Semiconductor-based Quantum Pilot Line SPINS launched with EU support

Today, SPINS (Semiconductor Pilot line for Industrial Quantum NanoSystems) was launched, one of the 6 European quantum pilot lines. Coordinated by imec, the consortium brings together 25 European RTOs, industry partners, and academic research groups to strengthen Europe’s leadership and sovereignty in this strategically important domain. The €50 million SPINS pilot line project has been made possible through the co‑funding support from the European Union’s Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) and the national and regional authorities of the participating Member States, including Spain.

Quantum computing has become a highly strategic domain with economic and societal relevance rising sharply. Applications vary from breakthroughs in drug discovery and materials science to ultra-secure communications and next-generation navigation systems.

However, a gap remains between current quantum research and manufacturable quantum processors to enable significant quantum applications. Scaling the number of stable qubits (to as much as one billion) is key to building reliable and fault-tolerant quantum computers.

Given the technological complexity, including cryogenic operation, ultraprecise control electronics and highly specialized fabrication processes, and given the strategic importance of quantum chips, the EU Chips Act has established six complementary quantum pilot lines, each focused on a distinct hardware platform and collectively advancing quantum technologies in the space of quantum computing, communications and sensing. Within this portfolio, SPINS is the pilot line dedicated to semiconductor‑based spin qubits, with a primary focus on delivering quantum chips for quantum‑computing applications.

The first actions of the SPINS-consortium include process and design optimization to establish a robust foundation for scalable, stable, and high-performing spin qubits, all on three different technology platforms: Si/SiGe, Ge/GeSi, and SOI. SPINS aims to establish a lab-to-fab route for this technology via Multi-Project Wafers (MPW) and standardized quantum Process Design Kits (PDKs), which lower entry barriers for startups and SMEs in semiconducting quantum technology and lay the foundations for European companies to build quantum know-how early on.

SPINS coordinator Kristiaan De Greve, from imec, says: “Scaling qubits requires an extremely controllable environment and solid manufacturing processing, in view of the extreme sensitivity of qubits to environmental noise. These challenges require both the accuracy and control that is only present in state of semiconductor cleanroom infrastructure, combined with the research and innovation mentality to adjust such an environment to address these sensitive qubits.”

Spanish involvement in the SPINS Pilot Line

The Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC) is the only Spanish research institution involved in the project, along with the company Quantum Motion Spain.

IMB-CNM participates in process development and module optimization. The objective is to gather and unify the required development of key process steps and modules that are currently not available and need to be developed to meet the requirements of a stable semiconductor pilot line adapted to the needs of the quantum industry. It contributes with the Micro and Nanofabrication Clean Room capabilities at IMB-CNM to implement improvements in the gate stack module.

Quantum Motion Spain will study monolithically integrated electronics and qubits and, particularly, how power dissipation may impact qubit performance. As an output, QMS will develop a predictive modelling capability for thermal flow with the aim to minimise thermal flow and facilitate monolithic integration.

National co-funding for the Spanish partners is provided by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Service.

European consortium

Imec coordinates this new pilot line efforts and leads the European consortium of 25 partners, ranging from RTOs like Fraunhofer, VTT and CEA-Leti, industry (both large enterprises like Infineon and Siltronic as well as SMEs and startups) and academic groups (like TU Delft and University of Jyväskylä), bringing in complementary knowledge and skills, with the goal of translating the strategic framework of the EU Chips Act into concrete actions.