# Hot qubits made in Sydney break one of the biggest constraints to practical quantum computers
The unit cell developed by Dzurak’s team comprises two qubits confined in a pair of quantum dots embedded in silicon. The result, scaled up, can be manufactured using existing silicon chip factories, and would operate without the need for multi-million-dollar cooling. It would also be easier to integrate with conventional silicon chips, which will be needed to control the quantum processor.
As an Australian, I'm a little surprised, but also very glad, that Australia is able to do consistently world-leading quantum computing research. It is interesting to think about why this is. Looking into it further, there is a government funded program which has major universities working together (https://www.cqc2t.org/). I think this is important in a relatively small country, otherwise you have research groups in a race to the bottom for limited funds.
Seeing this also speaks to the fact that Australian research has a lot of potential which isn't realised due to lack of funding, with levels well below other OECD countries [1]. The federal budget spends about the same amount on sicence research ($1.8 billion) as it does on the arts and sports. It's a very big missed opportunity.
2 comments
[ 2.7 ms ] story [ 15.1 ms ] threadThe unit cell developed by Dzurak’s team comprises two qubits confined in a pair of quantum dots embedded in silicon. The result, scaled up, can be manufactured using existing silicon chip factories, and would operate without the need for multi-million-dollar cooling. It would also be easier to integrate with conventional silicon chips, which will be needed to control the quantum processor.
Seeing this also speaks to the fact that Australian research has a lot of potential which isn't realised due to lack of funding, with levels well below other OECD countries [1]. The federal budget spends about the same amount on sicence research ($1.8 billion) as it does on the arts and sports. It's a very big missed opportunity.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/10/austr...