Qudoor Quantum releases China's first ion trap quantum computing engineering machine

Recently China's first modular ion trap quantum computing engineering machine was released, which was developed by Qudoor Quantum and has passed the evaluation of well-known experts in the fields of quantum information, atomic physics and optoelectronics in China, and its comprehensive engineering level has entered the international advanced ranks. The release of the engineering machine marks a key step from key technology breakthrough, laboratory research and development, principle prototype development to product engineering for China's atomic-type quantum computers.

Figure 1: The appearance of the ion trap quantum computing engineering machine

Quantum computing engineering machine refers to the discrete systems through the overall design and integration of development, to complete the quantum computer system modularity, easy to operate, to achieve quantum computer out of the physics laboratory, and can be independently by the quantum program developers to complete the control of quantum computing equipment. The engineering machine 1.0 ("Sky Computing 1") released by Qudoor Quantum is composed of four subsystems: working environment control, ion trap, optics, and electronic measurement and control, and each system is composed of several modules. Each module is interconnected with the whole system on the whole machine by means of a plug-in box, which greatly enhances the flexibility of module replacement. The R&D team also optimizes the space layout of each module to make the whole machine more compact. In terms of operation, the engineering machine adopts the human-machine interface design to intelligently control each system, which greatly reduces the operational complexity of the quantum computer and simplifies experimental operations that could only be done in professional atomic physics laboratories in the past, broadening the scope of application of the ion trap quantum computer.

Figure 2: The integrated measurement and control interface of the TMC1

Quantum computers can be divided into special-purpose quantum computers and general-purpose quantum computers according to their functions. Special-purpose quantum computers are used to solve specific problems (e.g. optimization problems), while general-purpose quantum computers support the writing of algorithmic programs based on general logic gates and have a wider range of applications. Currently, the only two types of quantum computers capable of general-purpose quantum computing are ion traps and superconductors. The superconducting engineering machine is less difficult and has been released by many institutions at home and abroad; while the ion trap technology route is complex, the development of engineering machine has been the focus and difficulty in this field, and the key technology of engineering has been monopolized by several foreign ion trap companies.

In recent years, through independent research and development, Q-Tech Quantum has released a series of ion trap engineering products, including , , etc., laying a good foundation for the engineering of the whole machine. This time, the first ion trap quantum engineering machine in China, Tianquan 1, is a milestone on the road of quantum computing engineering by Qudoor Quantum. According to the type of quantum bits, ion trap quantum bits can be divided into natural quantum bits and artificial quantum bits, with natural quantum bits having the advantage of full homogeneity. The Yb(ytterbium) 171-ion natural quantum bit used in Skycomputing 1 is a heavy rare earth metal unique to China, which is of great significance to the independent control of the whole industrial chain of ion trap quantum computers.

The current international strategic science and technology competition is becoming increasingly fierce, quantum computing has become the key to the scientific and technological games of major powers. 2022 October 16, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report of the 20th Party Congress, quantum information and other emerging industries to develop and grow, achieve significant results, and enter the ranks of innovative countries. As the first ion trap quantum computing company in Asia, the release of Sky Computing 1 contributes to China's efforts to seize the high ground of international competition in quantum technology and promote independent innovation in quantum technology.

The successful release of Skycomputing 1 will become a "booster" for the future development of quantum computing industry. By building a whole industry chain ecology with ion trap quantum computer as the core, QIC is expected to inject "classical-quantum" heterogeneous computing power in supply chain, finance, pharmaceutical, chemical, transportation, automobile, logistics, aviation, energy, meteorology and other fields, and is committed to solving important complex problems such as biological structure simulation, logistics efficiency calculation, finding targeted drugs, etc. We are committed to solving important and complex problems such as biological structure simulation, logistics efficiency calculation, and finding target drugs.

Looking into the future, QIC Quantum said that the engineering of quantum computers has just begun, although the industry has the ability to prepare tens to hundreds of physical bits, but it is the logical bits that are decisive for the practicalization of quantum computing. At present, the number of logic bits of quantum computers at home and abroad is still hovering around 10, which requires continuous technical breakthroughs. On the basis of the Sky Computing 1, Q-Tech will focus on the development of distributed technology based on "ion-photon" entanglement to realize distributed operations with hundreds of logical bits, and continue to make new breakthroughs through perseverance.