​​Mikko Möttönen​

Qubits are the basic units of quantum information, storing and processing data using fragile quantum states. To preserve these states and prevent loss of information, qubits must be kept at temperatures near absolute zero. At such levels, quantum systems emit extremely weak microwave signals. Standard detectors often fail to measure them accurately, either introducing thermal noise or lacking the calibration accuracy required for real-world applications. 

Möttönen’s solution is a cryogenic analyser based on an ultra-sensitive bolometer—a detector that measures the power of microwave signals by sensing the tiny amount of heat they generate. Using superconducting materials, the device suppresses noise and allows extremely precise measurements without disturbing the fragile quantum system. The analyser is broadband and includes a built-in self-calibration mechanism.  It integrates a small internal heater, separate from the signal input, which applies a known amount of heating power to the system. By observing how the device responds to this controlled input, it is possible to calibrate the detector's measurements with high accuracy without relying on an external reference source. Engineers can then detect even the faintest radiation leakage or electromagnetic interference and receive the critical diagnostic insight needed to optimise quantum hardware. 

Intellectual property as a catalyst for commercialisation

At Aalto University, Möttönen and his colleagues set out to build the world's most sensitive bolometers for cryogenic research, supported by successive European Research Council (ERC) grants. These multi-year grants enabled the team to explore and refine cryogenic sensor technologies at the very limits of sensitivity. During this process, Möttönen and his team realised that their ultra-sensitive devices could also detect minuscule power leaks and electromagnetic noise that disrupt quantum hardware. They pivoted from fundamental research to a quantum-enabling tool, laying the groundwork for a 2018 patent. 

Moving from lab to market, Möttönen co-founded IQM Quantum Computers in 2018 while spinning out from the university. He views intellectual property (IP) as vital for technology transfer, "When spinning out a new company, it is vital to have strong IP from the very beginning. Investors aren't just putting money into an abstract idea; they are investing in something that is formally protected, which significantly reduces their risk." Further, he underscores the strategic role of patents in building a competitive business, noting that companies often build patent portfolios to secure market positions even when individual patents are not breakthrough inventions. 

About the inventor

Mikko Möttönen is a Full Professor of Quantum Technology at Aalto University and a leading figure in the European quantum ecosystem. In 2025, he was appointed as an Academy Professor, Finland’s highest research distinction. His work has been supported by successive ERC grants and the Academy of Finland. Beyond his academic roles, Möttönen is a serial entrepreneur, having co-founded IQM Quantum Computers and the quantum algorithm company QMill in 2024. He has held international research fellowships at the University of New South Wales and UC Berkeley.