QUANTUM ANNEALING DEVICE
Finding a set of parameters for optimization problems does not require a fault-tolerant quantum computer. For example, mathematical modeling for business, finance, and economic; delivery orders and routes; real-time air-traffic flight plan; manufacturing system; education management during COVID-19 pandemic; energy intelligence; and national defense and security etc., optimization lies at the heart of all mentioned problems. To reduce the overhead of building a computing device capable in exploiting quantum properties, a quantum annealing device intentionally designed to tackle optimization problems should be prioritized over the other technologies.
Quantum Tech: Quantum annealing leverages quantum mechanics to find the true minimum energy for optimization problems and good low energies for probabilistic sampling problems through an adiabatic process. Based on the superconducting qubits and semiconductor manufacturing technology, a viable quantum annealing system capable of providing computing service via cloud comprises 1) processor designs, 2) integrated circuit fabrication and wire bonding, 3) cryogenic design and RF components, 4) validating systems / systematic error identifications, 5) hardware, gateware, and firmware, 6) MW-RF controls and readouts, 7) quantum circuits and software, 8) algorithms, software library, user interface, and access, and 9) system engineer.
The annealing process at the quantum processor unit starts with an equal double well the bottoms of which represent the energies of up and down states. Rising biased magnetic field mimics slowly heating up a crystal that affects circulating current in the Josephson superconducting loop (the qubit) and hence alters the depths of both wells. The probability of being found in either state at the time of measurement changes with more tendency towards the deeper well that represents the minimal energy.
Direct Societal Impact: Mathematical modeling for business, finance, and economic; delivery orders and routes; real-time air-traffic flight plan; manufacturing system; education management during COVID-19 pandemic; energy intelligence; and national defense and security etc.
Collateral Advantages: The manufacturing process, designs and MW controls conduces to building a small-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer.
Alternative Quantum Technology: Infancy noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) device, fault-tolerant quantum computer.
Aided System: 5G network, cloud service.
