HKU Unveils 10mK Brain-Inspired Chip for Quantum Computing, Cutting Power by Thousands of Times
Updated
Updated · ScienceDaily · Jun 12
HKU Unveils 10mK Brain-Inspired Chip for Quantum Computing, Cutting Power by Thousands of Times
3 articles · Updated · ScienceDaily · Jun 12
Summary
A single silicon carbide transistor was shown to mimic neuron-like electrical spiking at 10 millikelvin, giving quantum systems a programmable control chip that can run near qubits.
The design uses gate-controlled negative differential resistance in standard SiC MOSFETs, exploiting a cryogenic effect that appears below 2K and stays stable across manufacturing batches.
HKU said the approach could slash control-electronics energy use by thousands of times versus conventional silicon, easing heat and wiring bottlenecks that complicate large-scale quantum computers.
Because silicon carbide is already produced in industrial foundries on 300-mm wafers, the team said the hardware is scalable and could also support deep-space electronics in extreme cold.
Is this 'cold neuron' the key to overcoming quantum computing's greatest thermal barrier?
How can one chip unlock both the future of quantum computing and AI in deep space?
HKU Unveils 10 mK Neuromorphic Chip: A Leap for Cryogenic Quantum Computing and Space Exploration
Overview
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong, led by Professor Yuhao Zhang and PhD student Xin Yang, have achieved a world-first by developing a programmable neuromorphic chip that operates at 10 millikelvin, near absolute zero. This chip enables advanced local data processing at extremely low temperatures, significantly improving quantum computing functions such as error correction and real-time control. By overcoming major hurdles like thermal load and wiring bottlenecks, and allowing artificial neurons to be linked into larger networks, this breakthrough paves the way for more complex and integrated cryogenic computing systems.