Quantum computers, which operate leveraging effects rooted in quantum mechanics, have the potential of tackling some computational and optimization tasks that cannot be solved by classical computers. Instead of bits (i.e., binary digits), which are the basic units of information in classical computers, quantum computers rely on so-called qubits.

Qubits, the quantum equivalent of bits, are not restricted to binary states (i.e., 0 or 1), but can exist in superpositions of these states. One common type of qubits used to fabricate quantum processors are so-called semiconductor quantum dots.

Quantum dots are small electrically confined regions that can trap individual charge carriers. To manipulate these qubits, most quantum engineers currently rely on high-frequency electrical signals, as opposed to low-frequency baseband signals.