CSEM is a leading Swiss technology innovation center with a mission to enhance the competitiveness of industry and the well-being of society through innovation. Founded in 1984, CSEM employs over 600 people and holds more than 200 registered patents. By translating scientific knowledge into practical applications, CSEM supports the innovation capacity of businesses and government. CSEM is actively involved in international projects, including many EU-funded collaborations.

CSEM is organized into three key areas: Precision Manufacturing, Digital Technologies, and Sustainable Energy. Its expertise spans the entire chain from basic research, design, and engineering to manufacturing and testing of products and systems. The focus is on innovation in areas such as quantum technologies, AI, sensors, lasers, robotics, additive manufacturing, and more.

In the ARCTIC project, CSEM will work on a photonics-based approach to generate ultra-low phase noise microwave signals. Controlling qubits requires ultralow noise microwave bias signals to avoid detrimental qubit decoherence, which is a significant challenge for quantum computing. The CSEM approach involves placing a photonic oscillator (a femtosecond laser) at room temperature and delivering its ultralow jitter optical pulse train through an optical fiber to a cryogenically cooled quantum computer. The laser then illuminates a high-power fast photodiode developed by ALBIS, which is operated at low temperatures and generates the microwave signal.

By collaborating with ALBIS and Supracon, CSEM will build knowledge on how to achieve unprecedented low phase noise RF sources in a cryogenic environment. This collaboration will benefit CSEM and its partners by extending their expertise in microwave optics to quantum and other cryogenic applications. More information on www.csem.ch.