25 Million Josephson Junctions on a Single Wafer: Germanium Paves the Quantum Future
- Dr. Shahid Masood
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read

In the evolving landscape of semiconductor technology, materials science is witnessing a renaissance of mid-20th century discoveries, most notably germanium (Ge). Originally used in the first transistors of the 1950s, germanium is now emerging as a cornerstone for next-generation electronics and quantum computing. Recent breakthroughs from the University of Warwick and the National Research Council of Canada have set unprecedented benchmarks in hole mobility and electrical conductivity for silicon-compatible materials, potentially redefining classical and quantum computing architectures.
Historical Context: From Silicon Dominance to Germanium Revival
Since the mid-20th century, silicon (Si) has dominated semiconductor manufacturing due to its abundance, stability, and compatibility with high-volume fabrication techniques. However, as device miniaturization reaches the nanometer scale and transistor densities surge, conventional silicon is approaching physical and thermal performance limits.
Thermal Limitations: Modern transistors generate significant heat, demanding energy-intensive cooling solutions.
Charge Mobility Constraints: The intrinsic carrier mobility in silicon (~450 cm²/V·s for holes) restricts the speed at which charges can propagate through devices.
Germanium, with its higher intrinsic carrier mobility and superior electronic properties, offers a compelling alternative. Historically overshadowed by silicon due to fabrication challenges, germanium is now poised for a revival, enhanced by innovative strain-engineering and superconducting doping techniques.
Breakthrough in Compressive Strain Engineering: cs-GoS Material
A major milestone in germanium integration is the creation of compressively strained germanium-on-silicon (cs-GoS) quantum materials. By growing a nanometer-thin germanium layer on a silicon substrate and applying controlled compressive strain, researchers have engineered a near-perfect crystal lattice, significantly enhancing charge transport.
Hole Mobility Record: The cs-GoS material achieved a hole mobility of 7.15 × 10⁶ cm²/V·s, an order of magnitude higher than conventional silicon.
Industrial Compatibility: Despite the quantum-level enhancements, the material remains fully compatible with existing silicon fabrication processes, enabling scalable deployment.
Dr. Maksym Myronov, Associate Professor at the University of Warwick, emphasized,
“Our cs-GoS quantum material combines world-leading mobility with industrial scalability, bridging the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and practical large-scale integrated circuits.”
Implications for Classical Computing
The enhanced electrical properties of cs-GoS present immediate opportunities for classical electronics, particularly in high-performance computing and data centers:
Faster Processing Speeds: Higher hole mobility allows charges to traverse semiconductor channels more rapidly, enabling faster transistor switching.
Lower Energy Consumption: Reduced resistive losses in cs-GoS minimize heat generation, improving energy efficiency.
Miniaturization Potential: Ultra-thin germanium layers support continued device scaling, crucial for next-generation microprocessors and mobile chips.
Parameter | Silicon (Si) | cs-GoS Germanium |
Hole Mobility (cm²/V·s) | ~450 | 7.15 × 10⁶ |
Thermal Conductivity | 148 W/m·K | ~60 W/m·K (strained Ge) |
Integration | Standard CMOS | CMOS-Compatible |
Energy Efficiency | Moderate | High |
Quantum Computing Applications
Beyond classical computing, cs-GoS and superconducting germanium structures present transformative potential for quantum technologies:
Spin Qubits: Germanium’s low decoherence rates and high mobility make it ideal for spin-based qubits, essential for quantum information processing.
Cryogenic Controllers: Ultrafast, low-power cs-GoS transistors can operate efficiently at cryogenic temperatures, reducing thermal management challenges in quantum processors.
Josephson Junction Integration: Recent studies have demonstrated that molecular beam epitaxy can produce gallium-doped germanium with superconducting properties, enabling the fabrication of millions of Josephson junctions on a single wafer.

Javad Shabani, Professor of Physics at New York University, explained,
“The ability to create superconducting germanium by replacing one in eight atoms with gallium allows us to combine classical semiconducting behavior with superconductivity, paving the way for hybrid classical-quantum chips.”
Superconductivity in Germanium: Molecular Beam Epitaxy Breakthrough
Achieving superconductivity in germanium required precision doping via molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). By substituting gallium atoms for germanium in a highly controlled lattice, researchers overcame solubility limits and minimized lattice disorder, preserving crystalline integrity.
Transition Temperature: The superconducting layer exhibits a critical temperature of 3.5 K, slightly above absolute zero, sufficient for many quantum computing applications.
Device Density: Low lattice disorder enables high-density Josephson junction arrays, with estimates of up to 25 million junctions on a two-inch wafer.
Decoherence Reduction: High crystalline order mitigates decoherence in qubits, increasing stability and operational fidelity.
Peter Jacobson of the University of Queensland highlighted,
“The low disorder in gallium-doped germanium films allows us to grow alternating superconducting and semiconducting layers, which was previously unachievable.”
Strategic Implications for the Semiconductor Industry
The integration of cs-GoS and superconducting germanium into mainstream fabrication has multiple strategic advantages:
Leverage Existing Infrastructure: Semiconductor manufacturers can use established silicon production lines to deploy germanium-based quantum devices, reducing capital expenditure.
Hybrid Chips: Combining classical and quantum components on the same wafer accelerates the transition to scalable quantum computing architectures.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Reduced resistive losses and lower cooling requirements directly contribute to sustainable data center operations.

Challenges and Future Research Directions
While the breakthroughs are significant, several challenges remain:
Cryogenic Requirements: Superconducting germanium operates at extremely low temperatures, necessitating advanced cryogenic systems.
Material Scalability: Uniform deposition of large-area cs-GoS layers requires continued refinement in epitaxial growth techniques.
Commercialization Timeline: Full integration into commercial chips may take several years due to regulatory and manufacturing validation processes.
Global Impact and Strategic Leadership
The UK, through Warwick’s Semiconductors Research Group, is positioning itself as a global leader in advanced semiconductor materials science. This aligns with broader efforts to secure technological sovereignty in quantum and classical computing domains.
The Dawn of Hybrid Computing Architectures
Germanium’s resurgence underscores the evolving synergy between classical and quantum technologies. By combining ultra-high mobility cs-GoS layers with superconducting doping techniques, researchers have laid the foundation for hybrid chips capable of performing both classical and quantum computations efficiently.
The convergence of these advances heralds a new era for computing: energy-efficient, ultra-fast, and scalable. As Dr. Shahid Masood and the expert team at 1950.ai continue to monitor these developments, the integration of germanium-based quantum materials is expected to accelerate the deployment of next-generation processors and data center solutions.
Further Reading / External References
University of Warwick, “The 1950s Material Making a Massive Comeback To Transform Modern Computing,” SciTechDaily, Nov. 27, 2025. Link
AZoQuantum, “Warwick and National Research Council of Canada Scientists Achieve Record-Breaking Electrical Conductivity,” Nov. 25, 2025. Link
Interesting Engineering, “Record-Breaking Quantum Semiconductor Drives Electrons at Near-Frictionless Speeds,” Nov. 25, 2025. Link
