Archer Materials (ASX: AXE) Announces Quantum Computing Milestone with Electrical Gating

In a significant investor update, Archer Materials (ASX: AXE) has announced a critical technical milestone in its quantum computing development. The company has successfully demonstrated electrical gating within its quantum single electron transistor (SET) devices, a breakthrough that substantially advances its pathway towards the Archer Materials qubit readout milestone. This achievement validates Archer’s readout technology and reduces technical uncertainty surrounding its ability to extract quantum information from its 12CQ quantum computing chip.

The development was performed on carbon nano onions and de-risks the approach for quantum carbon films, which are compatible with conventional chip-making processes. This SET-based readout method works alongside the previously validated electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) method confirmed in July 2025, providing important technical redundancy in Archer’s development pathway.

What is a single electron transistor for quantum computing?

A single electron transistor is a nanoscale device capable of detecting and controlling individual electrons, which are the fundamental building blocks of quantum computing qubits. Unlike classical transistors that handle billions of electrons simultaneously, SETs operate at the single-electron level, enabling the precision required to read quantum information accurately.

In Archer’s quantum computing architecture, the SET functions as the ‘reader’ for the qubit. After microwave pulses control electron spins, the SET device isolates a single electron and reads its spin state electronically. The electrical gating breakthrough means Archer can now use voltage controls to manage electron flow through the SET, enabling accurate and reproducible readout of quantum states.

This represents a considerable advancement from previous work, which demonstrated that the SET device existed. However, this latest ASX announcement proves that Archer can control it electrically—the critical difference between a laboratory curiosity and a functional component ready for integration into quantum computing systems.

Key Quantum Computing Terms:

• Qubit: Quantum bit—the basic unit of quantum information, analogous to classical computing’s ‘bit’.
• Spin state: The quantum property of an electron that encodes quantum information (up or down orientation).
• Electrical gating: Using voltage to control electron behaviour in a device.
• Readout: The process of extracting quantum information from a qubit to obtain a measurement result.

How does Archer Materials’ qubit readout technology function?

Archer is pursuing two complementary readout approaches for its quantum computing technology, both aimed at achieving the Archer Materials qubit readout milestone necessary for demonstrating a functional qubit. This dual-pathway strategy reduces execution risk and provides technical flexibility.

The SET readout process operates through four sequential stages. First, electron spins are controlled by microwave pulses that manipulate their quantum states. The SET device then isolates a single electron in the qubit. Subsequently, the spin state of the electron is read out electronically via the SET, converting quantum information into classical electronic signals. Finally, electrical gating—now demonstrated—enables precise control of this readout process through voltage manipulation.

The EDMR readout approach, validated in July 2025, uses magnetic resonance techniques to detect spin states electrically, providing an alternative pathway. The complementary nature of these methods means that Archer is not dependent on a single technical approach, a key risk mitigation factor.

Archer conducted extensive testing under multiple temperature conditions and characterised a large number of SET devices, confirming reproducible device behaviour. This reproducibility provides confidence that the technology has genuine scalability potential.

Comparison of Archer’s Readout Methods

Why are carbon films critical for quantum computing manufacturability?

Archer’s strategic material choice positions its quantum computing technology for commercial scalability. The company uses carbon nano onions for research validation whilst developing quantum carbon films for scalable production.

Carbon films are compatible with conventional semiconductor chip-making processes, enabling integration into existing manufacturing infrastructure. This addresses a common commercialisation challenge for many quantum computing approaches that rely on exotic materials or processes. Demonstrating electrical gating on nano onions validates the approach for carbon films, which share quantum properties but offer superior manufacturability.

Dr Simon Ruffell, Chief Executive Officer, emphasised this strategic advantage: “By using carbon film materials, we can bolster the manufacturability of our quantum technology, as films allow for better integration with conventional chip making processes.”

This focus on manufacturability positions Archer for potential industry partnerships or licensing arrangements with established semiconductor manufacturers.

How does electrical gating improve quantum information extraction?

Electrical gating represents a fundamental control mechanism that enables precise manipulation of electron behaviour within quantum devices. In Archer’s SET devices, it uses voltage to control the flow of individual electrons, allowing the system to isolate specific electrons and read their quantum states with high accuracy.

Before this demonstration, Archer had fabricated SET devices and confirmed their basic operation. However, demonstrating electrical gating proves that voltage controls can be used to precisely manage electron behaviour, a crucial step for reliable quantum information extraction. This level of control is the difference between a passive component and an active, functional part of a quantum processor, moving Archer closer to its goal of demonstrating a fully operational qubit and achieving the Archer Materials qubit readout milestone.

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