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.

The technologies we develop include special electronic components for quantum computers. This involves combining many different areas of expertise from within our research fields:

• Design of low-power microelectronics
• Integration and packaging
• Microwave and antenna engineering
• Complex signal processing

With this research activity, we are helping to scale up quantum computers and take them from the basic research stage to market maturity. We are also working on how to use quantum algorithms for machine learning and optimization problems.

Our expertise in deep learning, reinforcement learning, and mathematical optimization enables us to develop hybrid algorithms that combine the worlds of traditional and quantum computing. These can be used to find better results more quickly for time-critical and compute-intensive applications in the fields of logistics, imaging, and 6G. 

We also solve optimization problems that arise when actually using a quantum computer. For example, highly complex optimization issues arise when translating a quantum algorithm to the specific quantum hardware, and our work is helping to resolve these.

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.