A new approach to quantum cooling - compact, automated, scalable
With the attoCMC system, attocube brings cryogenic cooling from the research laboratory to industrial applications - compact, automated and easy to integrate. In this interview, Sebastian Schaile, Senior Manager Strategic Marketing CMC at attocube systems GmbH, talks about technological breakthroughs, strong partnerships and why now is the ideal time to get involved in quantum computing.
Your attoCMC system makes cryogenic cooling easy to integrate and scalable for quantum computing for the first time. Why is this such an important step for the quantum industry?
The concept is truly revolutionary: we enable the quantum industry to achieve temperatures of just over 2 degrees Kelvin above absolute zero from virtually any power socket! Conventional cooling appliances generally require both high voltage current and cooling water. This usually involves a lot of planning, preparation and assembly – often requiring structural modifications by the end customer, as well as an intensive installation at the installation site – which is unthinkable for the industrial use of quantum technologies. Compactness also plays an enormous role: the complete cooling unit including compressor is compatible with standard 19" racks, as found in every server room, and therefore enables the seamless integration of quantum computers into existing data centres and their infrastructure.
Automation plays a key role in the optimisation of cryogenic systems. What innovations have you developed for your cryostat?
For cryogenic systems, moving from the laboratory to industrial use means moving into completely unsupervised operation. A key issue in making this possible was the development of a system to achieve particularly low temperatures without the use of additional cooling stages. The attoCMC achieves its particularly low base temperature completely without the use of pump systems and cold traps to further subcool helium, which significantly decreases service costs and increases robustness. The system is designed to operate virtually without interruption from start to scheduled service. In addition to this uninterrupted operation, an automation system was developed that enables simple use without expert knowledge. The pumping system and the entire control hardware are integrated into the compact cryostat; no external modules are required, which makes integration into customer racks particularly easy.
The development of new technologies often brings with it unexpected challenges. Was there a moment in your work that had a particular impact for your team?
The automation with the vacuum pump installed in a really compact space was a particular milestone in the project. In addition to the small, self-developed controller, this is the first time that a particularly robust and, above all, small pump has been used in a cryostat. As the performance here was not easy to estimate and we had a tight development schedule, we took a very high risk in the development. The joy was correspondingly great when the first prototype was immediately convincing at the first launch.
attocube already works with renowned partners such as Quandela and Munich Quantum Instruments. What role do co-operations play in your innovation strategy?
attocube's mission is "Enabling Scientific Impact" - and we regularly try to push the boundaries of what is possible, here. It is absolutely essential for us to work closely with partners in both science and industry on the solutions of the future. This is the only way to create marketable innovations that generate real "impact".
However, we must not forget the broadening out. The science, just like the industrialisation of quantum technologies, is an achievement of the entire community. With this in mind, we help our customers and partners to achieve rapid success with our products through close application consulting and training. Here is one of the main ideas of the attoCMC project: Start-ups are relieved of the burden of developing and building cryotechnology themselves, so that young start-ups can concentrate on their core technology.
Winning the Quantum Effect Award 2024 was a great recognition of your work. How has your company developed since then?
The Quantum Effects Award was an important step in publicising this new and interesting technology in the quantum community. It also helped us to forge new contacts. By spreading the technology, we can further expand series production of the systems, which ultimately offers advantages for each of our customers.
What can we expect from attocube in the future? Are there any further developments or new functions in the pipeline?
For 2025, we have launched the attoCMC800xs, a new free-beam optics platform. The combination of the innovative IGLU compressor with our most compact vibration-decoupled cryostat for free-beam optics makes the path from the laboratory to the application even easier. Here, the intermediate step of developing a fibre coupling of optical emitters is no longer necessary. The CMC product line now consists of two high-performance cryostats: An extremely compact rack system for purely electrical or even fibre-coupled photonic quantum chips, and one for optical free-beam access with vibration damping, which enables high-resolution optical measurements at cryogenic temperatures in industrial environments.
What message do you have for companies, start-ups and innovators who are considering getting involved with quantum computing?
The entry conditions could not be better at the moment. The quantum community is growing and we are currently experiencing a boom in terms of attention to the topic. At the same time, the entry are still very attractive, both in terms of investment and technology. It makes perfect sense to deal with the topic now.
Interested in the Quantum Effects Award now? Then apply now: https://www.messe-stuttgart.de/quantum-effects/programm/rahmenprogramm/quantum-effects-award
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