Diraq and Fermilab have announced a multi-institution collaboration under the U.S. Department of Energy’s QuantISED (Quantum Information Science Enabled Discovery) program to develop a novel quantum sensor platform for high-energy physics. The initiative, named Quandarum, is focused on detecting dark matter candidates such as axions by integrating Diraq’s patented silicon spin qubit technology with Fermilab’s cryogenic “skipper” analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The sensor will exploit quantum properties for enhanced sensitivity and aims to exceed the capabilities of classical sensing systems.
The project combines complementary expertise: Diraq, a leader in silicon-based quantum computing, brings scalable quantum dot fabrication and spin qubit readout experience, while Fermilab contributes its heritage in ultra-sensitive electronics for particle physics, particularly low-noise charge detection using skipper ADCs. The joint goal is to co-design a cryo-compatible quantum sensor ASIC, enabling high-fidelity readout of dense qubit arrays in extreme environments. The work builds on Fermilab’s prior development of skipper CCDs for single-electron detection and will adapt those techniques for spin-based quantum sensing.
The project will progress through iterative prototyping stages, beginning with integrating existing spin qubit and readout chips and culminating in monolithic quantum sensor platforms with thousands of qubits. Supporting institutions—including University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Chicago, and Manchester University—will contribute to theoretical modeling, device simulations, and quantum algorithm development to support the sensor’s application to beyond-Standard Model physics.
The collaborative effort reflects a broader movement to extend quantum technologies beyond computing into fundamental science. If successful, the Quandarum project could demonstrate a clear case for quantum advantage in quantum sensing and enable large-scale silicon-based sensor networks for probing cosmological phenomena.
Read the official announcements from Diraq here and Fermilab here.
March 28, 2025
Leave A Comment