Compilation & Circuit Layout Optimisation For Superconducting Quantum Processor

牛津量子电路有限公司（OQC）成立于2017年6月，正在开发基于超导电路的量子计算处理器。OQC的一个基本业务问题是什么应用（量子算法）最适合他们的技术，以及如何最有效地实现能够运行这些应用程序的第一代处理器，从而产生销售。该项目从两个角度解决了这一挑战；由剑桥量子计算有限公司（CQC）开发专用于OQC硬件架构的量子编译器，以及具有不同连接图的电路布局的原型开发和评估。这两个方向将与量子算法映射到OQC架构的评估相结合，为OQC研发的下一阶段发展提供明确的方向。量子算法通常是用高级数学语言给出的，在设计时没有考虑到特定的硬件体系结构。这使得OQC及其客户很难充分发挥该技术的潜力。本项目旨在通过演示将量子算法有效地编译到oqc架构上的软件来解决这个问题。软件模块将作为用户和硬件之间的接口；使这项技术能够运行量子程序。使用CQC开发的IP将有助于最大限度地利用可用硬件。了解量子程序如何映射到架构也将为OQC构建的下一代设备的设计决策提供信息。该项目将通过在硬件中对关键概念进行原型设计来证明这些决策的可行性。新的软件加上原型硬件将展示OQC构建的下一代量子计算机的能力的一个步骤变化。

Oxford Quantum Circuits Limited (OQC), established in June 2017, are developing quantum computing processors based on superconducting circuits. A fundamental business question for OQC is what applications (quantum algorithms) are best suited for their technology, and how to most efficiently realise first generation processors that will be capable of running these applications, and hence generate sales. This project addresses this challenge from two angles; development by Cambridge Quantum Computing Limited (CQC) of a quantum compiler dedicated to the OQC hardware architecture, and prototype development and assessment of circuit layouts with differing connectivity maps. These two directions will be combined with assessment of mapping of quantum algorithms onto the OQC architecture to produce clear direction for OQC R&D in the next phase of its development.Quantum algorithms are typically given in a high level mathematical language, and are not designed with particular hardware architectures in mind. This makes it challenging for OQC and its customers to realise the full potential of the technology. This project seeks to address this problem by demonstrating software that efficiently compiles quantum algorithms onto theOQC architecture. The software module will act as an interface between users and the hardware; enabling the technology to run quantum programs. Using IP developed by CQC will facilitate getting the most out of the available hardware.Understanding how quantum programs are mapped to the architecture will also inform the design decisions for the next generation device built by OQC. The project will demonstrate the feasibility of these decisions by prototyping the key concept in hardware. The new software plus prototyped hardware will demonstrate a step change in the capabilities of the next generation quantum computer built by OQC.