Qike quantum released a full series of teaching simulators for self-developed ion traps

In recent years, quantum computing is becoming one of the key scientific and technological fields of major countries in the world. The field of quantum computing is forming an all-round development pattern integrating scientific research, engineering research and development, application exploration and industrial ecology construction. China's 14th five year plan and the outline of long-term goals for 2035 emphasize the need to accelerate the layout of cutting-edge technologies such as quantum computing and quantum communication, and strengthen cross innovation of basic disciplines.

The development of quantum computing is inseparable from the support of high-level scientific research and technical personnel. At present, the global gap of quantum computing talents is continuously expanding, and it is urgent for colleges and universities to strengthen the cultivation of quantum computing talents. Although undergraduate and graduate courses related to quantum information have been offered in China, many of them focus on classroom theory teaching. How to let students combine theory with practice, turn their R & D achievements into strong teaching productivity and cultivate more quantum computing talents is the direction that Qike quantum has been exploring.

To this end, Qike quantum has independently developed a full series of ion trap teaching simulators, which are used to simulate the ion trap quantum computer and demonstrate some functions of the device. According to different application environments, three products of teaching version, popular science version and scientific research version are launched to meet the multi-level needs of quantum computer teaching in classroom, popular science exhibition hall, laboratory and other scenes. And through them to stimulate students' interest in learning, improve the communication ability of popular science, and improve the quality of teaching.

The ion trap quantum computer can carry out quantum calculation mainly by three parts: stable confinement of ions to prevent ions from contacting with other substances (including air), providing a suitable environment (including ultra-high vacuum and constant uniform magnetic field), and operating ions by laser.

Among them, stable bound ions are realized through Paul trap. This technology was proposed by Wolfgang Paul and others, and won the Nobel Prize in the 1980s. The main principle is to bind charged ions (which can be macro particles) to specific areas in space through the alternating electric field in space. The alternating electric field can form a structure similar to the rotating saddle surface. When the saddle shape and rotation speed are high enough, the bound ions can be stabilized (the structure is shown in the figure below).

There are many specific implementation methods, mainly including point well, linear well and surface well (as shown in the figure below).

Figure a shows the application mode of electric field, figure B, figure D and figure e show the structure of point well, figure C and figure f show the structure of linear well, and figure g and figure h show the structure of surface well.

(picture from Colin D. bruzewicz, et.al, trapped ion quantum computing: progress and challenges)

Paul trap can bind not only ions, but also charged macro particles. Ions cannot be observed by the naked eye. In order to visualize the process of quantum computing of ion trap quantum computer, Qike quantum focuses on developing the teaching simulator of ion trap quantum computer.

In addition to demonstrating the principle of binding ions in the ion trap, this series of simulators can also demonstrate the process of ion manipulation by the ion trap quantum computer through laser by illuminating each particle separately, and can demonstrate the visual quantum algorithm through software.

The classroom oriented teaching simulator can be used for teachers' teaching demonstration and students' hands-on experiments. The functions of this version of simulator include stably binding particles inside the well, controlling the spacing and left-right movement of particles, simulating the process of binding ions and controlling ions by ion trap quantum computer; And illuminating particles with 8 laser beams, illuminating one particle with each laser beam, simulating the process of aligning ions with laser in ion trap quantum computer, etc.

Compared with the teaching simulator, the popular science simulator for popular science exhibition halls and other places has added the functions of one key automatic particle filling and demonstration of quantum algorithm. This function enables advanced quantum computing technology to be presented in an intuitive and vivid form. While ensuring knowledge and authority, let popular science knowledge "move" and shorten the distance between people and quantum computing.

The teaching version simulator for researchers can help researchers get familiar with the structure of the device and the functions of each module (such as optical module, microblog module and magnetic field generation module). Through experiments, we have a more intuitive understanding of the preparation process of qubits and the coupling process between qubits and environment. So that researchers can manually carry out Rabi oscillation experiment and T2 decoherence experiment, and demonstrate quantum algorithms (such as Deutsch Jozsa algorithm).

Qike quantum has been focusing on the full stack development of ion trap quantum computer. In 2020, the research and development of distributed ion trap quantum computer was launched. The research and development of ion trap chip, precision laser system, quantum bit photoelectric measurement and control system, high-speed electronic timing and control system, quantum programming language, quantum cloud, quantum algorithm library, quantum application and other systems are also ongoing.

The research and development of ion trap teaching simulator is not only a part of the company's quantum computing research and development plan, but also an important part of Qike quantum layout quantum education ecology. It will be put on sale in July this year. Next, Qike quantum will cooperate with universities and R & D institutions to jointly help cultivate quantum computing talents in China.