Konrad Young, a pivotal figure in semiconductor research known for his leadership at TSMC told DIGITIMES Asia during his UK visit that quantum computing presents a prime opportunity for Taiwan and the UK to collaborate.
He is often referred to as one of the "Taiwan Semiconductor R&D Knights," Young served as the R&D Director at TSMC from 1998 to 2005. His career spanned key roles at Chartered Semiconductor, UMC, and Siward Integrated Circuits, as well as as an independent director at SMIC. Young is currently advising Intel on technology strategies and contributes columns to DIGITIMES.
Complimenting strengths
Young says the two island tech powerhouses should work with one another, where Taiwan excels in semiconductor manufacturing, and the UK leads in early-stage research and interdisciplinary applications. He believes the strengths to be complementary to one another.
"Collaboration between Taiwanese manufacturers and UK universities," Young explained, "can lead to breakthroughs in quantum computing components and systems. By integrating academic research with industrial-scale manufacturing, we can expedite the development and adoption of quantum technologies."
Oxford Quantum Circuits
"Companies like Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC) are pioneering advancements, but they require components like 'amplify,' which Taiwan could manufacture at scale at a much lower price," he says.
Founded in 2017 as a spinoff from the University of Oxford, OQC specializes in semiconductor-based superconducting qubits for quantum computing. Their flagship "coaxmon" technology introduces a novel 3D architecture that enhances scalability beyond traditional 2D methods. This advancement streamlines manufacturing complexity, reduces unwanted interference, and enables the construction of larger quantum arrays while maintaining high-performance standards. OQC actively supports the UK's National Quantum Technologies Programme.
Price advantage
Young emphasized Taiwan's competitive advantage in manufacturing the "amplifying" components at a fraction of current costs for UK quantum computing firms. "It is a single MOS component with four legs, designed specifically to amplify optical signals when they enter, enhancing their strength," says Young.
"In the UK, these components can cost up to £2,000 each," Young noted. "In Taiwan, production could potentially reduce costs to around £2, leveraging existing semiconductor capabilities," he added.
He says components like this do not even need TSMC at all. "For this, we can use the oldest 4-layer or even 4-6 inch process. With several micrometer processes, we can make this power amplifier," says the former TSMC R&D director.
He suggests the price they sell does not necessarily need to be £2 but can go as high as £20 and still be a lucrative business. "While these components are relatively inexpensive in Taiwan, they command higher prices in the UK due to limited local production capabilities," he added.
Young cited this as an example of where Taiwan and the UK could work together complementing each other's strengths. He expressed optimism about the commercial viability of quantum computing, noting its growing prominence compared to traditional computing methods.
He pointed out collaborative initiatives between quantum technology firms and global giants like Nvidia as indicative of its future market potential. According to HPC wire, the UK government announced a 10-year national quantum strategy in March 2023, injecting £2.5 billion into quantum development with plans to attract another £1 billion from the private sector.
