HRL Laboratories has unveiled spinQICK, an open-source control solution tailored for semiconductor spin-qubit systems, marking a significant advancement in cost-effective quantum computing infrastructure. The tool is an extension of the Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit (QICK), originally developed by Fermilab, and is designed to support the development and operation of electrostatically confined spin-qubits.
Spin-qubits—key components in next-generation quantum computing—require highly specialized control systems. HRL’s spinQICK aims to reduce the complexity and cost of developing such systems, enabling researchers to rapidly build and scale experimental setups using commercially available FPGA hardware.
“By creating a cost-effective solution for academic and industry partners, HRL is helping to advance the quantum computing industry and spin qubit community,” said Andrew Oriani, a principal investigator for spinQICK at HRL.
The open-source platform is designed to operate with Xilinx RFSoC Field Programmable Gate Arrays, allowing users to implement application-specific controls for single- and two-qubit operations, such as initialization, parity readout, and gate characterization using Ramsey, T1, T2*, Echo, and All-XY sequences. It also includes tools for exchange calibration and electrostatic tuning.
Abbie Wessels, lead developer and co-PI of spinQICK, noted that HRL’s goal is to democratize access to quantum tools. “As leaders in quantum science and engineering, we believe that making tools like spinQICK freely available will accelerate scientific progress and push the boundaries of what’s possible in spin qubit research.”
The solution builds on Fermilab’s QICK architecture, which is a foundational toolkit used across national labs and quantum research institutions. Fermilab, the U.S. Department of Energy’s premier particle physics lab, plays a leading role in quantum infrastructure development through the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center and Quantum Science Center.
“SpinQICK is a great example of how open-source systems such as QICK grow across boundaries, including national labs, academia and industry,” said Gustavo Cancelo, Fermilab’s lead developer for QICK. “We are very impressed with the work done by HRL.”
To encourage adoption and quantum education, HRL sponsored a clinic team at Harvey Mudd College. The students successfully integrated spinQICK with custom analog control hardware, showcasing their project at HRL earlier this year.
