Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)

The goal of the „MicroLinQs“ project is to develop a method to connect quantum computers error-free over distances of up to 30 meters using microwaves. Our findings will help pave the way for more powerful quantum systems. In the future, quantum computers will require significantly more computing power to complete complex tasks. To achieve this, individual quantum processors need to be interconnected in a way that ensures that the extremely sensitive quantum information is not destroyed during transmission.

With funding from SNSF, the „MicroLinQs“ project will utilize superconducting circuits—the building blocks of many modern quantum computers—to securely transmit information using microwave photons. A central goal of the project is the construction of a 30-meter-long, ultra-cooled network that connects two spatially separated systems. Since quantum information is easily lost during transmission, the team will develop specialized error detection and correction techniques that operate directly in the communication channel.

Although this approach is not intended for global distances—for which conventional light is better suited—it represents a crucial breakthrough for the construction of future quantum computing centers. Connecting individual quantum chips with high precision to create powerful supercomputers is of enormous significance for both basic research and major tech companies such as IBM, Google, or AWS.