Russia develops tantalum-based chips to boost quantum computing power

Scientists at the Quantum Park Center (Bauman Moscow State Technical University) and the All-Russian Research Institute of Automation (VNIIA) have developed a new technology for producing superconducting integrated circuits based on tantalum. This advancement reportedly improves the quality of quantum computing components by more than 10 times compared to traditional aluminum-based technology.

Tantalum offers superior resistance to acids and harsh environments, allowing for more thorough cleaning of components and the removal of atomic contaminants that degrade qubit performance. Additionally, tantalum oxide contains significantly fewer defects than aluminum oxide, enabling longer quantum information retention.

In testing, tantalum microwave resonators achieved a quality factor (Q) of over 10 million in single-photon mode, a physical record that places the achievement on par with global leaders such as IMEC in Belgium and Princeton University in the United States. The first tantalum-based quantum sub-processors are expected to be delivered in the autumn of 2026.