Australian semiconductor company Archer Materials (ASX: AXE) has joined forces with Switzerland’s research institute École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) to build a microchip aimed at revolutionising the study of quantum materials. The chip’s features open potential opportunities for Archer to develop quantum sensors, miniaturised spectrometers, and analytical devices for precision sensing.
This new chip, a pulsed electron spin resonance (p-ESR) microsystem detects and analyses materials for important signs of quantum electron spin manipulation at a very small scale. It is incredibly small at 0.7 mm² and packed with advanced tech. It can detect and analyse the behaviour of electrons that hold potential for quantum information storage. The p-ESR is a major leap forward from previous methods of analysis used by Archer and EPFL.
CEO of Archer, Dr Mohammad Choucair, said, “The engineering of a new pulsed ESR chip is a noteworthy achievement by the teams at Archer and EPFL. It is a valuable tool to advance Archer’s 12CQ quantum chip project, and it opens a potential pathway toward precision sensing in integrated and portable electronic devices.
The development of the p-ESR is a recent example of the company’s fabless business model, as Dr Choucair, explained, “Built on 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS technology, the p-ESR chip represents Archer’s commitment to advanced semiconductor development. Archer is continuing to work with EPFL to build significant capability in radiofrequency devices and circuit design, which lay the groundwork to further develop radiofrequency circuits for potential applications in quantum technology.”
Archer have been able to achieve quantum coherence, a precursor to achieving quantum functionality, at room temperature in air and have recorded unprecedented quantum coherence times for the unique 12CQ chip material. Quantum coherence time is the time-window for processing the electron spin information in solid-state quantum electronic devices.
To show the p-ESR chip functions and operations as it should, EPFL conducted various experiments with the chip at room temperature, both in ambient air and a normal laboratory. Dr Choucair, commentd, “The outcomes obtained from these initial experiments suggest that the microsystem holds potential for application across a wide range of materials.”
This collaboration aims to use the p-ESR microsystem to conduct intricate measurements related to manipulating electron spins in Archer’s 12CQ quantum materials. According to Archer, the small size and incredibly high sensitivity of the p-ESR microsystem required significant innovation. It also open avenues for Archer to explore the development of quantum sensors, advanced spectrometers, and analytical devices.
Manufactured using 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS technology, the p-ESR chip represents a significant advancement. Earlier chips used high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The new p-ESR chip technology surpasses its predecessors in both design and functionality.
Recently, the company placed another feather in its chipmaker cap by substantially reducing the size of its gFET (graphene field-effect transistor) chips. The gFET chips measure less than 1.5mm in size and are designed for integration as a bioelectronic sensor. Archer is working with its semiconductor foundry partners in Europe to manufacture the biochips.
With global collaborations and continuous advancements, the company is pressing on with its quantum technology and biochip technologies. Going forward, Archer will continue to work with EPFL to build capability in radiofrequency devices and circuit design for potential applications in quantum technology.
Alinda is a Business Reporter for The Sentiment
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