Russian scientists develop tantalum chips for quantum computers — 10 times better than aluminum

Researchers from the Quantum Park at Bauman Moscow State Technical University and the Federal State Unitary Enterprise VNIIA have developed a manufacturing technology for superconducting integrated circuits based on tantalum. According to the team, this approach improves the quality of quantum computer components by more than ten times compared to conventional aluminum-based solutions. The first shipments of quantum coprocessors built on the tantalum platform are scheduled for autumn 2026.

Tantalum is significantly more resistant to acids and other aggressive chemicals than aluminum. This property allows components made from it to undergo more intensive cleaning, effectively removing atomic-scale contaminants and oxides from the surface that degrade qubit performance. Moreover, the natural oxide layer of tantalum contains far fewer defects than aluminum oxide, which helps preserve quantum information for longer periods.

The developers tested the new technology on tantalum microwave resonators. Their quality factor — the ability to retain quantum information — exceeded 10 million in the single-photon regime. Russian scientists described this result as among the best in the world, noting that comparable values have only been achieved at Princeton University and the Belgian nanotechnology center IMEC.

To create the new technology, the team had to obtain the correct phase of tantalum — superconducting circuits require high-purity alpha-tantalum. More than 1,000 experiments were conducted, and the analysis of wafers involved transmission electron microscopy with atomic resolution. The researchers emphasized that the development marks a significant step forward for domestic quantum computing, as tantalum-based chips offer superior coherence times and reduced error rates, which are critical for building scalable quantum processors. The transition from aluminum to tantalum addresses one of the key bottlenecks in current quantum hardware — the loss of quantum information due to material defects. With the production ramp-up expected in 2026, the technology could accelerate progress in quantum computing not only in Russia but also globally, as the demand for more reliable qubit platforms continues to grow.