Department of Applied Physics

Quantum Computing and Devices (QCD)

The Quantum Computing and Devices (QCD) group was formally established in October 2007, and since 2012, the premises of our research group has been referred to as QCD Labs. We keep an open mind and explore the most interesting and promising pathways to reach maximal quality and productivity in our research and innovations.
Artistic image of a high-coherence transmon qubit on a quantum processor. Figure credit: Alexandr Käkinen.
An artistic illustration shows how microscopic bolometers (depicted on the right) can be used to sense very weak radiation emitted from qubits (depicted on the left). Photo: Aleksandr Käkinen/Aalto University

New quantum record: Transmon qubit coherence reaches millisecond threshold

The millisecond coherence measurement marks a quantum leap in computational technology, with the previous maximum echo coherence measurements approaching 0.6 milliseconds. 

(Aalto news)

Researchers aim to correct quantum errors at super-cold temperatures instead of room temperature

Professor Mikko Möttönen has received a three-year grant from the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation to correct quantum errors. His research group is developing a solution that will allow microwave pulses to be kept at a temperature of millikelvin, or -273 degrees.

(Aalto news)

We have a major effort on experimental quantum physics with superconducting circuits, but we also carry out computational and theoretical work down to fundamental quantum mechanics. Currently, we focus on control and readout techniques for superconducting qubits and on the implementation of on-demand dissipation in quantum circuits to study the related dynamics of open quantum systems. 
We also develop ultrasensitive microwave detectors and on-chip components for controlling microwave photons. We are also proud to have given birth to a leading European quantum-computer company IQM. Recently, we jointly developed with IQM an open-source software, KQCircuits, to design superconducting quantum processors, making our tools available for the entire quantum community (more information here).

Join QCD Labs: Postdoctoral Roles in Superconducting Qubits

Postdoctoral Researcher in Autonomous superconducting QPUs

Did you recently get your PhD in circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED) and are now looking into taking the full potential of your skills into use for making new scientific discoveries?

We are now looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to help build an autonomous superconducting quantum processor in the Quantum Computing and Devices (QCD) group at Aalto University. The position is aimed at an exceptional cQED researcher who wants to turn recent component-level breakthroughs into a new system architecture for scalable superconducting quantum computing. Join us in shaping the future!

Please go here to find more information about the application process.

Application deadline: 01.06.2026

Postdoctoral Researcher in cQED theory and open quantum systems

Did you recently get your PhD in theory of circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED) and are now looking into taking the full potential of your skills into use for making new scientific discoveries?

We are now looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher in theory to join the Quantum Computing and Devices (QCD) group at Aalto University. This position is aimed at an outstanding researcher in circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED) who wants to help shape the next generation of superconducting quantum technology. Join us in shaping the future!

Please go here to find more information about the application process. 

Application deadline: 01.06.2026

For more information about the role, please contact Prof. Mikko Möttönen (mikko.mottonen@aalto.fi). For questions related to the application process, please contact HR Advisor Minni Forss (minni.forss@aalto.fi).

We will go through applications, and we may invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period. We aim to have a transparent and equal recruitment process, so feel free to ask us for feedback.

Mikko Möttönen

Group leader

Dr. Mikko Möttönen

Mikko's Aalto page

Research

Research highlights: 

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS PUBLICATION: Methods to achieve near-millisecond energy relaxation and dephasing times for a superconducting transmon qubit, Nature Communications,  16, 5421 (2025).

NATURE ELECTRONICS PUBLICATION: Single-shot readout of a superconducting qubit using a thermal detector, Nature Electronics 7, 288–298 (2024).

NATURE PUBLICATION: Bolometer operating at the threshold for circuit quantum electrodynamics, Nature 586, 47–51 (2020).

SCIENCE PUBLICATION: Observation of isolated monopoles in a quantum field,
Science 348, 544 (2015).

Bolometers used for qubit readout

Ultrasensitive bolometers

We develop fast and sensitive thermal detectors for circuit quantum electrodynamics applications.

Department of Applied Physics
Six superconducting qubits sample

Superconducting quantum electronics

We develop components and methodology in the rapidly growing field of quantum computing, especially in the framework of circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED).

Department of Applied Physics
Quantum theory

Quantum theory

QCD's activities cover theoretical and computational problems in quantum information science as well as experimental realizations of quantum devices.

Department of Applied Physics
Artistic depiction of a bright light in space / made by Ray Scipak

Quantum gases

Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) is a manifestation of macroscopic occupation of a single quantum state.

Department of Applied Physics

QCD Media Room

Media hits and research videos by the QCD group

Facilities

The samples are fabricated in Micronova cleanroom facilities.

Computational studies are performed utilizing the resources of Aalto University and CSC.

Micro and nanofabrication facilities

OtaNano offers facilities to develop innovative enabling technologies and apply them to practical micro- and nano-systems

Services
Lab and offices spaces of QCD Labs at the Micronova facility.

QCD Labs - Cryostats and measurement equipment

Cryostats and measurement equipment used in QCD Labs.

Department of Applied Physics

Latest publications

Parameter optimization for the unimon qubit

Rostislav Duda, Eric Hyyppa, Olli Mukkula, Vasilii Vadimov, Mikko Mottonen 2025 Physical Review Research

Correlation measurement of propagating microwave photons at millikelvin

Aarne Keränen, Qi Ming Chen, András Gunyhó, Priyank Singh, Jian Ma, Visa Vesterinen, Joonas Govenius, Mikko Möttönen 2025 Nature Communications

Kvanttipiirijäähdytys kohinalla

Heidi Kivijärvi 2025 Arkhimedes

Rapid on-demand generation of thermal states in superconducting quantum circuits

Timm Mörstedt, Wallace S. Teixeira, Arto Viitanen, Heidi Kivijärvi, Maaria Tiiri, Miika Rasola, Andras Marton Gunyho, Suman Kundu, Louis Lattier, Vasilii Vadimov, Gianluigi Catelani, Vasilii Sevriuk, Johannes Heinsoo, Jukka Räbinä, Joachim Ankerhold, Mikko Möttönen 2025 Physical Review Research

Proposal for an autonomous quantum heat engine

Miika Rasola, Vasilii Vadimov, Tuomas Uusnäkki, Mikko Möttönen 2025 SciPost Physics

Multiplexed readout of superconductor-normal-conductor-superconductor bolometers

Priyank Singh, András Gunyhó, Heikki Suominen, Giacomo Catto, Florian Blanchet, Qi Ming Chen, Arman Alizadeh, Aarne Keränen, Jian Ma, Timm Mörstedt, Wei Liu, Mikko Möttönen 2025 Journal of Applied Physics

Fast Multiplexed Superconducting-Qubit Readout with Intrinsic Purcell Filtering Using a Multiconductor Transmission Line

Peter A. Spring, Luka Milanovic, Yoshiki Sunada, Shiyu Wang, Arjan F. Van Loo, Shuhei Tamate, Yasunobu Nakamura 2025 PRX Quantum

Methods to achieve near-millisecond energy relaxation and dephasing times for a superconducting transmon qubit

Mikko Tuokkola, Yoshiki Sunada, Heidi Kivijarvi, Jonatan Albanese, Leif Gronberg, Jukka-Pekka Kaikkonen, Visa Vesterinen, Joonas Govenius, Mikko Mottonen 2025 Nature Communications

Dissipation and noise in strongly driven Josephson junctions

Vasilii Vadimov, Yoshiki Sunada, Mikko Mottonen 2025 SciPost Physics Core

Nonlinear-response theory for lossy superconducting quantum circuits

V. Vadimov, M. Xu, J. T. Stockburger, J. Ankerhold, M. Möttönen 2025 Physical Review Research
More information on our research in the Aalto research portal.
Research portal
QCD group photo 2025
QCD group members 2025

QCD members in the group photo 2025 (from the left): 

Back: Jinzhe Wang, Qiming Chen, Tuomas Uusnäkki, Jian Ma, Timm Mörstedt, Heikki Suominen, Shiling Yu, Ashish Panigrahi, Mikko Tuokkola, Heidi Kivijärvi, Zenghui Bao, Suman Kundu

Middle: Santtu Lukkari, Eppu Leinonen, Oskari Virtanen, Anna Vesimäki, Thanh Nguyen, Aku Hertell, Ahmad Darwish, Kaarle Lahti, Väinö Viinikka, Wei Qiu, Arun Jaiswal

Front: Petrus Väisänen, Ellen Männikkö, Alexander Tuominen, Anton Suonsivu, Vasilii Vadimov, Akhil Singh, Eemeli Forsbom, Mikko Möttönen, Aashish Sah

Research group members

Qiming Chen

Research Fellow
T304 Dept. Applied Physics

Aashish Sah

Project Employee
T304 Dept. Applied Physics
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