Breakthrough Superconducting Technology: Imec’s NbTiN Circuits and 30nm Interconnects

Imec Unveils Innovative 3ML NbTiN-Based Josephson Junction Circuit at ASC 2026

Imec recently showcased a cutting-edge three-metal-level (3ML) niobium-titanium-nitride (NbTiN) Josephson junction circuit at the prestigious 2026 Applied Superconductivity Conference (ASC). This revolutionary circuit design boasts an impressive circuit density of 3.8 million junctions per cm2.

The breakthrough 3ML NbTiN Josephson junction circuit introduced at ASC marks a significant advancement in superconducting technology. Notably, it features ultra-thin superconducting wires scaled down to a remarkable 30nm linewidth, underscoring Imec’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of NbTiN-based superconducting technology for next-generation High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications.

Pushing the Limits of Nb-Based Technology

Traditionally, niobium (Nb)-based superconducting technology has faced limitations in scalability across various domains. However, Imec’s innovative NbTiN-based circuit leverages 300mm CMOS-compatible processes to achieve competitive scaling capabilities.

By incorporating three metal levels and reducing junction diameters to as small as 150nm, along with implementing three layers of high-density and low-loss NbTiN routing (comprising wires and vias), Imec’s platform opens up possibilities for passive transmission lines that integrate inductors, ground planes, and clock or power resonators.

The groundbreaking reduction of NbTiN metal wire linewidth to 30nm represents a significant leap in superconducting technology, surpassing the capabilities of conventional Nb-based technology by a factor of ten.

Imec’s NbTiN-based technology offers tunable superconducting properties, such as critical current density (Jc) and critical current (Ic), allowing for tailored solutions across a diverse range of applications requiring Josephson junction circuits and interconnects.

Driving Innovation with a Heterogeneous Approach

Richard Rouse, Director of the Superconducting Digital Program at Imec, highlights the organization’s strategic vision: “Through our superconducting digital program, we aim to collaborate with foundries, hyperscalers, and system companies to advance NbTiN superconducting technology. Our program is structured around three key pillars: process technology, design and EDA enablement, and system-level scaling focused on 2.5D and 3D integration to facilitate the co-integration of superconducting devices with other technologies. This heterogeneous approach not only enhances capabilities in HPC and AI but also unlocks new opportunities in quantum control and readout, neuromorphic computing, and high-resolution single photon detection for applications in space exploration and biomedicine.”