Quantum technology: Europe is banking on Grenoble

Grenoble-based research project QuCube won an ERC Synergy Grant of €14 million over six years to develop a quantum processor. The grant is evidence that Grenoble’s research and innovation ecosystem is gaining traction internationally.

Leti, INAC, and Institut Néel will receive €14 million from 2019 to 2024 to develop a quantum processor with at least a hundred physical qubits. The researchers could make the first-ever functional logic qubit and, in the process, achieve a major advance toward scaling up the technology.

Advances in basic science and technological breakthroughs

The researchers will have to overcome a number of obstacles. They will have to select the processor architecture, test qubit variability, come up with a process to correct quantum errors, and address heat dissipation. This will require advances in basic science and technological breakthroughs.

The three institutes put forward some convincing arguments to secure the grant. Institut Néel and INAC have been conducting basic research in quantum computing for fifteen years. Together, INAC, Leti, and Institut Néel have achieved several world firsts, the most recent of which was a 300 mm CMOS qubit.

More generally, however, it was the high quality of Grenoble’s research and innovation ecosystem and, especially, a proven track record building partnerships that span academic research and industry that tipped the balance. In the field of CMOS technology, Grenoble is home to strong, long-term partnerships and new partnerships are already being formed in the area of quantum computing. Most notably, the Grenoble-Alpes University Quantum Engineering project, which kicked off in 2017, will receive funding of €1.7 million over four years.

Contact: maud.vinet@cea.fr

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