Zurich Instruments launches a new generation of quantum measurement and control all-in-one
Recently, Zurich Instruments launched a new generation of 8.5 GHz quantum measurement and control integrated machine SHFQC. With 6 control channels and 1 read channel, it can measure and control qubit, qutrit and ququad. Operates up to 8.5 GHz with 1 GHz instantaneous bandwidth without mixer calibration. Low phase noise, low spurious, large output power range for fast and high fidelity gate operation. Real-time signal processing chain with matched filter and polymorphic discrimination. The feedback measurement and control can be completed in the instrument with a delay of 300 ns. Supporting control software LabOne®, LabOne QCCS and Python APIs.
Zurich Instruments 8.5 GHz quantum measurement and control integrated machine SHFQC
Introduction
The SHFQC quantum measurement and control integrated machine can control, read and quickly feedback 6 superconducting qubits at the same time. It integrates SHFQA quantum analyzer, SHFSG signal generator and other functions. SHFQC has 6 signal generator channels (for control) and one quantum analyzer channel (for reading), which can fully measure and control 6 qubits. Because SHFQC integrates the microwave signal generation module and trigger distribution unit, the ultra-fast feedback delay is less than 300 ns, and only 8 microwave wires are needed to connect it with the refrigerator to build a system. Thus, the experimental system can be fully software controlled and freely reconfigured to match the needs of the experiment.
Each channel of the SHFQC has an individual sequencer that can be programmed to control the phase and timing of the waveform. With its output frequencies ranging from DC to 8.5 GHz, a single channel can control or couple qubits and respond quickly to input signals from the read end or signals from other control channels. The read channel provides customer-customizable integration weights and read pulse memory cells, up to 8 in number. The SHFQC-16W upgrade option doubles the number to 16. This provides more freedom for read configuration, such as 6 qutrits can be controlled and read in real time.
SHFQC integrates a variety of advanced functions, such as real-time oscilloscope, fast frequency sweep, pulse-level sequencing, etc., to help users build systems faster, and tune and measure more efficiently.
SHFQC is part of Zurich Instruments' Quantum Computing Control System (QCCS) quantum computing measurement and control system. Therefore, it can be operated using LabOne QCCS software, which is very intuitive and convenient. This also means that the SHFQC can be used in conjunction with other equipment, such as the HDAWG arbitrary waveform generator, to generate optimal baseband control signals. SHFQC can also be integrated into larger systems to implement local or global feedback and quantum error correction protocols for more than 100 qubits.
Applications
Quantum Computing Applications
● Control qubits, support single-qubit gates and multi-qubit gates
● Frequency division multiplexing read
● Single-shot dispersion reading
● Fast Qubit and Resonator Spectroscopy and System Characterization
● Real-time, low-latency feedback, supporting fast operations and quantum error correction protocols in the whole domain
Supported qubit types
● Superconducting qubits
● Spin/superconducting cavity hybrid qubits
● qubits, qutrits, and ququads
Other apps
● Amplifier noise characterization
● Microwave system calibration
Highlights
1. High-fidelity qubit manipulation and reading
Operating frequency up to 8.5 GHz, SHFQC adopts double superheterodyne up-conversion technology instead of IQ mixing scheme to achieve spectral purity in the form of filtering rather than intervention, so it has a wider working frequency band and higher linearity. Microwave frequency synthesizers are designed for high fidelity qubit control and readout, with low phase noise and low jitter covering all output frequency ranges. As a result, the SHFQC can output a spurious-free and stable signal with an instantaneous bandwidth of up to 1 GHz, eliminating the need for mixer calibration and saving system maintenance time.
When multiple qubits are read simultaneously with a single read wire, even a weak spurious signal may interfere with the qubit read signal if the frequency of the spurious signal is just close to the qubit read frequency. SHFQC's superheterodyne technology enables greater flexibility in the frequency design of resonators for frequency-division multiplexing readout of qubits. In addition, linear amplification links can drive single or multiple qubit gates with small time gaps and no distortion. The frequency conversion technology integrated in the SHFQC can ensure that the measurement and control of qubits are performed with the highest fidelity and achieve the highest performance of the quantum processor.
2. Efficient workflow and resource management
The control and readout channels of the SHFQC support the generation of the most complex signal sequences with the least amount of waveforms. The user can define the required signal in the form of describing the waveform parameters, and program the SHFQC's signal generator in a way that saves the most waveform storage space. For systems with multiple qubits, where multiple SHFQCs are required, this approach ensures that complex tuning and calibration steps can be accomplished with minimal instrument communication time. For example, supporting loops and dynamic jumps can realize active qubit reset within 300 ns, and can also implement more complex quantum error correction algorithms. Real-time phase and frequency control capabilities enable Z-gate manipulation. Each channel has a storage space of 100k waveform points, the sequencer supports 16k instructions, and the sampling rate is 2 GSa/s. SHFQC supports customizable multi-channel AWG signals to achieve precise measurement and control of qubits.
3. Fast high-fidelity reading
SHFQC can use pulsed signals to characterize the amplitude and phase transfer characteristics of the device under test. Two methods can be used to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio: pulse shaping and matched filtering. Pulse shaping is based on an arbitrary read signal generator that minimizes rising and falling edge oscillations, even if the device itself is slow to respond.
The DUT's step response can be matched by the step response of SHFQC's digital filters, each programmable with a 4 kSa long (2 us long) integral weight function. Using appropriately matched filters can significantly improve SNR compared to simple unweighted integration. In addition, the real-time analysis link can identify up to 4 states for each qubit.
Zurich Instruments SHFQA Quantum Analyzer Analysis Process
4. Scalable system solution
The SHFQC is designed to handle 6 fixed frequency qubits/qutrits or 5 ququads. SHFQC can also be easily interconnected with other instruments if it is to better support other types of qubits or be integrated into large quantum systems. For example, the 32-bit wide DIO VHDCI interface has low latency, supports multi-qubit states to feed forward to several HDAWGs in parallel, and realizes fast qubit reset or real-time flux-pulse control.
For systems with a slightly larger number of qubits, several SHFQCs, SHFSGs, SHFQAs and HDAWGs can be combined to form a scalable Quantum Computing Control System (QCCS) quantum measurement and control system. In this case, the ZSync interface and PQSC programmable quantum system controller developed by Zurich Instruments are used to interconnect the SHFQC with other devices. LabOne QCCS control software optimizes inter-instrument communication and simplifies protocol execution.
PQSC can synchronize up to 18 instruments. This means that scheduling all SHFSG and SHFQA can measure and control up to 128 qubits. If only SHFQC is used, an ultra-fast feedback algorithm can also be used to measure and control up to 108 qubits. The PQSC of all devices in the synchronization system can be programmed and controlled via LabOne QCCS software or Python APIs. This allows users to decide how to integrate them into new or existing systems as needed.
Zurich Instruments QCCS Rack with SHFQC
5. Quantum system control software
As part of a quantum computing measurement and control system, SHFQC can be perfectly integrated into existing or new systems through LabOne QCCS software. As a self-contained device, the SHFQC can be efficiently controlled via LabOne or Python APIs. Zurich Instruments offers an extensive library of examples to help users integrate quickly into existing measurement software architectures. LabOne's data server supports powerful data structure and processing capabilities, and the software part written by users can be more concise and easy to maintain.
Zurich Instruments SHFQC Qubit Controller Functional Diagram
For specific parameters, you can visit the product homepage: https://www.zhinst.cn/china/cn/products/shfqc-qubit-controller#specifications
