The simplicity of encoding a qubit in the state of a single electron spin and the potential for their integration into industry-standard microchips continue to drive the field of semiconductor-based quantum computing. After a series of key first-principles demonstrations validating universal gate operations, initialization and readout, three-qubit algorithms have already been realized with silicon-based quantum dots in past years. Devices containing more qubits have become available since then but experiments have not gone beyond meeting the DiVincenzo criteria. In this work, we fully exploit the capacity of a spin-qubit array and implement a six-qubit quantum circuit, the largest utilizing semiconductor quantum technology. By programming the quantum processor, we execute quantum circuits across all permutations of three, four, five, and six neighboring qubits, demonstrating successful programmable multi-qubit operation throughout the array. Using an error model that incorporates quasi-static noise allows us to qualitatively explain some key trends in our experimental results and highlight the necessity to minimize idling times through simultaneous operations, extending dephasing times, and consistently improving state preparation and measurement fidelities.

Solid-state qubits are sensitive to their microscopic environment, causing the qubit properties to fluctuate on a wide range of timescales. The sub-Hz end of the spectrum is usually dealt with by repeated background calibrations, which bring considerable overhead. It is thus important to characterize and understand the low-frequency variations of the relevant qubit characteristics. In this study, we investigate the stability of spin qubit frequencies in the Si/SiGe quantum dot platform. We find that the calibrated qubit frequencies of a six-qubit device vary by up to ±100 MHz while performing a variety of experiments over a span of 912 days. These variations are sensitive to the precise voltage settings of the gate electrodes, however when these are kept constant to within 15 µV, the qubit frequencies vary by less than ±7 MHz over periods up to 36 days. During overnight scans, the qubit frequencies of ten qubits across two different devices show a standard deviation below 200 kHz within a 1-hour time window. The qubit frequency noise spectral density shows roughly a 1/f trend above 10⁻⁴ Hz and, strikingly, a steeper trend at even lower frequencies.

Citing prior work is an important step of scientific progress. However, when bias enters the process, consciously or unconsciously, it can lead to significant consequences. In this commentary, I explore the role of gender in citation bias and highlight its potential impact on equity and diversity in the scientific community.