10,996 research outputs found
Quantum interface between an electrical circuit and a single atom
We show how to bridge the divide between atomic systems and electronic
devices by engineering a coupling between the motion of a single ion and the
quantized electric field of a resonant circuit. Our method can be used to
couple the internal state of an ion to the quantized circuit with the same
speed as the internal-state coupling between two ions. All the well-known
quantum information protocols linking ion internal and motional states can be
converted to protocols between circuit photons and ion internal states. Our
results enable quantum interfaces between solid state qubits, atomic qubits,
and light, and lay the groundwork for a direct quantum connection between
electrical and atomic metrology standards.Comment: Supplemental material available on reques
What is a quantum simulator?
Quantum simulators are devices that actively use quantum effects to answer
questions about model systems and, through them, real systems. Here we expand
on this definition by answering several fundamental questions about the nature
and use of quantum simulators. Our answers address two important areas. First,
the difference between an operation termed simulation and another termed
computation. This distinction is related to the purpose of an operation, as
well as our confidence in and expectation of its accuracy. Second, the
threshold between quantum and classical simulations. Throughout, we provide a
perspective on the achievements and directions of the field of quantum
simulation.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figure
Full-Stack, Real-System Quantum Computer Studies: Architectural Comparisons and Design Insights
In recent years, Quantum Computing (QC) has progressed to the point where
small working prototypes are available for use. Termed Noisy Intermediate-Scale
Quantum (NISQ) computers, these prototypes are too small for large benchmarks
or even for Quantum Error Correction, but they do have sufficient resources to
run small benchmarks, particularly if compiled with optimizations to make use
of scarce qubits and limited operation counts and coherence times. QC has not
yet, however, settled on a particular preferred device implementation
technology, and indeed different NISQ prototypes implement qubits with very
different physical approaches and therefore widely-varying device and machine
characteristics.
Our work performs a full-stack, benchmark-driven hardware-software analysis
of QC systems. We evaluate QC architectural possibilities, software-visible
gates, and software optimizations to tackle fundamental design questions about
gate set choices, communication topology, the factors affecting benchmark
performance and compiler optimizations. In order to answer key cross-technology
and cross-platform design questions, our work has built the first top-to-bottom
toolflow to target different qubit device technologies, including
superconducting and trapped ion qubits which are the current QC front-runners.
We use our toolflow, TriQ, to conduct {\em real-system} measurements on 7
running QC prototypes from 3 different groups, IBM, Rigetti, and University of
Maryland. From these real-system experiences at QC's hardware-software
interface, we make observations about native and software-visible gates for
different QC technologies, communication topologies, and the value of
noise-aware compilation even on lower-noise platforms. This is the largest
cross-platform real-system QC study performed thus far; its results have the
potential to inform both QC device and compiler design going forward.Comment: Preprint of a publication in ISCA 201
Quantum Computing
Quantum mechanics---the theory describing the fundamental workings of
nature---is famously counterintuitive: it predicts that a particle can be in
two places at the same time, and that two remote particles can be inextricably
and instantaneously linked. These predictions have been the topic of intense
metaphysical debate ever since the theory's inception early last century.
However, supreme predictive power combined with direct experimental observation
of some of these unusual phenomena leave little doubt as to its fundamental
correctness. In fact, without quantum mechanics we could not explain the
workings of a laser, nor indeed how a fridge magnet operates. Over the last
several decades quantum information science has emerged to seek answers to the
question: can we gain some advantage by storing, transmitting and processing
information encoded in systems that exhibit these unique quantum properties?
Today it is understood that the answer is yes. Many research groups around the
world are working towards one of the most ambitious goals humankind has ever
embarked upon: a quantum computer that promises to exponentially improve
computational power for particular tasks. A number of physical systems,
spanning much of modern physics, are being developed for this task---ranging
from single particles of light to superconducting circuits---and it is not yet
clear which, if any, will ultimately prove successful. Here we describe the
latest developments for each of the leading approaches and explain what the
major challenges are for the future.Comment: 26 pages, 7 figures, 291 references. Early draft of Nature 464, 45-53
(4 March 2010). Published version is more up-to-date and has several
corrections, but is half the length with far fewer reference
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