Lower Saxony reaches the next round of the Quantum Computing Competition Consortium with TU Braunschweig invited to submit a full proposal
The Lower Saxony consortium has done it: led by Qudora Technologies, a spin-off from Quantum Valley Lower Saxony, Lower Saxony has reached the next stage of the Quantum Computing Competition organised by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). Following a successful review of the project outline, the consortium was invited to submit a full proposal with a total budget of 122 million euros for the NFQC-1k project. As a research partner, Technische Universität Braunschweig is developing key technologies within the project designed to ensure the scalability of Lower Saxony’s quantum computer.
The focus is on the development of scalable quantum computers based on trapped-ion technology – a technology that has been strategically developed in Lower Saxony over many years. A total budget of around 122 million euros has been earmarked for the project, which has now been invited to submit a full proposal; this sum is to be shared amongst all seven consortium partners. The scientific and technological foundations were developed primarily at Technische Universität Braunschweig, Leibniz University Hannover and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), and brought together within Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS).
An important milestone was the QVLS-Q1 project, launched in 2021, to build a 50-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer, which received funding of around 25 million euros from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK) and the VW Foundation. The follow-up project, BRIQ, continued the further development of the technology platform. This represented an early and long-term investment by Lower Saxony in its own trapped-ion technology – from fundamental research through technological scaling to commercialisation.
Qudora Technologies emerged from this environment. The company now takes the lead in the industrial activities of the consortium, which, in addition to the Lower Saxony-based partners, includes research centre Jülich, NXP Semiconductors and AQT Deutschland GmbH. Qudora Technologies is active in national and European projects and has expanded its international presence, including through a site in Japan.
TU Braunschweig develops key technologies
As a founding member of the Lower Saxony quantum alliance Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS), TU Braunschweig is contributing its strengths in engineering to the project. In particular, the strong synergies with the Nitride Technology Centre (NTC) are coming to the fore. At this internationally renowned centre for semiconductor technology and microelectronics, the research groups led by Professor Andreas Waag and Professor Stefanie Kroker are, on the one hand, developing optical components designed to replace existing quantum computer components with significantly more compact and robust alternatives. Meanwhile, the research group led by Professor Vadim Issakov is designing electrical circuits which, in the cryogenic environment of trapped ions, not only generate precise signals but also tackle the major challenges involved in the temperature management of quantum computers. Both areas form part of the pilot line to be established for the production of trapped-ion quantum processors.
The Federal Government’s Quantum Computing Competition
The Quantum Computing Competition forms part of Germany’s High-Tech Agenda. Quantum computing is listed as one of the key strategic technologies within this agenda. In the context of international competition, the focus is not only on the performance of individual qubits but, in particular, on scaling, error correction and industrial value chains. Relevant hardware platforms include ion traps, neutral atoms and superconducting quantum circuits.
The invitation to submit a full proposal thus also reflects the development of Lower Saxony’s quantum ecosystem: from long-term funded top-level research, through in-house technology platforms and spin-offs, to industrial and international scaling.
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Falko Mohrs, Lower Saxony Minister for Science and Culture:
“It is excellent news that QVLS has reached the next round of the Quantum Computing Competition. Lower Saxony is playing in the premier league of quantum technology and is one of the leading locations in Germany and Europe. Our long-term investment in building the Quantum Valley Lower Saxony is paying off. With QUDORA, our universities, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and strong partners from science and industry, we are ideally positioned to play a central role in the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers. Together with the federal government, we want to use this head start to accelerate the transition of quantum technologies into real-world applications and create technological innovation, economic value and highly qualified jobs in Lower Saxony.”
Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel, President of Technische Universität Braunschweig
“Together with our partners in QVLS, we have succeeded in establishing Lower Saxony as an internationally outstanding quantum computing location. Researchers at the Nitride Technology Center (NTC), among others, have made important contributions to laying the foundations for this development. We are now excellently positioned to take the next steps in scaling the quantum computer being developed in Lower Saxony.”
Prof. Dr. Cornelia Denz, President of Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
“Scalable quantum computers require the highest levels of precision and reproducible technologies – this is precisely where PTB contributes its particular expertise.”
Prof. Dr. Volker Epping, President of Leibniz University Hannover
“Quantum computing is a prime example of how long-term cutting-edge research can lead to technological innovation and successful technology transfer.”
