IQM Quantum Computer Technology Development

Speaker: Dr. Hsiang-Sheng Ku

IQM QPU Architecture Group Leader

2026.02.20

IQM is a Finnish provider focused on superconducting quantum computers. By combining self-developed superconducting quantum systems with a quantum cloud platform, IQM assists academic and research institutions, as well as High-Performance Computing (HPC) centers, in exploring and implementing quantum computing applications.



IQM Qubit Architecture

  Crystal Star Constellation
Topology Abstract pattern Cell signal wave Quantum circuit pattern
Composition Composed of qubits and tunable couplers Incorporates computational resonators Composed of hexagonal Star structures as basic units
Features
  • Traditional quadrilateral crystal structure
  • Nearest-neighbor coupling (Connectivity=4)
  • Multithreading: Capable of executing multiple parallel gate operations
  • Suitable for Surface code QEC
  • All qubits are connected via a computational resonator
  • All-to-all connectivity
  • Single-threading: Can only perform one pair of coupling gate operations at a time
  • Adopts a hexagonal honeycomb modular architecture
  • Achieves Connectivity=12 via resonators
  • Multithreading: Capable of executing multiple parallel gate operations
  • Targeting qLDPC non-local QEC (which requires higher connectivity)

โ–ฒ IQM's qubit topology strategy. The progression from the traditional quadrilateral architecture (Crystal) to IQM's exclusive hexagonal Constellation architecture demonstrates IQM's thoughtful approach and experimentation in optimizing the topology of superconducting QPU designs. Ideal quantum computing requires Quantum Fourier Transform (QFT); greater connectivity between qubits can reduce operations like SWAP, thereby shortening circuit depth. However, because superconducting qubits rely on 2D circuit designs, achieving true All-to-All Connectivity is quite difficult. Therefore, how to improve the operability of quantum chips remains an active research topic today.
Ref: arxiv.org/pdf/2503.12869
Ref: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2503.10903
Ref: https://meetiqm.com/blog/iqm-constellation-a-new-quantum-processor-architecture-for-scalable-error-correction/


โ–ฒ Using Interleaved Randomized Benchmarking (IRB) to measure the fidelity of IQM's Star quantum gates. The MOVE gate is a specific gate designed by IQM for the Star architecture.
Ref: arxiv.org/2503.10903




Decoding the IQM Roadmap

โ–ฒ In the research and development towards practical, mass-produced FTQC (Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing), IQM identifies three key focuses:

  • Quality: Improving the quality of quantum chips, including single-qubit fidelity, 2-qubit gate fidelity, and the suppression of crosstalk across the entire circuit.

  • Scaling: Integrating a massive number of high-quality qubits onto a single chip, with a target of over one million qubits.

  • Topology: Different architectures enable varying degrees of freedom in gate operations, reduce circuit depth, and increase compilation flexibility.


Ref: Adopted from https://meetiqm.com/technology/roadmap/


Research on Qubit Layout on Chips

Qubit coupler layout Quantum coupling plot
Measuring coupling and crosstalk between qubits by studying different spacing configurations. The impact of wiring and qubits during flip-chip packaging.


Ref: 10.1103/PRXQuantum.4.010314


Originally written in Chinese by the author, these articles are translated into English to invite cross-language resonance.