Archer Materials Ltd (ASX:AXE, OTC:ARRXF) has taken a significant step towards demonstrating a single qubit, after showing it can electrically control – or gate – its quantum single electron transistor (SET) devices. The achievement boosts the readout performance of the company’s 12CQ chip by improving how quantum information is extracted from the device.
The latest work confirms that Archer can accurately control its quantum device using electrical signals, enabling more precise readout of quantum information. It marks a major milestone on the company’s qubit roadmap and reduces technical risk along the readout pathway.
“Achieving readout and control is key for our qubit demonstration, and the qubit is the foundation in building a full quantum chip. Showing electrical gating within our quantum single SET devices helps us improve readout capabilities," AXE CEO Dr Simon Ruffell said.
"We’re developing the qubit technology on carbon nano onions and films. Although this work was done on our nano onions, it derisks the film material technology. By using carbon film materials, we can bolster the manufacturability our quantum technology, as films allow for better integration with conventional chip-making processes.”
Building on earlier device breakthroughs
The progress builds on SET device performance, where Archer demonstrated SET operation using carbon nano onions. The new results extend those findings to the company’s quantum carbon films and show that electrical gating can be achieved using these materials.
By demonstrating gating with its quantum carbon films, Archer has further validated its approach to quantum signal detection and strengthened confidence that its readout strategy is technically feasible. This de-risks the development pathway for the 12CQ chip and supports the company’s push towards practical qubit operation.
Designed for scalable chip manufacturing
A core focus of the program is ensuring Archer’s quantum carbon films can be reliably manufactured using standard semiconductor fabrication methods. The materials are being developed to be compatible with conventional chip-making processes, which is intended to facilitate future integration with existing semiconductor production lines.
Positioning the technology for scalability is central to Archer’s strategy, as it seeks to bridge quantum devices with mainstream electronics manufacturing and pave the way for wider deployment of its quantum computing technology.
Extensive testing across temperatures
Archer conducted electrical measurements on a large number of SET devices across a range of temperatures. Testing devices under varied conditions allowed the team to characterise their behaviour, confirm reproducibility and build a detailed understanding of the quantum properties of key devices.
These insights are described as critical for future scaled manufacturing, providing the data needed to refine device design and engineering at production scale. The company views this level of characterisation as essential both for advancing towards qubit demonstration and for future optimisation of its quantum carbon films.
Next phase: Spin-state readout in magnetic fields
Qubit operation requires control of electron spins using microwave pulses, followed by rapid readout of those spins. Archer is pursuing multiple readout methods, including via SET devices and the electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) process. In the SET-based approach, the device isolates a single electron in the qubit and then reads out its spin state electronically.
Work is now underway to operate Archer’s SET devices in magnetic fields to demonstrate that the spin state of the qubit electron can be read out under those conditions. Early qubit readout testing has already begun, with the company expecting first results from this phase of work next month.