• Researchers devised a new method for systematically selecting a quantum computer’s ideal quantum operation sequence.
• According to the researchers, the new approach will benefit medium-scale quantum computers.
• The new approach should help boost quantum computer performance while also lowering environmental effects in the near future.

A group of researchers from the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Keio University, Tokyo University of Science, and The University of Tokyo has devised a method to determine a quantum computer’s ideal quantum operation sequence. This is the first successful new approach. The findings were reported in the journal Physical Review A.

Developing the method for quantum computers

Quantum computers carry out tasks by depending on specialists to write a series of quantum operations, which have previously necessitated computer operators developing theirs based on current methods. The team devised a systematic way to identify the theoretically ideal sequence from all feasible quantum operation sequences using optimal control theory (GRAPE algorithm).

According to the researchers, the new approach will be beneficial for medium-scale quantum computers. At the same time, the team claims that it will assist boost quantum computer performance while also lowering environmental effects in the near future.

Quantum computers have the ability to tackle a wide range of complicated issues, such as lowering the environmental load by reducing energy consumption and identifying novel chemical molecules for medical applications.

Difficulties of quantum computing

However, one of the primary issues with quantum computing is that the quantum state is very susceptible to noise, making it difficult to maintain stability over time. The operations must be completed within the time necessary to maintain the coherent quantum state, which necessitates a method for systematically discovering the best sequences.

A quantum operation sequence is a human-readable computer program that has been translated to be processed by a quantum computer. The quantum operation sequence includes 1-qubit and 2-qubit operations, however, the optimum sequence uses the fewest operations while providing the highest performance.

The newly created method utilizes the GRAPE algorithm, a numerical optimum control theory algorithm, to assess all potential sequences of elementary quantum processes. The team compiles a list of quantum operation sequences and their respective performance indices, ranging from hundreds to millions. The best quantum operation sequence may be found methodically based on the gathered data.

The approach developed by the researchers can also assess the whole list of all quantum operation sequences and evaluate traditional methods, allowing it to assist build standards for previous and future studies.

Quantum computing turns into accessible services with the cloud-based quantum computers

The researchers also revealed numerous great optimum sequences of quantum operations, implying that a probabilistic approach might broaden the innovative method’s application to bigger projects. More predictive power may be increased by including machine learning in the process.