MRI: Development of a Next-Generation Modular Ion-Trap Quantum Computer

量子计算机可以处理一些使用传统计算机难以解决的计算问题，从困难的优化问题到复杂化学和先进材料等物理现象的建模。这里将要开发的仪器将支持具有模块化和可扩展体系结构的下一代量子计算机系统的设计和制造。新系统的特点是两台较小的量子计算机之间的互联，可以扩展到更多的模块。这种体系结构基于两个相互作用的原子簇，这些原子由激光控制，模块之间的互连由光纤中的单个光子提供。该项目的目标是(I)推进将单个原子量子存储器与光纤接口并列的系统工程，(Ii)展示用光子开关控制的具有多个模块的大规模量子计算机的道路，以及(Iii)部署利用系统的模块化连接模式的量子应用和算法。杜克大学当地和来访的科学家和工程师将使用这种新的量子计算机，运行从机器学习和优化到化学模拟以及材料和核物理中的许多身体现象等领域的科学应用。量子计算机在解决许多使用传统计算机难以解决的问题方面大有可为。该仪器项目将支持下一代量子计算机系统的设计、制造和测试，供量子信息界用于科学研究。该系统由两台分离的离子陷阱量子计算机组成，每台计算机都由激光控制，并与穿过光纤的单光子相连。这种模块化的体系结构可以扩展到两个以上的模块，以便扩展到足够大的量子计算机，以便在应用于特定问题时挑战或取代传统计算机的性能。该项目设想的装置将利用现有的控制技术、离子陷阱芯片和最新的光子技术来建造和运行这台下一代研究量子计算机。科学家和工程师将可以使用该仪器测试分子和材料模拟、量子纠错和量子机器学习等领域的量子协议。这种设备的使用将把来自许多不同领域的科学家和工程师聚集在一起，共同设计量子计算机以满足他们的应用，并推动这种新的计算形式。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Quantum computers can tackle some computational problems that are intractable using conventional computers, ranging from hard optimization problems to the modeling of physical phenomena such as complex chemistry and advanced materials. The instrumentation to be developed here will support the design and fabrication of a next-generation quantum computer system with a modular and scalable architecture. The new system features an interconnection between two smaller quantum computers in a way that can be extended to many more modules. This architecture is based on two clusters of interacting individual atoms controlled with laser beams, with the interconnection between modules provided by individual photons in an optical fiber. The goals in this project are to (i) advance the systems engineering of juxtaposing individual atom quantum memories with optical fiber interfaces, (ii) show the way toward a large-scale quantum computer with many modules and controlled with photonic switches, and (iii) deploy quantum applications and algorithms that exploit the modular connection pattern of the system. The new quantum computer will be used by local and visiting scientists and engineers at Duke for running scientific applications in fields ranging from machine learning and optimization to simulations of chemistry and many body phenomena in materials and nuclear physics. Quantum computers hold great promise for solving many classes of problems that are intractable using conventional computers. This instrumentation project will support the design, fabrication, and testing of a next-generation quantum computer system to be used by the quantum information community for scientific research. The system is composed of two separated ion trap quantum computers, each controlled with laser beams and connected with single photons traversing optical fibers. This modular architecture can be extended to more than two modules for the scaling to quantum computers large enough to challenge or supersede the performance of conventional computers when applied to particular problems. The device envisioned in this project will leverage existing control technology, ion trap chips, and the latest photonic technology to build and operate this next generation research quantum computer. The instrument will be available to scientists and engineers to test quantum protocols in areas such as molecular and material simulation, quantum error correction, and quantum machine learning. The use of this device will bring together scientists and engineers from many disparate areas to co-design quantum computers to their applications and propel this new form of computing.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.