Establishing traceable measurement infrastructure for Europe’s coldest and most demanding technologies
Project overview
A European measurement infrastructure for the coldest quantum and semiconductor technologies
The commercialisation of quantum technologies demands standardised characterisation of Radio Frequency (RF) semiconductor and electronic devices operating at 4 K and below. These devices enable low-noise, low-power operation and shield quantum circuits from environmental noise. Progress has been hindered by the lack of traceable, accurate cryogenic RF measurements, limiting device validation, design optimisation, and scalability.
This project will establish a European infrastructure for cryogenic RF metrology, extending International System of Units (SI) traceability and enabling robust measurements up to 40 GHz under cryogenic conditions. This initiative will accelerate innovation and position Europe as a global leader in quantum and semiconductor technologies.
25IEM08 CryoRF Publishable Summary
From uncertainty at cryogenic temperatures to confidence across Europe
Objectives
Building Europe’s cryogenic RF measurement capability
CryoRF will deliver accurate, traceable test and measurement methods that help designers and manufacturers validate components and systems operating at cryogenic temperatures.
Three measurement priorities
01
Traceable
S-parameters
Create measurement systems and calibration techniques for accurate characterisation of cryogenic RF and quantum circuits - up to 40 GHz.
WP 1
02
Cryogenic
RF power
Develop power sensors and methods that combine classical and quantum-based approaches for traceable measurements at cryogenic temperatures.
WP 2
03
Cryogenic RF noise
Establish methods for traceable, accurate noise characterisation at cryogenic temperatures.
WP 3
Validate together
Run first-of-its-kind interlaboratory comparisons across S-parameter, power and noise measurements.
WP 1 - 3
Enable take-up
Drive adoption of the technologies and European measurement infrastructure developed through CryoRF.
WP 4
Work packages
Work package 01
Traceable cryogenic S-parameter measurements
Establishing the reference standards, calibration techniques and cross-laboratory confidence needed for cryogenic S-parameter measurements.
Measurement capability at a glance
4 K → 10 mK
Temperature range
≤ 40 GHz
Frequency coverage
WP1 will make accurate cryogenic S-parameter characterisation practical for both connectorized and on-wafer devices, including measurements using industry-grade connectors.
The result: a traceable measurement approach that can be compared between laboratories.
Cryogenic on-wafer probe station
What WP1 will deliver
01
Reference standards
Traceable cryogenic S-parameter measurements across the target temperature and frequency range.
02
Device-ready methods
Accurate characterisation for connectorized and on-wafer devices, including industry-grade connectors.
03
Shared confidence
Interlaboratory comparison of cryogenic S-parameter measurements.
Work package 02
Traceable RF power measurements from 4 K down to 10 mK
Combining robust classical sensors with ultra-sensitive quantum devices to improve RF power measurements at cryogenic temperatures.
Representative cryogenic RF measurement system
Two complementary sensor pathways
01
Classical sensors
Traceable power sensors for operation at 4 K, improving RF power accuracy and enabling validation through interlaboratory comparison.
02
Quantum sensors
Ultra-sensitive power sensors for millikelvin operation, validated using the classical measurement approach.
One measurement framework, spanning distinct cryogenic operating regimes.What WP2 will deliver
01
Traceable accuracy
Classical-type power sensors and methods for accurate measurements at 4 K.
02
Quantum sensitivity
Ultra-sensitive quantum-based sensors for millikelvin operation.
03
Practical deployment
Validated techniques for connectorized and on-wafer measurement scenarios.
Work package 03
Traceable cryogenic RF noise measurements at 4 K and below
Building traceable methods to characterise and compare extremely low noise levels, from 4 K into the millikelvin regime.
Two regimes. One traceable approach.
4 K and below
Traceable noise source
mK
Parametric amplifiers
WP3 will establish accurate cryogenic noise measurements at 4 K and below and characterise near-quantum-limited parametric amplifiers under millikelvin conditions.
The goal: results that laboratories can compare with confidence.
Noise parameter analyser
From reference to confidence
01
Create the reference
Develop a traceable cryogenic noise source for accurate measurements at 4 K and below.
02
Characterise devices
Measure commercial HEMT LNA at 4 K and near-quantum-limited parametric amplifiers at millikelvin temperatures.
03
Compare results
Run an interlaboratory comparison of cryogenic noise measurements.
Work package 04
Turning capability into lasting European impact
Connecting industry, standards bodies and Europe’s metrology community so CryoRF knowledge becomes practical, shared capability.
Impact is designed in - not added later.
WP4 turns technical results into guidance, skills and coordinated routes to adoption.
4
Good Practice Guides
Practical methods that laboratories and industry can use.
4
Live learning events
Two workshops plus two short training courses.
≥15
Planned publications
Across journals, conferences and the specialist trade press.
Industry → Standards → Uptake
A clear pathway from user needs to wider European capability.
A route to scale
MESQI
Measurement for European Semiconductor and Quantum Industries
A proposed scheme to connect the measurement capabilities developed across Europe with the industries that need them.
Backed by an exploitation plan and a roadmap for a coordinated network of European NMIs in cryogenic RF metrology.
From knowledge to lasting uptake
01
Align with users
An Industrial Interest & Steering Group keeps outputs relevant to real measurement needs.
02
Share what works
A knowledge hub, guides, videos and training make methods easier to adopt.
03
Influence and scale
Input to CEN-CENELEC, IEC/ISO and IEEE, plus a roadmap for coordinated European capability.
Consortium
19 partners. One European measurement network.
National metrology institutes, research organisations and industry working together to advance cryogenic RF capability.
A consortium built for reach and relevance
Partner composition
7
National metrology institutes
5
Research institutes
7
Industrial companies
Together, the partners connect national capability, applied research and industrial uptake.
Distributed across Europe. Coordinated through CryoRF.
Partner organisations
A balanced partnership spanning metrology, research and industry.
Creating impact
Publications
Research papers, technical reports and other project publications will be listed here as they become available.
Workshop and events
The project will organise and contribute to workshops, conferences and other knowledge-sharing activities. Details of upcoming events and presentation materials will be added here.
Newsletters
Newsletters will be published every 9 months of this project
Good Practice guides
The project will develop good practice guides to support accurate, traceable and reproducible measurements for quantum and semiconductor technologies. Relevant documents will be made available as they are published.
Contact information
Your enquiry will reach the Project Coordinator
We welcome conversations with organisations developing, measuring or adopting cryogenic RF technologies.
Get in touch about
01
Measurement challenges and capability needs
02
Industry engagement, training and knowledge exchange
03
Collaboration and access to project outputs
The team will route your message to the most relevant CryoRF partner.
Contact the CryoRF team
Whether you are looking for measurement expertise, collaboration opportunities, training or information about CryoRF, we'd be pleased to hear from you.
Email the project team and we'll connect you with the most appropriate partner organisation.
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