The Zurich Instruments SWFQC Qubit Controller provides a complete room temperature qubit control system for up to 6 superconducting qubits in one instrument. SHFQC provides channels to drive high-fidelity single or two-qubit gates, single-shot multiplexed qubit readout, and fast response or error correction protocols.
Like other elements of the Zurich Instruments Quantum Computing Control System (QCCS), all channels of the SHFQC operate with great spectral accuracy and stability at microwave frequencies, so users do not have to rely on tedious mixer calibration.
Controlling SHFQC via Zurich Instruments Python API, LabOne and LabOne QCCS software gives access to an intuitive approach to demanding tasks such as automated system tuning or execution of complex algorithms, enabling system uptime and measurement speed-up .
SWFQC provides a complete qubit control configuration to control, read and perform rapid response at 6 superconducting qubits as a single device. The setup is completely software based and hence easy to reconfigure. When using multiple SHFQCs, the operating system can be expanded to support larger qubit numbers to add fast local response for global error correction.
Combined with its operating range of DC to 8.5 GHz and a linear amplification chain, each of the SWFQC’s 6 powerful control channels can drive any single or two qubit ports in a short amount of time and at the relevant qubit frequency.
The SWFQC’s readout channel includes signal generation and detection, and an advanced signal processing chain that can discriminate in real time between the states of different qubits, qutits, or ququads. Measurement results are quickly distributed to all control channels for rapid response and local error correction protocols.
Additional signal processing features such as real-time oscilloscopes, high-speed resonator spectroscopy and powerful sequencers across all channels to complement the capabilities of the SWFQC. Together, the characteristics of the instrument enable rapid startup of quantum devices, less system downtime, and significant acceleration of measurements.
As the maturity of available superconducting quantum processors increases, the number of different qubit control techniques can be expected to decrease. This could lead to a shift from individually designed control systems to carefully designed business solutions. So far, small systems with a handful of qubits have not benefited from application-specific, powerful and versatile solutions that are quick to set up and intuitive to operate. “SHFQC extends the reach of our next generation QCCS to smaller setups.
Now researchers can take advantage of integrated, mixer-calibration-free frequency conversion and even more application-specific, high-performance functionality, said Dr Tobias Thiel, Application Scientist for Quantum Technologies at Zurich Instruments. “Nevertheless, the potential to scale to larger system sizes remains,” says Dr. Thiele, “because multiple SWFQCs can be combined with other elements of QCCS to support larger setups.”
Software support and system integration
Lower latency and increased flexibility by processing qubit information within a single device may be the key to the success of local feedback operations, such as faster actives or additional resets. As part of QCCS, SWFQC can also be integrated into new or existing setups including 18 other devices such as HDAWG Arbitary Waveform Generator, SHFSG Signal Generator and PQSC Programmable Quantum System Controller.
100 qubits and onwards. LabOne software, the new LabOne QCCS software and the LabOne Python API, help users use any combination of QCCS devices as a system that is precisely synchronized and controlled by a single software interface. This makes tasks such as tuning experiments, automatic calibration and running complex algorithms simple and intuitive.
To read more about the new Zurich Instruments SWFQC Qubit controller, including a full list of specifications, visit www.zhinst.com and the SWFQC Instruments page.
About Zurich Instruments
Zurich Instruments builds advanced instruments in state-of-the-art laboratories for scientists and technologists who are passionate about phenomena that are often difficult to measure. The company’s core offerings include lock-in amplifiers, impedance analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators and the industry’s first commercially available quantum computer operating system.
Zurich Instruments brings innovation to scientific instrumentation and quantum control systems in the Medium Frequency (MF), Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and now Super High Frequency (SHF) range by combining frequency and time domain tools within each of its products.