Construction of a silicon-based solid state quantum computer

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We discuss progress towards the fabrication and demonstration of a prototype silicon-based quantum computer. The devices are based on a precise array of 31P dopants embedded in 28Si. Fabrication is being pursued via two complementary pathways – a ‘top-down’ approach for near-term production of few-qubit demonstration devices and a ‘bottom-up’ approach for large-scale qubit arrays. The ‘top-down’ approach employs ion implantation through a multi-layer resist structure which serves to accurately register the donors to metal control gates and single-electron transistor (SET) read-out devices. In contrast the ‘bottom-up’ approach uses STM lithography and epitaxial silicon overgrowth to construct devices at an atomic scale. Techniques for qubit read-out, which utilise coincidence measurements on novel twin-SET devices, are also presented.