Belgian research lab Imec has created the world’s first quantum-dot-based quantum device using High-NA EUV lithography.

This advanced manufacturing technology enables the production of ultra-precise structures with gaps as small as 6 nanometers and could allow the integration of millions of qubits on a single chip.

Silicon quantum dots are considered one of the most promising approaches for large-scale quantum computing because they are compatible with existing semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure. Today, the main challenge is not creating qubits but scaling them up to industrial levels.

By applying High-NA EUV lithography- a technology being introduced for next-generation chip production- Imec has demonstrated a viable path toward manufacturing large-scale quantum systems on standard 300-mm semiconductor wafers. According to the company, this breakthrough could accelerate the development of commercially viable quantum computers and enable a smoother transition from classical bits to qubits without major changes to existing production processes. As a result, practical quantum computing may arrive sooner than the widely anticipated 2030 timeline.