Milestone for the stabilization and strengthening of quantum technology fabrication, bolstering Europe's technological sovereignty
22 May 2025
The CHAMP-ION initiative, with CHAMP-ION being an abbreviation for "Championing a European advanced manufacturing pilot line of ion-traps", delivers a seven-year strategic framework to establish a sustainable and scalable pilot line network across the EU. This network is set to advance ion-trap-chip innovation and mobilize the European ecosystem to enable high-quality mass industrial production.
CHAMP-ION brings together 21 excellent partners from six European countries, including Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) with its clean room specially equipped for trap construction and collaborating closely with the neQxt GmbH startup company, which emerged from the QUANTUM group at the JGU Institute of Physics. The CHAMP-ION initiative is working on pilot lines for the production of complex ion traps for quantum processors. In collaboration with other German partners such as Leibniz University Hannover, the University of Siegen, and Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig, JGU is ensuring that this future technology can be autonomously advanced and commercially exploited.
Comprehensive blueprint for quantum technology fabrication and applications
The partnership provides a comprehensive blueprint for advancing the entire value chain towards high-quality fabrication, from design to packaging and manufacturing service delivery toward customers. The long-term goal is to achieve a fully integrated, tested, and miniaturized many-ion trap system with integrated electronics and photonic structures on a chip.
Multiple use cases will be fostered, with real-world applications in the quantum technology domains of quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communication. Additionally, the partnership will enable key ecosystem services to raise awareness and capabilities within the industry.
The CHAMP-ION initiative fosters independence from international supply chains through the joint funding efforts of EU countries and the European Union. This collaboration is crucial for any high-tech location, particularly in the vital and promising field of quantum computing with trapped ions.
Collaborative effort across Europe
The CHAMP-ION initiative brings together 21 excellent partners from six European countries. The consortium is comprised of:
- Research and technology organizations:
- Silicon Austria Labs (SAL)
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)
- Institute of Scientific Instruments of the ASCR (ISI)
- Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT)
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)
- National Metrology Institute of Italy (INRIM)
- Universities:
- University of Innsbruck
- Leibniz University Hannover
- University of Siegen
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU)
- University of Padova
- Palacký University Olomouc
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs):
- Alpine Quantum Technologies GmbH
- neQxt GmbH
- eleQtron GmbH
- QUDORA technologies GmbH
- Parity Quantum Computing GmbH
- AMIRES Business Innovation Management Institute, z.ú.
- Large Enterprises:
- Infineon Technologies Austria AG
- Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH & Co. KG
- Infineon Technologies AG
The Framework Partnership Agreement marks a pivotal step in advancing Europe’s capabilities in quantum technology fabrication and ensuring a robust and sovereign technological future.