Technology


NXP collaborates with a German team to develop quantum computers


NXP Semiconductors has joined forces with several partners to develop ion-trap-based quantum computers. T e project is part of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Quantum Computing Initiative, which aims to harness quantum computing to enable new innovations in the energy, automotive, government, aerospace and other demanding sectors. Quantum computers process data signifi cantly


faster than traditional computers, allowing them to easier solve complex problems; however, they are also challenging machines to build, requiring deep levels of expertise and signifi cant funding. “DLR is awarding contracts as part of its


Quantum Computing Initiative, with the aim of creating qubits based on ion traps. T is


technology is considered highly promising and will be explored through targeted research. T is brings us one step closer to a programmable, fault-tolerant quantum computer,” said Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the DLR Executive Board. To help achieve these new innovations, NXP


is collaborating with experts that include DLR, eleQtron, ParityQC, QUDORA Technologies and the Technical University of Hamburg. In the project, NXP will provide the control electronics necessary for embedding quantum computing in a classical computing environment, as well as cryogenically-suitable packaging and photon detection for the reading of quantum states. EleQtron is a spin-off from the Department


Three-inch wafer with microfabricated quantum processors based on trapped ion technology


of Quantum Optics at the University of Siegen. Founded in 2020, it’s the fi rst German quantum computer manufacturer. ParityQC is the only quantum architecture


company worldwide and QUDORA Technologies is a spin-off of Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig University of Technology and Leibniz University of Hanover.


Korean researchers develop eco-friendly fabrication of high-effi ciency solar cells


Clean, sustainable energy solutions are essential in meeting our ever-increasing energy demands. High-effi ciency solar cells are promising candidates to reduce carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. Solution-processed copper indium gallium


sulfur diselenide solar cells (CIGSSe) have generated signifi cant interest owing to their excellent photovoltaic properties, such as high absorption of visible light, stability and tunable bandgap. However, large-scale, practical applications are limited by a two-fold challenge. First, solution-based CIGSSe fabrication yields very low power conversion effi ciency and oſt en uses solvents that are not environment-friendly. Secondly, to achieve higher power conversion effi ciency, fabrication methods rely on expensive vacuum environments that lead to substantial material loss. To this end, a team of researchers at the


Incheon National University in Korea have developed a low-cost and eco-friendly fabrication method for high-effi ciency CIGSSe solar cells. Using aqueous spray deposition in an air environment, they developed a CIGSSe solar cell with power conversion effi ciency (PCE) of over 17%. T is compares to conventional solution-based fabrication processes that rely on


Economical, eco-friendly fabrication of high-effi ciency solar cells


environmentally-hazardous cadmium-based buff ers for the optimisation of thin-fi lm solar cells. In their novel technique, the team uses an


indium sulfi de based buff er that is cadmium- free, eco-friendly alternative. T ey also discovered that zirconium alloying increases the electron concentration in the buff er. T e method “passivates” or reduces defect states in the CIGSSe absorber, optimising the charge transfer between various interfaces, leading to enhanced PCE. Further, the researchers achieved even better defect passivation and higher PCE, more than 17%, by alloying the CIGSSe absorber with potassium. T e fabricated cell has an optimum bandgap for high effi ciency applications such as a tandem or bottom cell.


T is new technique is cost-eff ective and


easily scaleable, since it doesn’t require a vacuum environment. “We carried out spray deposition in an air


environment without using any high-vacuum facility, which signifi cantly reduces fabrication cost and thus makes the fabrication technique more practical and competitive in the industry sector,” said Professor JunHo Kim from Global Energy Research Center for Carbon Neutrality, who led the university team. T is development improves the


performance and fabrication of CIGSSe solar cells, potentially widening their application to integrated photovoltaic devices such as in vehicles for example, as well as energy sources for IoT devices.


www.electronicsworld.co.uk March 2023 05


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