New semiconductor could allow classical and quantum computing on the same chip, thanks to superconductivity breakthrough

Conceptual diagram of quantum computing and semiconductor chips, 3D rendering - stock photo.

In today’s digital age, silicon is king. But as with other semiconductors that are widely used in the industry, trace quantities of other elements are often added to silicon to influence its electronic behaviour, a process known as doping.

Now, scientists have taken doping to a new level, replacing one in every eight atoms in germanium — a semiconductor similar to silicon – with the superconductor gallium, so that the material forms a new superconductor that can be used for technologies like quantum computing and sensing.