Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BRISQ (Brisk Rydberg Ions for Scalable Quantum Processors)
Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2023-09-30
The EU-funded BRISQ project aims to create a prototype of a quantum computer capable of running quantum algorithms with a circuit depth exceeding one million. Achieving this goal would be a major breakthrough in quantum information processing and simulation. This would directly impact applications, where quantum technology is explored for computational tasks like designing materials, developing drugs, and solving optimization problems – tasks that require a large computational depth.
The technological approach of BRISQ exploits trapped ions excited to electronically high-lying Rydberg states. Such Rydberg ions exhibit powerful and long-range interactions. The distinctive advantage of this platform is that it offers coherence times in the range of up to a minute together with fast entangling gate speeds on the order of 100ns. These two factors are key for achieving an unprecedented circuit depth and thus computational complexity.
Research on Rydberg-ion devices is currently conducted in two European research labs. Notably, one partner of the BRISQ consortium has achieved the first nanosecond-timescale entangling gate based on this approach, positioning them uniquely and giving Europe a decisive lead in advancing this new platform toward maturity.
To drive this effort, the BRISQ project brings together a research consortium comprising experimental, and theoretical academic research groups, as well as industrial partners. Their diverse expertise allows them to tackle the ambitious project from multiple angles, spanning industrial-grade hardware to user-driven quantum algorithms and compiler software. Ultimately, these advancements can directly contribute to simulating physical models and potentially revolutionize quantum chemistry.
The technological approach of BRISQ exploits trapped ions excited to electronically high-lying Rydberg states. Such Rydberg ions exhibit powerful and long-range interactions. The distinctive advantage of this platform is that it offers coherence times in the range of up to a minute together with fast entangling gate speeds on the order of 100ns. These two factors are key for achieving an unprecedented circuit depth and thus computational complexity.
Research on Rydberg-ion devices is currently conducted in two European research labs. Notably, one partner of the BRISQ consortium has achieved the first nanosecond-timescale entangling gate based on this approach, positioning them uniquely and giving Europe a decisive lead in advancing this new platform toward maturity.
To drive this effort, the BRISQ project brings together a research consortium comprising experimental, and theoretical academic research groups, as well as industrial partners. Their diverse expertise allows them to tackle the ambitious project from multiple angles, spanning industrial-grade hardware to user-driven quantum algorithms and compiler software. Ultimately, these advancements can directly contribute to simulating physical models and potentially revolutionize quantum chemistry.
In the initial phase of the BRISQ project, we have made significant progress towards creating and operating a prototype of a scalable quantum processor based on Rydberg ions. Here are the key highlights:
1. Cryogenic Systems: We’ve designed and are currently setting up specialized cryogenic systems for Rydberg-optimized ion traps. These systems serve multiple purposes: they reduce ion heating from nearby surfaces, minimize collisions with background gas by creating extreme vacuum conditions, and mitigate the detrimental effects of thermal radiation on Rydberg ions.
2. Industrial Fabrication: We’ve made excellent progress in fabricating Rydberg-optimized ion traps. Specifically, we are developing UV-compatible ion trap chips using sapphire substrates with single metal-layer electrodes. First chips based on this technology have been successful fabricated in an industrial environment. Additionally, we have developed a standardized the chip carrier design.
3. Rydberg Entangling Operations: Our work towards optimizing Rydberg entangling operations between trapped ions has been fruitful. We’ve explored various protocols for implementing fast, fault-tolerant entangling operations and multi-qubit operations at the nanosecond scale.
4. Boosting Computational Power: We have been investigating multi-qubit operations to enhance computational power for practical tasks. Furthermore, we’ve explored how incorporating bosonic modes into quantum simulations can provide an advantage and how to effectively realize this advantage.
5. Quantum Error Correction Toolbox: Our team has made significant strides in developing a quantum computing and quantum error correction (QEC) toolbox. Specifically, we’ve investigated methods for stabilizer readout using multi-ion Rydberg interactions for QEC codes. Additionally, we’ve worked on a compiler that translates quantum circuits into sequences of native Rydberg gates.
1. Cryogenic Systems: We’ve designed and are currently setting up specialized cryogenic systems for Rydberg-optimized ion traps. These systems serve multiple purposes: they reduce ion heating from nearby surfaces, minimize collisions with background gas by creating extreme vacuum conditions, and mitigate the detrimental effects of thermal radiation on Rydberg ions.
2. Industrial Fabrication: We’ve made excellent progress in fabricating Rydberg-optimized ion traps. Specifically, we are developing UV-compatible ion trap chips using sapphire substrates with single metal-layer electrodes. First chips based on this technology have been successful fabricated in an industrial environment. Additionally, we have developed a standardized the chip carrier design.
3. Rydberg Entangling Operations: Our work towards optimizing Rydberg entangling operations between trapped ions has been fruitful. We’ve explored various protocols for implementing fast, fault-tolerant entangling operations and multi-qubit operations at the nanosecond scale.
4. Boosting Computational Power: We have been investigating multi-qubit operations to enhance computational power for practical tasks. Furthermore, we’ve explored how incorporating bosonic modes into quantum simulations can provide an advantage and how to effectively realize this advantage.
5. Quantum Error Correction Toolbox: Our team has made significant strides in developing a quantum computing and quantum error correction (QEC) toolbox. Specifically, we’ve investigated methods for stabilizer readout using multi-ion Rydberg interactions for QEC codes. Additionally, we’ve worked on a compiler that translates quantum circuits into sequences of native Rydberg gates.
Not relevant at this stage of the project.