Quantum Inspire - A full stack quantum computer prototype

Quantum computing (QC) holds the promise to tackle big problems in energy, health and security and could change our daily lives. The mission of QuTech's Shared Development roadmap is to bring quantum technology to industry... [ view full abstract ]

Quantum computing (QC) holds the promise to tackle big problems in energy, health and security and could change our daily lives. The mission of QuTech's Shared Development roadmap is to bring quantum technology to industry and society by translating fundamental scientific research into applied research. To this end we have been developing a full stack quantum computer prototype that will offer public access to Qutech's technologies such as (i) a programmable Si spin qubit-based quantum processor, (ii) QX, a multi-processor multi-threaded, vector state based quantum simulator that can simulate up to 37 qubits on a 4 TB supercomputer and (iii) tutorials and links to MOOCs on quantum information processing for educational purposes.

The system front-end will be generic and provides qubit-technology independent interfaces such as a GUI, API and SDK for programming the QX simulator or any hardware backend using either cQASM or higher level programming. The front-end will contain tutorials and example algorithms and user management functionality for handling and displaying results.

The back-end contains functionalities like automated tuning and calibration of qubits, scheduling of jobs and pre-defined pulse libraries for various back-end technologies and quantum compilers, such as openQL to generate the micro-instructions for the coherent execution of algorithms. Timing and execution control of the coherent micro-instructions is done with an in-house developed central controller that synchronizes the operation of the RF hardware for qubit control. This system is agnostic of frequency ranges, pulse and envelope definitions that are qubit technology specific. This is handled by the qubit-specific control hardware at the bottom of our stack.

Our full stack QC prototype will be rolled out in several phases. In the first phase, scheduled for September 2018, access to the QX simulator will be offered through a web-interface and SDK. After integration of the control hardware and quantum chip access to a programmable few-qubit Si spin quantum processor will be made public. Our ambition is to have this system up and running by the end of 2018.  We will present our full stack implementation and a preview of our roadmap for the release of other backends based on different technologies and the inclusion of cryogenic hardware for qubit control.