The year 2025, the International Year of Quantum Science & Technology, according to the United Nations, saw major advances in quantum computing and in the development of specialized technologies required to scale those systems. In fact, some have even pointed out the continuing emergence of an entire supply chain of new and innovative products dedicated exclusively to support quantum computing. And there is now a consensus that cryogenic CMOS technology is one such tool that can have a significant positive impact on the quantum industry.
Quantum Computing Systems
Most modalities used in quantum computing require operating at extremely cold temperatures in order to create quantum states, in which these devices can perform computations at breakneck speed. Expensive dilution refrigerators are used to bring temperatures down to around 20 millikelvin. For the most part, classical electronics are used in these cryogenic environments.
This is problematic not only because traditional electronics typically don’t perform well in these conditions, but also because they dissipate heat, which increases the already stringent cooling requirements. This raises costs and limits the number of quantum bits (qubits), which can be placed in a single cryogenic environment. Such challenges present major constraints for the scalability of these systems.
Other quantum computing designs place their control electronics outside the cryostat, at room temperature. This avoids some of the constraints around a lack of room to scale inside the fridge and also navigates around the limited availability of control electronics that can operate efficiently in extreme cold. However, with this approach, quantum computing systems become increasingly large and complex as the qubit count grows.
Cryogenic CMOS is one of the technologies which can help address this challenge and simplify the architecture. Using this approach, we have developed a cryo-optimized transistor, which dissipates orders of magnitude less heat than classical transistors. We’re close to zero at this stage, for example a classical circuit containing a million of these transistors would consume only one ten millionth of a watt of energy. This is extraordinarily low.
It is impactful because it cuts down on the power consumption of the transistors and by extension the cooling systems, because the cooling requirements are reduced through lower heat dissipation. More qubits can then be built into the system because of additional cooling power unlocked by such Cryo CMOS components, directly enabling the scalability every quantum computing company is chasing.
How the Technology Works
A metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) conducts electrons from source to drain through a channel whose conductivity is controlled by the gate voltage. For efficient low-power operation, the channel must switch on with minimal gate voltage change — ideally limited only by the thermal excitation of electrons from the source, a fundamental limit quantified by the subthreshold swing.
Conventional silicon MOSFETs cannot reach this thermal limit at cryogenic temperatures because channel disorder dominates over thermal broadening. In contrast, SemiQon’s cryo-optimized Si-MOSFET features exceptionally low channel disorder, achieving near-thermal-limited switching performance even at deep cryogenic temperatures, and thereby enabling ultra-low-power operation in demanding applications.
Development of this technology revealed broader applications beyond quantum computing, demonstrating strong product–market fit in adjacent industries, including the space sector. We therefore sought out additional industries where such technology could also play a key role. The space industry was one which emerged as having similar requirements to quantum in some respects and we’ve set out to deploy this technology in space as well. A ‘mission’ which the European Space Agency is also behind.
Greater Power Efficiency
Temperatures in space can be as low as 2 degrees Kelvin. Spacecraft deployed to deep space are therefore typically equipped with temperature control systems on board, which are designed to create an environment where the vehicle’s control electronics can function properly. Those systems and the classical electronics they contain consume a lot of power, restricting battery life.
But if Cryo CMOS electronics were used to replace those type of legacy systems, the power required to operate the spacecraft would come down significantly and it’s possible that one day the temperature control systems could be done away with altogether. In this way, these vehicles could then find themselves with a surplus of power onboard.
The extra energy could be used to extend the life of a mission, exploring deeper into space. Or it could be used to increase performance and carry out additional applications. Reduced power requirements may also lead to designing spaceborne vehicles which are even smaller and lighter, making them less costly to produce. Extending the life of these spacecraft would also mean fewer launches, which cuts costs further.
A major extension in battery life would represent a fundamental shift in how we design and operate space missions. The implications of dramatically reduced power consumption extend far beyond simply keeping the lights on for longer. With significantly more power available, mission architects could fundamentally reimagine what deep space vehicles are capable of achieving.
One of the most immediate benefits would be the ability to run multiple scientific instruments simultaneously, rather than cycling through them one at a time to conserve power. Spacecraft could operate power-intensive tools like spectrometers, radar systems, and sample analysis equipment more frequently, dramatically increasing the volume and quality of data collected. High-resolution imaging could become the norm rather than the exception.
Deep Space Missions
Deep space communications also present unique challenges. The farther a spacecraft travels from Earth, the weaker its signal becomes and the more power is required to maintain contact. With a substantial power surplus, missions could transmit data at higher rates and more frequently, sending back higher-resolution images and even video. Stronger signal strength at extreme distances would enable real-time telemetry during critical operations, moments when mission controllers need immediate feedback but currently face agonizing delays due to power constraints.
Perhaps most transformative would be the ability to run sophisticated artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms onboard. Current deep space missions operate with limited autonomy, often waiting hours or even days for instructions from Earth due to communication lag. With additional power, spacecraft could process and analyze data in real-time, making autonomous decisions about where to point instruments, which samples to collect, or how to respond to unexpected discoveries. Edge computing capabilities would allow vehicles to compress and prioritize data before transmission, ensuring the most valuable scientific information reaches Earth first.
On navigation, electric propulsion systems, while highly efficient, are often power hungry. A power surplus would enable course corrections and orbital adjustments that mission planners currently deem too energy intensive. Spacecraft could then potentially explore multiple targets within a single mission, responding dynamically to new discoveries rather than following a predetermined path. Extended attitude control operations would allow vehicles to reorient themselves more frequently for optimal observation angles.
Because of the distances involved, repair missions are impossible in deep space. Redundancy is therefore essential. Continuous health monitoring systems could detect and address anomalies before they become critical failures. Instead of complete shutdowns during power crises, spacecraft could implement graceful degradation, maintaining essential functions while conserving energy.
New frontiers may also become ambitious new targets. A greater level of power efficiency could enable entirely new classes of missions. Destinations where power is critically constrained, perhaps even the outer solar system, permanently shadowed lunar craters, or missions requiring multi-spacecraft formations — these may become viable. Mission planners could design for flexibility, knowing that spacecraft could be re-tasked or extended far beyond their original objectives.
The space industry has always been defined by doing more with less. But Cryo CMOS technology represents something different: the possibility of doing more with more. As these systems mature and deploy, they may well redefine the boundaries of what humanity can explore and discover in the depths of space.
This article was written by Janne Lehtinen, Chief Science Officer at SemiQon Technologies OY (Espoo, Finland). For more information, visit here .
