Summary:
UCLA researchers in the Physics and Astronomy Department have developed a quantum information processing method that encodes multiple qubits within single atoms in trapped atom quantum processors, enabling efficient qubit manipulation for enhanced computational capacity.
Background:
Quantum computing is an emerging technology with immense market significance. The global quantum computing market is projected to reach $4.375 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of over 38%. Quantum computers leverage quantum mechanics' unique properties to perform complex calculations much faster than classical computers. This has implications for cryptography, optimization, and AI, promising breakthroughs in fields such as simulating quantum systems, developing advanced materials, and optimizing supply chains. Quantum computing's potential to revolutionize industries and solve problems that are currently intractable positions it as a transformative force in the technological landscape. Researchers are exploring methods to enhance the capabilities of quantum computing systems. The exploration covers the two extremes of the spectrum: encoding all qubits within a single atom (unary encoding) and encoding one qubit per atom (monoqubit encoding). Unary encoding becomes resource-intensive as the problem size increases, while monoqubit encoding faces limitations due to the unreliable utilization of atoms. Hence, there is a potential advantage in encoding a modest number of qubits per atom, making it imperative to develop a practical technique to achieve this polyqubit encoding.
Innovation:
Professor Wesley Campbell and Professor Eric Hudson have developed a method called polyqubit processing within trapped atom quantum processors. This innovation successfully demonstrates a way to encode multiple qubits within a single atom and introduces techniques to perform operations and computations on these qubits without disturbing other qubits stored in the same atom. This achievement enables a higher level of information storage and manipulation within quantum systems. By utilizing the existing internal states of atomic processors, this polyqubit processing approach enables a more efficient utilization of resources and offers practical advantages due to the compatibility with standard binary quantum algorithms and qubit quantum error correction (QEC). Additionally, this method may potentially improve qubit fidelity, connectivity, and reduce shuttling needs.
Potential Applications:
• Quantum computers
• Cryptography
• Computational Chemistry
• Cybersecurity
• Machine learning
Advantages:
• Non-disruptive multi-qubit manipulation
• Selective qubit preparation and measurement
• Compatible with binary algorithm, including qubit QEC
• Utilizes available trapped ion controls
• Increase quantum computing power
• Good compatibility with current quantum algorithms without modifications
• Greater storage capacity
Development to Date:
First description of complete invention (oral or written): June 1st, 2022.
Reference:
UCLA Case No. 2023-006
Lead Inventor:
Dr. Wesley Campbell, and Dr. Eric Hudson.