The SHIFT project (Scalable Hafnium-based Integrated Ferroelectric Technology for Data-Intensive Computing), led by Dr. Sayani Majumdar, Associate Professor at Tampere University, brings together expertise from Finland and Taiwan to scale up ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM) technology. The consortium includes Tampere University, SemiQon and Applied Materials in Finland, as well as the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and Lyontek Inc. in Taiwan.

For SemiQon, the project focuses particularly on the potential of cryo-optimized memory technology. One of SHIFT’s key technical goals is to demonstrate ultra-low-power, high-performance cryogenic memory by integrating a cryo-optimized FeRAM stack directly with cryo-CMOS logic circuits.

“Quantum and cryo-electronics need low-power cryo-optimized memory technology that reduces the communication needed between room temperature and low temperature,” says Dr. Mika Prunnila, Chief Research Officer at SemiQon. “This enables lower latency, improved energy efficiency, and more scalable quantum computing systems.”

By bringing memory, processing and control closer to the quantum chip, the project addresses one of the challenges involved in scaling quantum computers while also exploring applications in other data-intensive and extreme-environment computing systems.

“Cryogenic memory is another feature we are adding to SemiQon's cryo-optimized solutions palette, and there will be more to come. By integrating more functionality at cryogenic temperatures, we aim to make quantum-system scaling simpler and more efficient,” comments SemiQon’s CEO Dr. Himadri Majumdar.

The SHIFT project is funded by Business Finland for the Finnish partners and the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) for the Taiwanese partners.

Read more about the project in Tampere University’s release