Developing a photonic interface for superconducting quantum processors

量子计算机有潜力解决特定的算法，使我们能够更好地模拟复杂的系统，与经典的二进制计算相比，速度和精度都有所提高。最终，需要有一个与外部“经典”世界的连接，或者一种连接量子计算机以实现网络功能的方法。基于超导电路的量子处理器必须被冷却到低温，隔离处于受控量子状态的量子位，因此这是建立物理互连的主要技术挑战。这里提出的解决方案是实现一个光学接口，允许在最小热负载的情况下从低温环境中传输数据;此外，光子电路适合于高速调制，每比特的能量成本低。本研究计画的主要目的是设计、制作与测试一个超导量子处理器的光学介面。学生将有一个令人兴奋的机会与行业赞助商SEEQC密切合作，SEEQC致力于为全球企业提供商业可扩展和具有成本效益的数字量子计算平台。

Quantum computers have the potential to solve specific algorithms allowing us to better simulate complex systems at increased speed and accuracy compared with classical binary computing. Ultimately, there needs to be a connection to the outside 'classical' world or a means to interface quantum computers for networking functionality. Quantum processors based on superconducting circuitry must be cooled to cryogenic temperatures, isolating qubits in a controlled quantum state, and therefore posses a major technical challenge for establishing a physical interconnect. The solution proposed here, it to implement an optical interface that would allow data transfer from a low-temperature environment with minimal thermal load; additionally, photonic circuits lend themselves to high-speed modulation with low energy cost per bit. The outline of this research project is to design, fabricate and test an optical interface for superconducting quantum processors. The student will have an exciting opportunity to work closely with the industry sponsor SEEQC, who are working to deliver a commercially scalable and cost-effective digital quantum computing platform for global businesses.