Menlo Micro and Purdue University Advance Commercial Cryogenic Switching for Scalable Quantum Computing
Commercial-ready Cryogenic Switching Technology Reduces Complexity and Cost, Accelerating the Adoption of Large-scale Quantum Systems.
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IRVINE, Calif, March 3, 2026 – Menlo Microsystems Inc. (Menlo Micro), a leader in high-performance electronic switches, today announced a significant milestone in collaboration with Purdue University, demonstrating a commercial-ready architecture for quantum control and readout electronics at cryogenic temperatures. The work recently published in the Nature Microsystems & Nanoengineering journal demonstrates Menlo Micro’s cryogenic MEMS Ideal Switch® platform in scalable quantum computing applications, designed to enable commercialization in the emerging, rapid growth quantum market.
The study demonstrates a scalable next-generation signal multiplexing architecture that addresses a critical bottleneck in quantum systems: the interconnect challenge between room-temperature electronics and cryogenic quantum processors. This was achieved by leveraging cryogenically capable MEMS switch-based multiplexers to reduce wiring complexity, thermal load, and system cost, enabling high-fidelity communication between electronics and quantum bits (qubits).
“We are excited to partner with Menlo Micro on research that bridges device-level innovation and system-level impact,” said Prof. Luna Lu, vice president of Purdue’s Office of Industry Partnerships. “This study demonstrates how commercially available MEMS switch technology can be leveraged to solve key scalability challenges in quantum computing, accelerating the adoption of deployable, large-scale systems.”
The MEMS switch multiplexers showed superior cryogenic performance, reliably operating for more than 100 million switching cycles. Beyond signal routing, the collaboration also demonstrated NAND and NOR logic gate operations at cryogenic temperatures using the same MEMS switch technology. This milestone shows that Menlo Micro’s switches can support digital logic functions directly within a cryogenic environment, enabling local control and decision-making closer to the quantum processor. For quantum system designers, the advantages of reduced wiring complexity and thermal load support the scalable architecture required for next-generation, large-scale quantum computers.
Purdue researchers characterized the platform at approximately 5.8 kelvin, measuring better than 0.5 dB insertion loss and 35 dB isolation, as well as dynamic switch response, including gate-drive techniques that eliminate switch bouncing. These results validated the reliability and repeatability of both multiplexing and logic operations, reinforcing the suitability of MEMS switches as key components in cryogenic multiplexers for current and future quantum systems.
“This work demonstrates how Menlo Micro’s commercial cryogenic switches can be deployed as a scalable solution for next-generation quantum systems,” said Russ Garcia, CEO of Menlo Micro. “By addressing the interconnect bottleneck with a manufacturable, high-performance platform, we are enabling practical quantum architectures while expanding our addressable market across cryogenic and advanced computing applications.”
“Our work demonstrates that Menlo Micro’s highly reliable MEMS switch can be readily adapted for cryogenic operation through gate waveform engineering, enabling compact, scalable, and high-performance RF multiplexing critical for large-scale quantum systems,” said Connor Devitt, researcher at Purdue University.
Menlo Micro will showcase its Ideal Switch technology at TestConX. To learn more, visit the team at Booth 61.
About Menlo Micro
Menlo Micro sets a new standard for switches with the Ideal Switch, a chip-scale platform that overcomes performance, efficiency, and scalability bottlenecks of electromechanical relays (EMRs) and semiconductor-based switches. It’s the first disruptive switching technology in over 30 years and the only platform scalable across both power and frequency domains. The Ideal Switch enables smaller, lighter, faster, more reliable, and energy-efficient systems. From AI to aerospace, defense and power electronics, the Ideal Switch eliminates bottlenecks and reduces the total cost of ownership across today’s most demanding applications. Menlo Micro unlocks new possibilities. For more information, visit www.menlomicro.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and X.
Menlo Media Contact
Natasha Le Marquand natasha@napierb2b.com
Phone: +44 (0)1243 531123
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a leading global research university in engineering, science, and technology. The university partners with industry to accelerate the development of transformative technologies with real-world impact. Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among the top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap, advancing research, innovation, education, and global impact across science, engineering, technology, and beyond.
Media Contact:
Kristin Malavenda kmalaven@purdue.edu
Phone: +1 765‑494‑3547
Get in touch for orders or any queries: sales@rfdesign.co.za / +27 21 555 8400
Courtesy of Menlo Micro
