New superconducting quantum-electric device concept utilizing increased anharmonicity, simple structure, and insensitivity to charge and flux noise

Introduction

Quantum technology is an exciting field where new scientific discoveries have great potential to be used in practical applications such as in quantum computing. Although quantum supremacy has been recently demonstrated in fully superconducting qubits, there is a major challenge in promoting these many-qubit processors feasible for technological applications and advanced science experiments: fidelity of all qubit operations well above 99.9% in a power-efficient control and readout architecture is required.

Project Overview

This project, ConceptQ, aims to demonstrate a new superconducting-qubit concept that has a surprisingly simple structure consisting only of standard materials and a single Josephson junction while providing insensitivity to charge and flux noise, and most importantly, large anharmonicity.

Key Innovations

We combine these properties with a new multimode enhancement idea to demonstrate record-breaking fidelities in:

1. Quantum-logic gates
2. Initialization
3. Readout

Importantly, we introduce cryogenic active components to implement all these three basic operations at millikelvin temperatures, thus paving the way for a power-efficient integrated quantum-classical control system.

Future Directions

Finally, we use the best new methods and designs for multi-qubit processors and demonstrate a new quantum algorithm at high fidelity. With these breakthroughs, we aim to supersede the transmon as the standard high-fidelity superconducting qubit, thus boosting quantum-technology research and methodology not only in computing but also in sensing and simulation.

Broader Impact

This potentially opens horizons for novel scientific discoveries in:

• Classical cryoelectronics
• Quantum calorimetry
• Open quantum systems
• Quantum thermodynamics

ConceptQ is a science project, but thanks to ongoing collaborations with the quantum industry, it holds great potential for the advancement of global well-being, e.g., through envisioned long-term applications in cyber security, quantum chemistry, and artificial intelligence.