Technical digest - International Electron Devices Meeting/Technical digest
Cryo-CMOS Interfaces for Large-Scale Quantum Computers
Fabio Sebastiano, Jeroen P. G. van Dijk, P. A. T Hart, Bishnu Patra, Job van Staveren, Xiao Xue, Carmen G. Almudéver, Giordano Scappucci, Menno Veldhorst, Lieven M. K. Vandersypen, Andrei Vladimirescu, Stefano Pellerano, Masoud Babaie, Edoardo Charbon A
Cryogenic CMOS (cryo-CMOS) is a viable technology for the control interface of the large-scale quantum computers able to address non-trivial problems. In this paper, we demonstrate state-of-the-art cryo-CMOS circuits and systems for such application and we discuss the challenges still to be faced on the path towards practical quantum computers.
Cryogenic CMOS (cryo-CMOS) is a viable technology for the control interface of the large-scale quantum computers able to address non-trivial problems. In this paper, we demonstrate state-of-the-art cryo-CMOS circuits and systems for such application and we discuss the challenges still to be faced on the path towards practical quantum computers.
Quantum computing holds the potential to solve problems beyond the capabilities of classical computers. However, realizing practical large-scale quantum computers faces critical challenges, including the key bottleneck in wiring quantum processors operating at cryogenic temperatures to their room temperature control electronics. This article explores cryo-CMOS ICs as an enabling technology to circumvent such a wiring bottleneck. After reviewing the basics of quantum computing and the behavior of CMOS devices at cryogenic temperatures, the requirements for the interface electronics for superconducting and semiconductor qubits are discussed, and state-of-the-art cryo-CMOS circuit solutions are briefly described, including a few hints to other qubit platforms. Finally, the article concludes with an overview of future challenges to be addressed to realize the vision of cryo-CMOS technology as an enabler of large-scale quantum computers with practical applications.
Quantum computers1 could revolutionize computing in a profound way due to the massive speedup they promise. A quantum computer comprises a cryogenic quantum processor and a classical electronic controller. When scaling up the cryogenic quantum processor to at least a few thousands, and possibly millions, of qubits required for any practical quantum algorithm, cryogenic CMOS (cryo-CMOS) electronics is required to allow feasible and compact interconnections between the controller and the quantum processor. Cryo-CMOS leverages the CMOS fabrication infrastructure while exploiting the continuous improvement of performance and miniaturization guaranteed by Moore's law, in order to enable the fabrication of a cost-effective practical quantum computer. However, designing cryo-CMOS integrated circuits requires a new set of CMOS device models, their embedding in design and verification tools, and the possibility to co-simulate the cryo-CMOS/quantum-processor architecture for full-system optimization. In this paper, we address these challenges by focusing on their impact on the design of complex cryo-CMOS systems.
Quantum computing requires scalable, energyefficient control electronics at cryogenic temperatures. Cryogenic CMOS (cryo-CMOS) enables integration with quantum processors, operating below 4 K while leveraging advanced CMOS processes. This paper reviews cryo-CMOS circuits and systems developed from 2016 to 2025, covering device behavior, analog, mixedsignal, and digital circuits, and system-level integration for largescale quantum control. Multiple implementations are compared, highlighting trade-offs in power, noise, scalability, and temperature operation. Key trends include fully integrated Cryo-SoCs, hybrid CMOS-III-V technologies, and machine-learning-assisted calibration. Remaining challenges in modeling, energy dissipation, and thermal management are discussed, outlining a roadmap for nextgeneration cryo-CMOS quantum architectures.
A fault-tolerant quantum computer with millions of quantum bits (qubits) requires massive yet very precise control electronics for the manipulation and readout of individual qubits. CMOS operating at cryogenic temperatures down to 4 K (cryo-CMOS) allows for closer system integration, thus promising a scalable solution to enable future quantum computers. In this paper, a cryogenic control system is proposed, along with the required specifications, for the interface of the classical electronics with the quantum processor. To prove the advantages of such a system, the functionality of key circuit blocks is experimentally demonstrated. The characteristic properties of cryo-CMOS are exploited to design a noise-canceling low-noise amplifier for spin-qubit RF-reflectometry readout and a class-F2,3digitally controlled oscillator required to manipulate the state of qubits.
A systematic research on the development of cryogenic complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (cryo-CMOS) circuits, for implementing the required control electronics to manipulate the quantum bit (qubit) state, is performed over the last few years. Scalability constitutes a key term regarding the evolution of quantum computing from theory to practical application and CMOS technology has been proven to be a promising candidate for implementing the coveted scalable next-generation quantum computers (QCs). Mixed-signal blocks, used for uniting the analog and digital domains, play a key role in the efficient functionality of the qubit control/readout system, thus there is an ever-increasing interest in their high-performance circuit realization. The critical challenge in this venture is to achieve efficient cryogenic operation at low temperatures, i.e., close to the qubit around 4 K, simultaneously keeping power requirements at low values. An overview and comparison of the cryo-CMOS Digital-to-Analog converter (DAC) and Analog-to-Digital converter (ADC) circuit implementations for quantum computing applications that heretofore have been proposed in the literature is presented in this work. A discussion on the challenges and future strategic steps that are henceforth required to proceed toward the development of a functional scalable quantum computer is also conducted.
To scale up quantum computers to large number of qubits, there is a need to bring the classical interface electronics closer to the qubits operating at milli-Kelvin temperature. This has sparked a recent revival in cryo electronics research. This paper presents a short overview of recent state of the art, shows how nanoscale CMOS transistor properties are conveniently well suited for this task when properly modeled, and discusses a 4K superconducting dispersive readout circuit and a mK RF multiplexer as two examples.