Hybrid compilation framework to accelerate quantum application development (CATALYST)

量子计算机是一种新型的功能强大的计算机，它基于被称为量子比特的积木，比传统计算机上的比特更有效地携带信息。量子计算机有可能实现比传统计算机快几个数量级的计算时间。虽然量子比特的工作方式与传统比特不同，但计算流程有些相似：当我们想要运行算法时，我们编写一些代码行，这些代码被翻译成所谓的量子电路，然后在得出结果之前对量子比特进行一系列操作。然而，目前，这一过程远不是最佳的，运行计算所需的量子前步骤所需的时间高得令人望而却步。为了让量子计算机变得商业有用，我们不仅需要优化我们想要运行的算法，将它们所需的资源降至最低，还需要减少将它们转换为一系列操作所需的时间，然后这些操作可以在量子比特上运行。尽管这对量子计算机来说是一个重要的问题，但到目前为止，解决这个问题的工作还很少。另一个问题是，量子产业目前非常分散，仍处于早期发展阶段。该项目汇集了来自英国和加拿大的领先量子软硬件公司-Riverlane和Xanadu-以帮助解决提高量子算法质量的技术挑战，使它们在量子比特上更容易、更快、更好地运行。Riverlane将致力于实现允许算法使用更少资源运行的技术，而世外桃源将开发一种新的经典-量子混合编译器，该编译器将显著减少计算时间，并允许用户以最佳方式使用适当的资源。动力和推进系统领域的领先者罗尔斯-罗伊斯将领导这一项目，提供当今量子计算机无法解决的真实世界测试案例。劳斯莱斯还将开发新的应用软件，以最大限度地利用Riverlane和Xanadu的开发。合作伙伴将合作，结合量子软件、硬件和算法的改进，显著改善运行量子算法的时间和结果。我们的项目汇集了来自英国和加拿大的公司，以帮助开发量子计算机，这些计算机将改变金融、制药、航空航天等几个部门设计和开发产品的方式。

Quantum computers are new types of powerful computers that are based on building blocks called qubits, that carry information in a more effective way than the bits on a conventional computer. Quantum computers have the potential to achieve computational times that are orders of magnitude faster than conventional computers.While qubits work differently from conventional bits, the computation workflow is somewhat similar: when we wish to run an algorithm, we write some lines of code that get translated into the so-called quantum circuit which then enacts a series of operations on the qubits before delivering a result. However, at the moment, this process is far from optimal, and the times needed for the pre-quantum steps required to run a calculation are prohibitively high. For quantum computers to become commercially useful, we need to not only optimise the algorithms we want to run and minimise the resources they need, but also reduce the time needed to translate them into a series of operations that can be then run on the qubits.While this constitutes an important problem for quantum computers, so far very little work has been done to address it. Another problem is that the quantum industry is currently very fragmented and still in its early stage of development.This project brings together leading quantum software and hardware companies from the UK and Canada - Riverlane and Xanadu - to help solve the technical challenge of improving the quality of the quantum algorithms and making them run easier, faster and better on the qubits. Riverlane will work on implementing techniques that allow algorithms to run using less resources, while Xanadu will develop a new hybrid classical-quantum compiler that will significantly decrease the calculation times and will allow users to use the appropriate resources in an optimal way. Rolls-Royce, a leader in power and propulsion systems will lead this project, providing real-world testcases that cannot be solved by today's quantum computers. Rolls-Royce will also develop new application software to best exploit the Riverlane and Xanadu developments.The partners will work together to combine improvements in quantum software, hardware and algorithms to significantly improve the runtime and results when running quantum algorithms. Our project brings together companies from UK and Canada to help develop quantum computers that will transform the way several sectors, such as finance, pharmaceuticals, aerospace etc. design and develop their products.