An Evaluation Framework and Instruction Set Architecture for Ion-Trap Based Quantum Micro-Architectures

Abstract

The theoretical study of quantum computation has yielded efficient algorithms for some traditionally hard problems. Correspondingly, experimental work on the underlying physical implementation technology has progressed steadily. However, almost no work has yet been done which explores the architecture design space of large scale quantum computing systems. In this paper, we present a set of tools that enable the quantitative evaluation of architectures for quantum computers. The infrastructure we created comprises a complete compilation and simulation system for computers containing thousands of quantum bits. We begin by compiling complete algorithms into a quantum instruction set. This ISA enables the simple manipulation of quantum state. Another tool we developed automatically transforms quantum software into an equivalent, fault-tolerant version required to operate on real quantum devices. Next, our infrastructure transforms the ISA into a set of low-level micro architecture specific control operations. In the future, these operations can be used to directly control a quantum computer. For now, our simulation framework quickly uses them to determine the reliability of the application for the target micro architecture. Finally, we propose a simple, regular architecture for ion-trap based quantum computers. Using our software infrastructure , we evaluate the design trade offs of this micro architecture .

High-level Structures for Quantum Computing

“…For this reason other variants of quantum assembly language were introduced [138] for the purpose of specialized quantum computing architectures. In many cases, however, such functionality is not needed.…”

eQASM: An Executable Quantum Instruction Set Architecture

“…If the execution ag is '1', then the operation executes; otherwise, it is canceled. A selection signal is required for each micro-operation to select which execution ag to use, which can be generated by the microcode unit, or speci ed by an instruction eld [45]. Except for the default execution ag that should always be '1', which and how many execution ags there are, should be de ned during eQASM instantiation (see Section 4.2 for an example).…”

Faster manipulation of large quantum circuits using wire label reference diagrams

“…The data structures used by the design automation tools become increasingly important. Some tools express quantum circuits as gate lists [16], interaction graphs [17] or assembly languages similar to QASM [18]. Furthermore, many if not most of the underlying design automation methods rely on rewriting circuit structures (manipulating the circuit gates), as well as reordering (manipulating the position of qubits/wires).…”