TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Noble-Ice-Modulated Superconducting Circuit
Key Dates
Due Date
-
Posted Date
-
Agency & Value
Agency
LLNS – DOE CONTRACTOR
Contract Value
Not provided
Codes & Classification
Solicitation Number
2025-129
NAICS
334413 - Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing
Classification Code
—
Additional Details
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is announcing a special technology/business opportunity for industry collaboration to further develop and commercialize its innovative neon-ice-modulated superconducting circuit. This opportunity is not a traditional procurement, but rather an invitation for qualified industry partners to engage in the advancement and market deployment of a novel post-fabrication tuning technology for superconducting resonators and qubits.
The core purpose of this initiative is to address a longstanding challenge in the field of superconducting electronics: achieving precise frequency control of resonators and qubits at cryogenic temperatures, essential for quantum processors, high-resolution detectors, and advanced sensor systems. Current industry solutions—such as SQUID-based flux biasing, ex-situ laser annealing, and dielectric varactors—are limited by noise, drift, added loss, or fabrication complexity, and none provide a passive, loss-free, and in situ tuning method after cooldown to millikelvin temperatures.
LLNL’s neon-ice-modulated superconducting circuit technology leverages a neon-filled, hermetic package that enables a thin film of solid neon to coat a superconducting-resonator chip at millikelvin temperatures. Integrated on-chip heaters can locally and precisely sublimate or redeposit the neon ice, allowing for kHz-level frequency tuning across MHz-to-GHz ranges without introducing additional loss or complexity. Once tuning is complete, the device operates passively, with no need for ongoing control lines or new materials. This approach offers significant advantages over existing methods, including:
- High accuracy and broad tuning range at operational temperatures (10 mK)
- Zero added dissipation, preserving resonator quality factors
- Simplified fabrication, as heaters are patterned with existing mask sets
- Post-cooldown adjustability, correcting frequency drifts that undermine ex-situ trims
- Economic benefits such as relaxed lithography requirements, higher wafer yields, and denser device integration
Potential applications for this technology are broad and impactful, spanning quantum computing (improving qubit yield, fidelity, and density), commercial wafer foundries (enabling relaxed tolerances with tight frequency binning), advanced detector arrays for astronomy and space-based sensors, and fundamental physics experiments requiring high-Q resonator arrays. The technology also holds promise for superconducting parametric amplifiers, RF filter banks, ultra-wideband spectrum analyzers, and as a value-add for cryogenic system vendors.
Currently, the technology is at an early stage of development (Technology Readiness Level 0-2), and LLNL has filed for patent protection. The laboratory is seeking industry partners with demonstrated capabilities in semiconductor and related device manufacturing (NAICS 334413) who can effectively commercialize this invention. All licensing and partnership activities will be conducted under strict nondisclosure policies to protect proprietary information.
Interested parties are requested to submit an electronic or written statement of interest, including company name and address, a point of contact, and a description of relevant expertise and facilities. Responses should reference Notice ID 2025-129 and be directed to the LLNL Innovation and Partnerships Office at the address provided below, or via email to the primary and secondary contacts.
Key details:
- Contracting Entity: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNS – DOE Contractor)
- Place of Performance: Livermore, California, USA
- NAICS Code: 334413 (Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing)
- Primary Contact: Clarence Cannon ([email protected], 925-423-3989)
- Secondary Contact: Charlotte Eng ([email protected], 925-422-1905)
- Response Deadline: May 16, 2026
- Notice URL: https://sam.gov/opp/5c791a3eb9f5412398a761e4d291268d/view
For more information on the technology transfer process, visit the LLNL Innovation and Partnerships Office website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources.
This opportunity is ideal for organizations with expertise in superconducting electronics, quantum device fabrication, or advanced cryogenic systems seeking to collaborate on a transformative technology with broad commercial and scientific impact.