Quantum Science and Quantum Technologies Brussels, Berlayemont

7 March 2013

Quantum Processors Rainer Blatt

University of Innsbruck and Austrian Academy of Sciences Innsbruck

Quantum Processors

Advances in Computer Science and Technology

Quantum Information Processing

The European Position in the Quantum World

Vision and Challenges

Hints for Policy-Making

Rainer Blatt

Institute for Experimental Physics, Universität Innsbruck Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information

Austrian Academy of Sciences, Innsbruck

Moore’s law: every 18 months computer power doubles

faster = smaller

Pentium 4 (2002)

1 atom

ENIAC (1947)

from: Gordon E. Moore “No exponential is forever…“

Progress in technology …

Progress in technology …

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 year

1 atom per bit nu

mb

er

of ato

ms p

er

bit

~ 2017

How many atoms per bit?

1019

1015

1011

107

103

100

Pentium 4

R. W. Keyes, IBM J. R&D 32, 26 (1988)

22 nm transistor

faster = smaller

Pentium 4 (2002)

1 atom

ENIAC (1947)

Ion Trap Quantum Processor

… a European concept

ion trap chip 2008, microtrap Innsbruck ion trap since 2000

European quantum microprocessor

Quantum Processors

2-dimensional quantum processor, prototype with 4 x 4 ions Innsbruck 2012 Wordwide efforts

to build an ion trap quantum processor: USA: „trap foundries“ - SANDIA - GeorgiaTech Australia, Singapore: first efforts

European Position

Europe has still a leading role in

developing quantum processors (ion traps, optical lattices, superconducting qubits, solid state concepts, photonic qc etc.)

implementing quantum algorithms especially for quantum simulations

inventing new concepts for quantum information processors, applications of QIP

Worldwide efforts in QIP are biggest in

USA and Canada: emphasis on quantum processors, quantum devices, quantum communication

Australia: quantum processors, quantum devices

Asia (Japan, China, Singapore): quantum processors, quantum devices

European Highlights 2011 - 2012

Biggest entangled quantum register realized: 14 entangled ions

towards universal quantum computing

(IBK 2011)

Universal quantum simulations demonstrated: up to 200 gate operations

digital quantum simulations using a small quantum computer

(IBK 2011-2012)

First quantum simulation beyond classical computation

non-equilibrium many-body dynamics using an analog quantum simulator

(Munich 2012)

Vision and Challenges

Development of an all-purpose quantum processor that makes use of the laws of quantum mechanics for

► Quantum Computation and Quantum Simulation

► Quantum Metrology and Quantum Sensors

► Specific Quantum Devices (QRNG, etc.)

Within 5-10 years: Develop Quantum Simulators that tackle

problems beyond classical computation

Major challenges:

► Define best systems for application areas

► Scalability to larger devices

► Development of more quantum algorithms

► Implement quantum error correction

Hints for policy-making

Quantum Information Processing and Quantum Technologies need a pan-European research strategy to

encompass a steadily growing QIPC community

be multi-disciplinary: physics, computer science, materials science, engineering, mathematics, nano-technology on European scale

make use of the creation, the routine control and the practical use of

large scale entanglement and superpositions

build on FP initiatives, coordinate the support of national programs

ensure the leading role of European QIPC research world-wide

Quantum Technologies

are based on creating, handling and manipulation of

Entanglement and Superpositions

putting entanglement to work

Vision (after Einstein): „ Use the spooky action at a distance“

… to keep Europe at the forefront of quantum science and competitive for the future

!

Quantum Technologies