This initiative, led by the US Government, seeks to determine whether it’s possible to build an industrially useful quantum computer much faster than conventional predictions. It represents a tangible investment by the US Government in progress toward realising the promise of commercially viable quantum computing systems.

The QBI Stage A program is designed to verify and validate different quantum computing approaches – including Diraq’s, which employs silicon spin qubits based on the CMOS manufacturing methods used for making today’s computer chips. This initial due diligence will focus on Diraq’s quantum hardware and approach to achieving utility-scale operation – meaning its computational value exceeds its build and operational costs – by the year 2033.

The DARPA QBI programme entails increasing levels of scrutiny into proposed system designs and configurations, each intended to test and evaluate the robustness of the quantum technology concepts and determine their potential for building the world’s first utility-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer.

Diraq is headquartered in Australia and is on a growth trajectory, recently opening up operations in the US. The firm is pioneering a unique technology to rapidly achieve utility-scale quantum operations based on silicon quantum dot spin qubits monolithically integrated with classical CMOS electronics.

Andrew Dzurak, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Diraq, stated: “Diraq’s focus is to design, build, and deploy the world’s first truly utility-scale quantum computer.  We are pleased to be selected by DARPA and the US Government for this focus on full-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate our CMOS quantum dot qubit approach.

“We are leveraging exceptional technical capabilities and extensive experience within our consortium, having partnered with the best teams worldwide. We are confident that our combined expertise, designs, and technologies can rapidly deliver a commercially viable quantum system concept in terms of capex per system, plus realistic considerations around equipment footprint, scalability, sustainability and operating costs.”

Diraq is leading a consortium of top companies from Australia, the UK and USA, to deliver a powerful combination of expertise in quantum systems and technologies to accelerate innovation in qubit fabrication and control systems.

In Australia, Diraq will be joined by the ex-Microsoft team of Professor Reilly and Dr Ohki, who, under their new entity Emergence Quantum, will provide expertise in system architecture design, classical cryo-CMOS electronics, qubit readout and control.

Emergence co-founder Dr Thomas Ohki remarked: “Performing under DARPA programs raises the bar significantly and we are delighted to continue to participate in such programs now in partnership with Diraq.”

Quantum computers hold the potential to dramatically accelerate the pace of discovery across the science and technology landscape and tackle some of society’s most complex issues, from designing new materials for clean energy to accelerating drug discovery and optimizing supply chains. Achieving this will necessitate the development of advanced techniques known as quantum error correction (QEC).

Riverlane, the global leader in quantum error correction (QEC) technology, will support Diraq with state-of-the-art QEC software and hardware solutions to ensure reliable real-time quantum error correction.

Steve Brierley, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Riverlane, commented: “Quantum error correction is essential for scaling quantum computing from hundreds of reliable operations to the billions or trillions needed for commercial applications. At Riverlane, we are building the world’s most advanced quantum error correction solutions and are excited to support Diraq and its consortium. By providing our technology and expertise, we aim to enable the critical data processing required for quantum error correction, accelerating the development of quantum computers with true industrial utility.”

The key to Diraq’s approach lies in leveraging the high-volume production capabilities of advanced semiconductor manufacturing foundries that can fabricate silicon quantum chips at scale and house the quantum chip in a compact cryogenic refrigerator alongside standard racks containing classical (non-quantum) processor units. 

Although not formal members of Diraq’s QBI consortium, Diraq has existing partnerships with US chip manufacturing powerhouse Global Foundries and imec in Europe. Both have significant capabilities in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and packaging.

Ted Letavic, Corporate Fellow and Senior Vice President at Global Foundries said: “Creating value with transformational technologies is at the core of our business. We are excited about supporting Diraq and their partners in the DARPA QBI program. This groundbreaking work will accelerate the path from lab to foundry for silicon-based quantum and cryo-CMOS control chips using our flexible and power-efficient 22FDX® FD-SOI platform.”

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