Lab Tour: How IBM tests quantum processors

Summary

Join Jerry Chow, IBM Fellow and Director of Quantum Systems, on an exclusive tour of the IBM Quantum Characterization Lab. Discover how the Heron quantum chip is tested and qualified before being deployed in quantum data centers. From innovative signal delivery technologies to high-performance processors, Jerry takes us through the evolution of quantum computing, showcasing advancements like the Heron’s 133 qubits and the development of new wiring systems. With an in-depth look at the dilution refrigerator and testing processes, this tour highlights IBM's cutting-edge work in quantum systems.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jerry Chow, an IBM Fellow and Director of Quantum Systems, introduces the Heron quantum chip, IBM's most performant quantum processor.
• 😀 The Quantum Characterization Lab at IBM is highly secure, requiring badge access and a retina scan for entry.
• 😀 Heron is a utility-scale quantum processor with 133 or 156 qubits, offering improved performance through advanced error mitigation.
• 😀 Falcon, an older IBM quantum processor with 27 qubits, serves as a comparison to highlight the evolution of Heron's size and capabilities.
• 😀 The transition from Falcon to Heron also involved significant improvements in internal wiring, with higher density and flexibility in signal delivery.
• 😀 IBM's flexible signal delivery technology allows for higher-density wiring, reducing space requirements and costs for quantum system testing.
• 😀 The Heron processor is housed in a dilution refrigerator that is equipped with advanced components, such as quantum-limited amplifiers to improve readout performance.
• 😀 The dilution refrigerator operates at extremely low temperatures, with various temperature zones reaching as low as 15 milliKelvin for quantum device testing.
• 😀 Testing in the lab involves tuning and optimizing individual qubits and two-qubit gates, especially for the advanced couplers used in Heron.
• 😀 Once the testing is completed, the Heron processor is assessed for deployment in IBM's quantum data center, which clients and partners can access globally.

Q & A

What is the Heron quantum chip and what makes it special?

Heron is IBM Quantum's most performant quantum chip, boasting up to 156 qubits. It is designed for utility-scale quantum computing and has advanced features, such as tunable coupler architecture, which improves two-qubit gate quality. It can execute complex quantum circuits with error mitigation, demonstrated by running 5,000 gates.

Why is the Quantum Characterization Lab so secure?

The Quantum Characterization Lab is highly secure to protect sensitive quantum technology. Access is restricted, requiring a badge and retina scan for entry, with even most IBM employees unable to access it.

How has the design of quantum chips evolved over time?

The design of quantum chips has evolved significantly. For instance, Falcon was a 27-qubit processor, with a large package size and lower density. In contrast, Heron is a 133-qubit processor with a more complex and larger design, allowing for better performance and higher scalability.

What is the role of coaxial cables in the Quantum Characterization Lab?

Coaxial cables in the lab are used to deliver microwave signals that address or read out qubits. These cables can take up a lot of space, but recent advancements have led to more compact and high-density wiring, enabling more signals to be delivered at a lower cost and with greater efficiency.

What is the purpose of the dilution refrigerator in the lab?

The dilution refrigerator is used to cool down the quantum processor to extremely low temperatures, crucial for quantum computing experiments. It operates at temperatures as low as 15 milliKelvin to maintain the quantum state of the qubits during testing.

What is the significance of Flex technology in quantum testing?

Flex technology is a compact, high-density wiring solution developed in-house to replace older coaxial cables. It allows for more efficient signal delivery, enabling testing of larger quantum systems with reduced footprint and lower costs.

How does the Heron processor’s performance differ from previous devices?

Heron features optimized two-qubit gates using tunable couplers, allowing for improved performance. The testing process for Heron includes individual measurements of qubits, couplers, and gates, providing a detailed understanding of its performance capabilities.

What components are involved in the dilution refrigerator setup?

The dilution refrigerator setup includes flanges operating at different temperatures, with the bottom-most flange cooling to 15 milliKelvin. It also contains quantum-limited amplifiers that improve qubit readouts, and a magnetic shield to protect against radiation and magnetic fields.

How does IBM ensure that its quantum devices meet quality standards before deployment?

Before deployment, IBM tests quantum devices extensively in the lab, measuring qubit performance, coherence, flux coupler tuning, and gate optimization. This data helps decide whether a quantum processor is ready for deployment in client systems, such as those in the Poughkeepsie data center.

How does IBM Quantum support its clients after testing and deploying quantum processors?

Once quantum processors are deployed and tested, IBM provides access to them through their data center in Poughkeepsie. Clients and partners can access the quantum systems remotely, facilitating global collaboration and usage of cutting-edge quantum computing resources.