next steps
10 years of research by a collaboration of the University of Surrey, UCL and Radboud University laid the foundations for the technology. It was made possible by the tunable wavelength and high power of FELIX laser and the high magnetic fields of HFML. In winter 2022, thanks to Prof. Britta Redlich, PiCard Systems received a grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) to feel out the commercial feasibility of the concept. The research continues, and is made possible by the great support from the whole HFML-FELIX team and exciting and challenging lie ahead, but this funding starts a new chapter. Eless: “The quality control system will need testing with the various material combinations being used, but it is very exciting to be within reach of improving qubit quality and removing a bottleneck for manufacturers! We are growing the team and laying the foundations of our technology, but it’s also time to get out there.”
About VFF Gelderland
Oost NL is fund manager of Vroegefasefinanciering Gelderland (early stage funding Gelderland, VFF Gelderland), an instrument funded by the province of Gelderland and the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RvO). Startup supporter Mercator Launch helped the company in the application process.
