Quantum technologies

At Fraunhofer IIS, we harness the distinctive properties of the quantum world and use them for practical applications. We are active in three main fields – quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing – with a focus on the first two at the current time. 

What sets us apart is the way we use our expertise to develop both the necessary hardware and algorithms, and already have future applications in our sights.

We design and develop electronic components for the efficient control and manipulation of quantum systems. This includes components from the high and ultra-high frequency range as well as fast electronics for real-time processing. In addition, we apply our expertise in circuit integration and information transmission to develop electronic systems for maximum qubit scalability and extremely high control qualities. In doing so, we also consider interfaces to algorithms with a view to practical applications.

Research for practical application

Hardware:

• Design and development of electronic components for the efficient control and manipulation of quantum systems, including components in the high- and ultra-high-frequency range, cryogenic electronics, and high‑speed electronics for real-time processing.
• Development of electronic systems enabling maximum qubit scalability and high control fidelity, taking into account interfaces to algorithms and higher system layers.
• Adapted design methodologies for nanoelectronics (ADC, DAC, chiplet interfaces) based on highly integrated semiconductor and integration technologies.
• Hardware for quantum communication: provision of a test and benchmarking environment through the development of a prototypical quantum communication setup.

Algorithms and Quantum Computing Software:

• Development of hybrid algorithms leveraging both quantum and classical computers (e.g., for quantum machine learning and combinatorial optimization).
• Development and analysis of algorithms in the field of quantum‑computing‑based machine learning such as reinforcement learning, time‑series forecasting.
• Development of machine learning methods (e.g., using reinforcement learning) for the automation of quantum circuit design.
• Adressing optimization problems arising from the operation of quantum computers themselves, for example in the mapping of quantum algorithms onto specific quantum hardware.

Application Areas for Quantum Computing:
 

• Quantum computing for sensing and imaging applications. Development of novel quantum‑computing algorithms and software for the use in complex sensor systems, for example for data analysis and QC‑optimized sensing.
• Quantum computing for complex planning challenges in the optimization and forecasting of processes in logistics, retail, and production.
• Quantum computing for improving mobile communication applications, including transmission and localization in emerging 5G and future 6G technologies. This also includes control optimization in the process industry as well as the use of distributed automation systems in the smart factory.

We develop modular nanoelectronics for quantum communication. Our expertise here includes:

• The design of a modular microelectronics platform for quantum key exchange
• Adapted design methods for basic components (ADC, DAC, chiplet interface) of quantum communication systems
• The development of powerful and reliable nanoelectronics
• Establishment of an application center for the design of scalable electronic systems for quantum communication
• Establishment and operation of physical quantum communication links to partner institutes in preparation for building a network in Germany (medium term)

Our research contributes in particular to the development of the electronic components needed for quantum communication. The focus lies on achieving maximum efficiency, universal use, and miniaturization of these systems.

Some 100 years after the development of quantum theory by scientists such as Max Planck, Werner Heisenberg, and Erwin Schrödinger revolutionized our understanding of physics, we now have the tools at our disposal that will allow us to turn this knowledge into technological applications.

The aim is to specifically control elementary particles and their properties and to use them for a wide variety of applications. For systems as small as this, the laws of quantum mechanics apply – laws that run completely counter to our intuition of physics.

After many years of basic research, we are now at the start of the “second quantum revolution.” This will have far-reaching consequences for industry, the world of science, and technology.