Spectrum instrumentation powers eleQtron’s microwave based quantum computers with advanced DDS technology

Press Release, 15 October 2025

German quantum computing start-up eleQtron is redefining how qubits are controlled, moving away from complex laser systems toward microwave-based quantum processors. The company’s breakthrough MAGIC (Magnetic Gradient Induced Coupling) technology, developed at the University of Siegen, simplifies quantum computer design while drastically reducing cooling and power demands. This innovation is made possible through Spectrum Instrumentation’s Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWGs), which use advanced Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) technology to deliver precise multi-frequency microwave control of trapped ion qubits.

Traditional quantum computers rely on high-powered lasers to manipulate individual ions—an approach that demands exceptional accuracy and consumes large amounts of energy. eleQtron’s MAGIC processor, however, uses microwave radiation to achieve the same results with just one-fifth of the power. Using Spectrum’s DDS-enabled AWGs, the system can generate up to 20 independent sine wave carriers per channel, allowing for the fine-tuned frequency, amplitude, and phase control required to execute complex quantum operations. This precision enables scientists to “address” each ion individually within the trap using frequency shifts of just a few megahertz, resulting in low crosstalk and high scalability for advanced quantum computing architectures.

To overcome hardware limitations in earlier systems, eleQtron adopted Spectrum’s M4i.66xx-series 16-bit AWGs, which can output signals at rates up to 1.25 GS/s with exceptional accuracy. With synchronized multi-channel capability and fast data transfer rates of 2.8 GB/s, these systems give researchers the flexibility to manipulate qubits at unprecedented speed and reliability. Spectrum’s support and modular design approach have earned it wide recognition among leading quantum research institutions worldwide.

By integrating Spectrum’s DDS technology, eleQtron’s microwave-driven quantum computers promise to make quantum systems more efficient, compact, and scalable—marking a major step toward practical, energy-efficient quantum computing.