Development of Integration Technologies for Superconducting Quantum Circuits

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ABOUT

Moonshot Goal 6

Realization of a fault-tolerant universal quantum computer that will revolutionize economy, industry, and security by 2050.

In this project, we aim to develop designing and manufacturing technologies of devices and equipment, which are necessary to realize the goal of the Moonshot program #6: realize a fault-tolerant universal quantum computer by 2050 that can solve problems which conventional computers cannot solve on a realistic timescale.

More specifically, in order to fully utilize a quantum bit (qubit) consisting of a superconducting circuit, we are going to establish technique of connecting qubit chips located at extremely low temperature and electronics equipment controlling them, improve quality of the qubit chip itself, and develop novel superconducting qubit chips which can be more easily handled.

What is a quantum computer?: In conventional computers, information is expressed as multiple bits, each of which stores 0 or 1 (classical bit). Then calculation is performed by logic gate operation on these classical bits. In quantum computers on the other hand, by using a so-called quantum superposition of 0 and 1 states (qubit), quantum logic gate operations on these qubits has effectively the same effect as if the parallel classical computation were performed simultaneously. So, the quantum computer can solve a kind of problems that conventional computers cannot solve on a realistic timescale. The quantum computer is considered to be suitable for dealing with complex and large-scale problems, such as actual natural and social phenomena.

Application of a quantum computer: For example, realizing phenomena occurred in nature or inside living organism by using heat or electricity requires a tremendous amount of energy. A quantum computer can be useful for understanding the mechanism of photosynthesis or developing innovative materials which can serve to reduce energy consumption, which eventually leads to realize an energy-saving sustainable society.

What is a superconducting qubit?: By lowering temperature of a specific metal or compound below a threshold called critical temperature, electrical resistance suddenly vanishes. This phenomenon is called superconductivity. A closed loop consisting of superconductor can maintain a current flow persistently thanks to its zero resistivity. By taking advantage of this phenomenon, a qubit chip can be made of a superconductor, where energy or information can be controlled by applying a magnetic/electric field.

MESSAGE

Recently, there have been world-wide intense research activities to develop superconducting quantum computer.

Towards the realization of practical fault-tolerant quantum computer beyond the NISQ machine, we still need lots of breakthroughs for the integration of the superconducting circuit.

The required technologies are related not only to the qubit device itself,but also to its peripherals such as control electronics, packaging, and refrigerator.

In this project, through the collaboration among groups with different expertises, those technologies are developed and optimized for the total system of future quantum computer.

Tsuyoshi Yamamoto

Project Manager

Secure System Platform Research Laboratories, NEC Corporation
Research Fellow

ORGANIZATION