Archer Materials continues development of 12CQ quantum chip in Switzerland

Archer Materials Ltd (ASX:AXE) has started the next stage of development to advance commercial readiness of the 12CQ project aimed at building a quantum computing qubit processor. Chip building capabilities have been expanded with Archer Materials securing access to world-class infrastructure, equipment, and engineers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. The company has also commenced the quantum measurements required to build a working chip prototype and integration onboard modern devices. Development goals Archer chief executive officer Dr Mohammad Choucair said one of the company’s key development goals was to demonstrate and accelerate the potential for the 12CQ chip integration in modern devices over the next 12 months. He said: “The quantum measurements [to be performed] form the basis of the chip basic function – which is necessary for quantum information processing. “Essentially, the ‘quantum’ in quantum computing. “The measurements are not routine; we will now expand on Archer’s chip development capabilities to include contributing teams at the world-class EPFL to accelerate the development and commercial readiness of the 12CQ chip.” Archer uses a unique carbon-based qubit material that has the potential to enable chip operation at room-temperature and integration onboard modern electronic devices. World-class facilities Archer has begun performing measurements on the chip qubit components at various facilities at EPFL. The company intends to devise, design and perform several quantum measurements on the chip prototype qubit componentry over the next 12 months in-line with its strategic chip development roadmap and commercialisation plan. Outcomes and results of the various quantum measurements will be used to validate claims in the patents protecting the chip technology intellectual property and to advance the commercial readiness of the chip. Commercialising the chip Archer began assembling chip prototypes in mid-2019 and recently demonstrated the possibility of qubit scalability in fabrication by precisely positioning the critical chip qubit component creating few-qubit arrays. The company now intends to commercialise chip products through licensing and direct sales by seeking to establish commercial partnerships with highly resourced organisations including software developers and hardware manufacturers, that could allow for product scale, IP transfer and distribution channels. Market outlook While Australia forms a significant part of the growing quantum computing economy, there are currently limited opportunities for on-market investment and exposure to financial returns from quantum computing technology. According to McKinsey, the highest value in the quantum computing economy is derived from technology development in the US, EU and Australia. Morgan Stanley forecasts that quantum technology could double the value of high-end computers to US$10 billion by 2027 and Investment bank Goldman Sachs predicts that by 2021 quantum computing could become a $US29 billion industry. Archer’s advantage Globally, quantum computing forms part of the mature semiconductor and electronic parts manufacturing industry (SEPMI) which is a US$500 billion+ revenue market. Around 70% of manufacturing is concentrated in Asia with few companies with large market share (Samsung, Intel, and Qualcomm), giving rise to potential opportunities for mergers and acquisitions based on disruptive technology integration. Archer’s chip could represent a breakthrough solution to the widespread use and ownership of quantum computing powered technology, as such, the company is well placed to take advantage of the emerging quantum computing technology market. The company also holds an exclusive international licence to patents protecting the chip technology.