National Quantum Federated Foundry and Qolab Collaborate on Wafer-Scale Cryogenic Filters for Quantum Scaling
National Quantum Federated Foundry and Qolab Collaborate on Wafer-Scale Cryogenic Filters for Quantum Scaling
- Singapore’s National Quantum Federated Foundry is partnering with Qolab to develop wafer-level cryogenic low-pass filters for superconducting quantum processors.
- The initiative targets a key hardware bottleneck by reducing noise and enabling denser, more reliable qubit integration.
- The filters are expected to be deployed in quantum systems at the University of California, Los Angeles, reinforcing international hardware collaboration.
Singapore is advancing its position in the global quantum hardware landscape through a collaboration between researchers at the National Quantum Federated Foundry (NQFF) and Qolab, a quantum computing company co-founded by 2025 Physics Nobel Laureate Professor John M. Martinis. The development was first reported by The Quantum Insider.
The partnership centers on the design and manufacturing of cryogenic low-pass filters, components considered essential for scaling next-generation superconducting quantum processors. By leveraging Singapore’s established semiconductor and deep tech ecosystem, Qolab will work alongside local researchers to engineer hardware aimed at overcoming one of quantum computing’s most persistent challenges: noise management and integration density.
According to The Quantum Insider, the research focuses specifically on cryogenic filters for quantum processor chips. These filters are designed to address a critical bottleneck in the development of larger and more powerful quantum computers. Superconducting qubits, among the most mature and widely adopted technologies used by industry leaders, operate at temperatures near absolute zero and are highly sensitive to environmental interference. Cryogenic low-pass filters serve as protective barriers, blocking unwanted high-frequency signals that can destabilize qubit performance.
Conventional filtering solutions currently used in quantum systems are often bulky, prone to error, and difficult to scale for mass manufacturing. The collaboration between NQFF and Qolab aims to replace these limitations with wafer-scale fabrication techniques similar to those used in semiconductor chip production. By manufacturing cryogenic filters directly on semiconductor wafers, the teams expect to enable tighter integration with qubit circuits, allowing more qubits to be packaged within smaller, more reliable systems.
Professor Martinis, Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder of Qolab, emphasized the importance of manufacturable support hardware in scaling quantum systems. “Building useful quantum computers requires scaling from dozens to millions of qubits, and that means we need not just more qubits but also reliable, manufacturable supporting hardware,” he said. He added that Singapore’s advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities make it a strategic partner in developing the critical components required for the next generation of quantum computing.
The filters developed through this initiative are expected to be deployed in quantum systems at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), reflecting the international dimension of the collaboration and signaling confidence in Singapore’s fabrication capabilities.
The broader context of the partnership reflects growing global momentum in quantum hardware development. As outlined in The Quantum Insider’s coverage, Singapore has continued strengthening its research, innovation and enterprise (RIE) investments across semiconductor manufacturing, advanced engineering, and quantum device development. The convergence of these capabilities, combined with an open and collaborative international posture, has positioned Singapore as an increasingly attractive base for companies seeking to scale quantum hardware technologies.
Mr Ling Keok Tong, Executive Director of the National Quantum Office, described the agreement as a demonstration of Singapore’s ability to contribute critical components to the global quantum ecosystem. He noted that the collaboration brings together strengths in semiconductor engineering, advanced manufacturing and quantum research to address real-world hardware challenges. With partners such as UCLA preparing to deploy the filters, he added, the initiative reinforces Singapore’s growing role within the global quantum supply chain.
The research collaboration agreement between NQFF and Qolab was signed in the presence of Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo. The signing formed part of a broader quantum-focused event that began with opening remarks by Minister Teo.
The event also included a public guest lecture organized by the National Quantum Office — a national platform hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research — and the National Research Foundation. During the lecture, Professor Martinis discussed the history of superconducting qubits. In addition, NQFF Industry Day showcased quantum hardware developments from industry partners and leading global players, highlighting ongoing advances across the ecosystem.
Source: The Quantum Insider – Have a Story? Address it to the Editor and submit it here
About Qolab
Qolab is a quantum computing company co-founded by 2025 Physics Nobel Laureate Professor John M. Martinis. The company focuses on advancing superconducting quantum technologies and developing the supporting hardware required to scale quantum processors from experimental systems to commercially viable platforms. Central to Qolab’s mission is the engineering of manufacturable components that address integration, noise reduction, and system reliability challenges in large-scale quantum architectures. By combining deep expertise in superconducting qubit design with systems-level quantum computing knowledge, Qolab works to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial deployment. Its collaborations with semiconductor fabrication partners and research institutions reflect a strategy centered on scalable, wafer-level manufacturing approaches. Through these efforts, Qolab aims to contribute to the development of practical, high-performance quantum computing systems capable of supporting future scientific, industrial, and enterprise applications.
Featured image Source: Quantum lah
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