Error-correcting codes for adiabatic quantum computation

There are many difficult problems in diverse areas such as bioinformatics, transportation or finance, which are very hard to solve on a classical computer. A new type of computer was conceived, called a quantum computer, which operates on the laws of quantum physics, as opposed to the laws of classical mechanics. Such a quantum computer has not yet been engineered at a large scale; however there are currently several competing models. Of these, the D-Wave machine is the most advanced prototype under development, and several machines have been sold to academic and industrial customers. The greatest obstacle to engineering quantum computers is quantum noise – interaction with the environment which causes the computer to essentially act as a classical computer (or distorts results entirely). The solution to this problem is quantum error correction. Many quantum error correction schemes (quantum codes) exist, however the D-Wave device is only compatible with some of them. We will develop new quantum codes for the D-Wave device in order to lessen the gap between what is practically and theoretically possible of quantum computers.

Faculty Supervisor:

Petr Lisonek

Student:

Partner:

D-Wave Systems Inc.

Discipline:

Mathematics

Sector:

Information and Communications Technology; Advanced Manufacturing

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program: