Menlo Micro and Purdue University enhance commercial cryogenic switching for quantum computing
Menlo Microsystems, a specialist in high-performance electronic switches, has achieved a milestone in collaboration with Purdue University, demonstrating a commercial-ready architecture for quantum control and readout electronics at cryogenic temperatures
The work, which was recently published in the Nature Microsystems and Nanoengineering journal, demonstrated Menlo Microsystems’ cryogenic MEMS Ideal Switch platform in scalable quantum computing applications, created to enable commercialisation in the emerging quantum market.
The study outlined a scalable next-generation signal multiplexing architecture that addresses a bottleneck in quantum systems: the interconnect challenge between room-temperature electronics and cryogenic quantum processors. This was achieved by utilising cryogenically capable MEMS-switch-based multiplexers to reduce wiring complexity, thermal load, and system cost, facilitating high-fidelity communication between electronics and quantum bits.
Professor Luna Lu, vice president of Purdue’s Office of Industry Partnerships, said, “We are excited to partner with Menlo Micro on research that bridges device-level innovation and system-level impact. This study demonstrates how commercially available MEMS switch technology can be leveraged to solve key scalability challenges in quantum computing, accelerating the adoption of deployable, large-scale systems.”
The MEMS switch multiplexers showed superior cryogenic performance, reliably operating for over 100 million switching cycles. Beyond signal routing, the collaboration also demonstrated NAND and NOR logic gate operations at cryogenic temperatures using the same MEMS switch technology.
This milestone demonstrates that Menlo Microsystems switches can support digital logic functions within a cryogenic environment, enabling local control and decision-making closer to the quantum processor. For quantum system designers, the advantages of reduced wiring complexity and thermal load support the scalable architecture required for next-generation, large-scale computers.
Purdue researchers characterised the platform at 5.8 kelvin, measuring better than 0.5dB insertion loss and 35dB isolation, along with dynamic switch response, including gate-drive techniques that eliminate bounce switching. These results validated the reliability and repeatability of multiplexing and logic operations, strengthening the suitability of MEMS switches as key components in cryogenic multiplexers for current and future quantum systems.
Russ Garcia, CEO of Menlo Microsystems, said, “This work demonstrates how Menlo Micro’s commercial cryogenic switches can be deployed as a scalable solution for next-generation quantum systems. By addressing the interconnect bottleneck with a manufacturable, high-performance platform, we are enabling practical quantum architectures while expanding our addressable market across cryogenic and advanced computing applications.”
Connor Devitt, researcher at Purdue University, said, “Our work demonstrates that Menlo Micro’s highly reliable MEMS switch can be readily adapted for cryogenic operation through gate waveform engineering, enabling compact, scalable, and high-performance RF multiplexing critical for large-scale quantum systems.”
Menlo Micro will showcase its Ideal Switch technology at TestConX. To learn more, visit the team at Booth 61.