Rigetti Computing has been awarded a $5.48 million grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to further develop its Alternating-Bias Assisted Annealing (ABAA) chip fabrication process. Rigetti will lead a consortium including Iowa State University, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, the University of Connecticut, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to study ABAA’s impact at the microscopic level. The project aims to deepen understanding of defect mitigation in superconducting qubits, a critical challenge for scalable quantum computing.
ABAA, introduced by Rigetti in 2024, involves applying alternating low-voltage pulses at room temperature to the oxide barrier of Josephson junctions, enabling precise targeting of qubit frequencies before chip packaging. Unlike laser-based tuning methods, ABAA offers a simple, scalable solution that improves two-qubit gate fidelities and enhances overall chip scalability. Rigetti devices utilizing ABAA have demonstrated a reduction in two-level systems (TLSs), material defects that degrade qubit performance through energy loss and dephasing.
Through this project, Rigetti and its partners will investigate how ABAA influences TLS formation and behavior, advancing knowledge essential for large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computing. The research is expected to benefit not only quantum device manufacturing but also broader fields that rely on amorphous materials in tunnel junctions and dielectrics. The study will leverage combined expertise in quantum device physics, material science, and cryogenic engineering across the participating institutions.
Rigetti’s CEO Dr. Subodh Kulkarni emphasized that achieving a deeper understanding of superconducting qubit defects strengthens the company’s position to deliver scalable, high-performance systems. The award follows Rigetti’s recent selection for the DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, further supporting its role in advancing U.S. quantum leadership initiatives. Rigetti continues to design and manufacture its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first integrated quantum device manufacturing facility.
Read the full announcement from Rigetti here.
April 28, 2025
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