Project HAVIK: Three Dutch Quantum Leaders on a Mission to Perfect Two-Qubit Gate Fidelity

From left to right - Eric Kievit (COO, Qblox); Meindert Stolk (Deputy of Economy and Innovation in South Holland); Damaz de Jong (Roadmap Leader, Qblox), Alessandro Bruno (Co-founder & CTO, QuantWare); Marc de Voogd (Quantum Systems Engineer, Delft Circuits)

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A few days ago, an exciting development kicked off in the Dutch quantum landscape. The Kansen voor West (KvW) program, investing in strategic regional innovation projects, has funded a unique quantum project: code-name HAVIK. This initiative brings together three market leaders from Delft's quantum ecosystem: QuantWare, Qblox, and Delft Circuits. This collaborative project – led by QuantWare - aims to achieve state-of-the-art two-qubit gate fidelity, a key step in enhancing the overall performance of superconducting qubits.

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Three leading companies combining their expertise 

Attaining state of the art performance in quantum computing systems requires seamless interaction between a stack of advanced components, from cutting-edge quantum processors and precise control systems to advanced cabling infrastructure. The HAVIK project addresses the quantum computing stack holistically, with each company focusing on improving its specific component to boost the performance of the entire system thanks to its unique expertise:

• QuantWare, a leading provider of scalable quantum processors and creator of the VIO Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) scaling technology, will focus on refining its qubit architecture to optimise control over qubit-qubit interactions.
• Qblox, a leading provider of scalable and modular quantum control stacks, will tackle the challenge of noise reduction within their control pulses for more accurate operations.
• Delft Circuits, a leading specialist in designing and developing I/O cabling solutions for the quantum industry, will work on improving cable thermalisation and minimising crosstalk between lines to ensure signal transmission without interference and distortion.

Two-Qubit Gate Fidelity, A Key Metric For Quantum Error Correction

Two-qubit gate fidelity is a critical metric that measures the quality and accuracy of operations performed on pairs of qubits. A high fidelity ensures that fundamental operations are performed with minimal errors, which is absolutely vital for executing complex quantum algorithms, and enabling quantum error correction.

Achieving high fidelity isn't easy, as it's influenced by every component of a quantum computing system. This complexity often makes it challenging for individual component providers to demonstrate their true performance in isolation. Project HAVIK will not only measure two-qubit gate fidelity but also demonstrate the power of quantum open architecture (QOA) and the seamless interoperability of the components from QuantWare, Qblox, and Delft Circuits.

A €1 Million investment by KvW, accelerating regional quantum innovation

The decision by KvW to invest €1 million in the project HAVIK underscores their commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth within the region. This funding recognises the immense potential of the Delft quantum ecosystem and its role in positioning the Netherlands as a leader in the global quantum race. By supporting this ambitious collaboration, KvW is not just funding a project; they are investing in the expertise that will drive future quantum advancements and create high-tech jobs.

Looking Ahead: Results Expected as of 2026

The HAVIK team is already at work. We anticipate seeing the first significant results as of 2026. This timeline reflects the focused nature of the project and the deep expertise of the collaborating partners. The project will end at the beginning of 2027. 

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