Researchers in Finland are developing new thermionic coolers that could significantly reduce the size and power consumption of quantum computer refrigerators. Quantum computers require temperatures close to absolute zero to operate, and currently rely on large and complex dilution refrigerators. The new coolers, based on thermionic devices, use electronic methods of refrigeration and control phonon flow, a major challenge for thermionic coolers. The researchers have achieved promising results, lowering a silicon chip’s temperature to nearly half of its surroundings. They are now working on commercializing the technology, with potential applications beyond quantum computing, such as satellites and cryo-enabled sensing technologies.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/cryogenics