Amaravati hits major milestone in quantum computing, dilution refrigerator reaches 4 Kelvin

Andhra Pradesh's quantum computing facility in Amaravati has achieved a major milestone with its indigenous dilution refrigerator as it reached 4 Kelvin (minus 269 degrees Celcius). Here is what this means for the future of quantum computing in India.

In Short

• Amaravati quantum computing facility successfully tests indigenous dilution refrigerator
• The dilution refrigerator reached 4 Kelvin (minus 269 degrees)
• This marks a big step for quantum computing in India

Technology is progressing fast. Today, we hear discussions about how AI and AI agents are changing the way the world works. But there is another technology that is gaining traction globally, quantum computing. With Andhra Pradesh’s Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV) aiming to lead this field. And now, Amaravati has reached a major milestone with its indigenous dilution refrigerator reaching 4 Kelvin, or minus 269 degrees Celsius.

The indigenous dilution refrigerator was created at the Quantum Reference Facility in Medha Towers, Amaravati. The Andhra Pradesh government said this was the first major technical milestone for the state’s quantum hardware facility.

According to reports, the system was built with more than 80 per cent domestically-sourced components, making it one of the coldest temperatures achieved in a research facility in India with such a high level of local materials.

What is quantum computing?

Before we delve into why this matters, we need to understand quantum computing. You see, quantum computing is more complex than regular computers. Unlike regular computers that store information in bits – 0 or 1 – quantum computers use qubits.

In simple terms, qubits allow us to find out different probabilities and answers all at once, instead of going through each problem individually. This, in theory, can allow us to do research or solve problems that could've taken hundreds of years in days.

But qubits are far more fragile, and need precise conditions to function. They must be cooled to near absolute zero – around 15 millikelvin, colder than outer space – to maintain their quantum state. And for that, you need a dilution refrigerator.

Big step for quantum computing in India

A dilution refrigerator is designed to cool systems to temperatures just above absolute zero, typically down to 10 millikelvin, or minus 273.14 degrees Celsius. The successful achievement of 4 Kelvin marks the first stage in that process for Amaravati’s facility.

AQV said the system will continue cooling towards ultra-low millikelvin temperatures required for advanced superconducting quantum computing applications. Operating at 4 Kelvin, the dilution refrigerator at Amaravati will allow for testing and characterisation of different components including superconducting devices, quantum sensors, and cryogenic electronics. That is, it will serve as a testing ground for the full ecosystem of quantum computing hardware.

Andhra Pradesh has been working on quantum computing for some time now. In September last year, scientists, researchers, startups and industry leaders met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and presented an assessment that nearly 85 per cent of the components required for quantum computing infrastructure could be developed within India.

Since then, AQV has partnered with Qbit Force and Qubitech to map India’s quantum hardware supply chain and identify opportunities for indigenous development, especially in cryogenic technologies. In April 2026, India’s first Quantum Reference Facilities was established at Medha Towers, Amaravati, the same facility that tested the dilution refrigerator.

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