Quantum Computing: Understanding and Addressing Challenges in Superconducting Qubit Scale

(23:32 + Q&A) Jennifer Smith, UC-Santa Barbara -- Presentation from 2023 Workshop on Quantum Computing: Devices, Cryogenic Electronics and Packaging (QC-DCEP) ... 
Summary: Superconducting qubits are a foundational technology for several major industry groups working to build a useful quantum computer including Google Quantum AI, IBM Quantum, and AWS Quantum. These teams have made early advances with superconducting qubits, including the first demonstration of scalable quantum error correction [1] and preliminary evidence for quantum computer utility despite present noise [2]; however, these demo systems must grow 1000x or more to achieve the numbers of logical qubits necessary for meaningful computation. In this talk, I discuss some of the fundamental constraints on system scale arising from the interplay of cryogenics, RF-based control, and superconducting device design and packaging. I will provide a case study on high-density wiring in a cryogenic environment. Lastly, I will discuss advanced multiplexing schemes in control electronics that increase system scale and provide directions for future research.
Jenny Smith has a B.S. in physics from Harvey Mudd College and is currently pursuing a PhD in physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara under Professor Ben Mazin. Her research is focused on improving the system scale and readout signal integrity of thousands of multiplexed superconducting microwave resonators for astronomical imaging. During her PhD, she developed a cryogenic wiring solution that is currently under commercial development by Maybell Quantum Industries. She is also developing a high-throughput control electronics system using the Xilinx RFSoC platform. Outside of academia, she has spent time in industry interning for Xilinx where she worked on open-source high-speed offload designs on the RFSoC platform. She also interned for Google Quantum AI where she worked on superconducting qubit control electronics and wiring. After her PhD, Jenny hopes to pursue a hybrid industry/academic career where she can continue research and development on open-source technologies that enable increasingly performant superconducting array systems.

Additional videos from the QC-DCEP Workhop can be accessed at https://attend.ieee.org/qc-dcep.