Autonomous quantum technologies (AutoQT)

量子计算机是一种新型的功能强大的计算机。它们是基于被称为量子比特的积木。为了让量子计算机工作，我们需要能够以一种可预测的方式控制量子比特。只控制一两个量子比特通常是实验室几年工作的结果，只有训练有素的研究人员才能完成。量子比特非常脆弱，需要持续细致的关注，就像马戏团表演者不断地调整盘子旋转一样。每一个新的盘子，保持它们旋转的计算能力都会增加。最终，随着如此多的平板同时在空中，现有的控制方法很快就会被淹没。为了使量子计算变得商业有用，我们需要能够同时控制数百甚至数千个量子比特。这是量子计算中最大的瓶颈。我们将通过建立一个可以控制数百个量子比特的系统来解决这一挑战，该系统可以用于不同类型的量子计算机。我们还将使用一种名为机器学习的人工智能来自动调整量子比特，并最大化它们在空中旋转的时间。这个项目汇集了英国领先的量子软件公司(Riverlane)、量子硬件公司(SeeQC UK，牛津离子公司)和研究机构(NPL，牛津大学)。他们开发了不同类型的量子比特，我们可以在上面测试我们的控制系统。牛津大学的分支机构Mind Foundry将开发一种人工智能框架，可以自动保持量子比特的“旋转”。爱丁堡大学将检测量子计算机的状态，并保证干预后的最佳性能。我们将共同努力，将量子软件和人工智能结合起来，构建一个强大而智能的量子计算机控制系统。我们的项目将总部位于英国的学术和工业组织聚集在一起，以加强英国的量子产业，并帮助生产量子计算机，这些计算机将改变金融、药物发现和材料开发等几个行业的工作方式。

Quantum computers are a new type of powerful computer. They are based on building blocks called qubits. For quantum computers to work, we need to be able to control qubits in a predictable way. Controlling just one or two qubits is often the culmination of several years' work in a laboratory and can only be performed by highly trained researchers. Qubits are extremely fragile and require constant delicate attention, like the continuous tweaks of a circus performer keeping a plate spinning. With each new plate, the amount of computing power to keep them spinning increases. Eventually, with so many plates in the air at the same time, existing control methods quickly become overwhelmed.For quantum computing to become commercially useful, we need to be able to control hundreds or even thousands of qubits at the same time. This is the biggest bottleneck in quantum computing. We will solve this challenge by building a system that can control hundreds of qubits and that can be used across different types of quantum computers. We will also use a type of artificial intelligence called machine learning to automate the tuning of qubits and maximise the time they are 'spinning in the air'.This project brings together the UK's leading quantum software company (Riverlane), quantum hardware companies (SeeQC UK, Oxford Ionics) and research organisations (NPL, University of Oxford). They develop different types of qubits that we can test our control system on. Mind Foundry, a University of Oxford spin-out, will develop the artificial intelligence framework that can automatically keep the qubits "spinning". The University of Edinburgh will detect the state of the quantum computer and guarantee optimum performance after intervention.We will work together to combine quantum software and artificial intelligence to build a control system for quantum computers that is powerful and intelligent. Our project brings together UK-based academic and industrial organisations to strengthen the UK quantum industry and help produce quantum computers that will transform the way several industries, such as finance, drug discovery and materials development, work.