Cornell College
NIST Research Intern
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
I will discuss methods I developed for securing silicon chips designed for quantum information directly onto printed circuit boards for operation and measurement at milliKelvin temperatures. The chips are currently connected by a tedious and fragile approach known as “wirebonding”. My efforts focused on reflow soldering, a common practice used in electronics manufacturing that provides robust and reliable connections but is unproven for cryogenic applications. Through systematic research and testing, I implemented a reflow process that is designed to create strong mechanical and electrical connections between the chip and PCB, capable of enduring these harsh conditions. This study improves our understanding of how electronic assemblies perform at cryogenic temperatures, supporting advancements in fields such as quantum computing, electronics, and scientific instrumentation.
Hello, my name is Brynn Schierenbeck and I am a recent graduate from Cornell College with a major in General Engineering. I have a wide foundation of knowledge in Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering with a particular passion for Physics. Over the past four years, I have dedicated my time to starting a campus Engineering Club, tutoring local community middle-schoolers in their Physics and Engineering competitions, and working inseveral offices as a representative of the college. I am beyond excited to be one of this year’s interns at the National Institute of Standards in Technology and look forward to expanding on my previous experience at SPS!