Method, system, computer program and computer-readable storage medium for regulating and controlling at least one resource of a quantum computer system

Abstract

A method for regulating and controlling at least one resource of a quantum computer system comprising hardware devices, one of which is an ion trap (2), is provided. - Provision of at least one request for an operation of at least one of the hardware devices of a kernel layer by an application layer, - Transmission of at least one request to the kernel layer via at least one system call, - Collecting at least one system call by a scheduler, - Rules and controls the at least one resource of the at least one hardware device for operation by the scheduler, so that a process is carried out on and / or from the ion trap (2). Furthermore, a system (1), a computer program and a computer-readable storage medium are provided.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method, a system, a computer program and a computer-readable storage medium for regulating and controlling at least one resource of a quantum computer system.

[0002] Y. Ding’s dissertation “ARCHITECTING QUANTUM COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN THE PRESENCE OF NOISE”, University of Chicago, 2021, describes various software architectures of quantum computers.

[0003] The paper T. Metodi, et al., “Scheduling physical operations in a quantum information processor”, Proceedings of SPIE (2006) - The International Society for Optical Engineering, describes a scheduler for a corresponding quantum circuit.

[0004] The paper by L. Riesebos et al., "Universal Graph-Based Scheduling for Quantum Systems," in IEEE Micro, vol. 41, no. 5, pp. 57-65, 1 Sept.-Oct. 2021, describes a graph-based scheduling approach for quantum systems.

[0005] One task to be solved is to provide a method that can automate processes within a quantum computer system with trapped ions, regardless of the architecture of the ion trap used. Furthermore, a system, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium for regulating and controlling at least one resource of a quantum computer system are to be provided.

[0006] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments, implementations, and further developments are the subject matter of the respective dependent claims.

[0007] The method for regulating and controlling at least one resource of a quantum computer system is described. The quantum computer system comprises hardware devices, and one of the hardware devices is an ion trap. In particular, the hardware devices are configured to operate the ion trap and perform a quantum computation with the ion trap. For example, the hardware devices are used to confine at least two ions in the ion trap and / or to change an electronic state of the at least two ions, in particular to perform a quantum computation with the at least two ions.

[0008] The ion trap can, in particular, be a Paul trap, a linear ion trap, a surface ion trap, and / or a multilayer ion trap. The ion trap comprises, for example, a set of electrodes. A high-frequency voltage, for example, is applied to the electrodes, thereby creating a time-varying electric field designed to confine and / or modify two trapped ions.

[0009] For example, a magnetic gradient is provided to the at least two trapped ions. For example, the magnetic gradient is provided by a permanent magnet arrangement. This means that the at least two trapped ions can be individually addressed by the magnetic gradient.

[0010] For example, the method is performed within the framework of an operating system. The at least one resource may be a system resource. The system resources include, for example, all physical devices, such as the hardware devices, and / or all virtual components, such as the software applications, of the quantum computer system.

[0011] At least one request for an operation of at least one of the hardware devices of a kernel layer is provided by an application layer. For example, the operating system includes the application layer and the kernel layer.

[0012] For example, the application layer is designed to execute software applications. This means that the application layer consists, for example, of a multitude of software applications with which a user can interact. At least some of the software applications may have a graphical user interface (GUI). In particular, at least one request is provided via the GUI.

[0013] The kernel layer is configured, for example, to control and manage the at least one resource and / or to provide services to the application layer. For example, the kernel layer is configured to manage at least one of the following elements: memory control, process control, I / O control, and device driver control. In particular, the operation contained in the request can be performed via the kernel layer.

[0014] The hardware devices are arranged within a hardware layer that is contained in the kernel layer.

[0015] The at least one request is transmitted to the kernel layer via at least one system call. For example, an interface between the kernel layer and the application layer comprises the at least one system call, in particular a plurality of system calls. The system call is configured to provide communication between the application layer and the kernel layer and vice versa. The system call is configured for communication independent of the hardware devices or the software applications.

[0016] The system call, for example, is an application programming interface. This means that the system calls can be advantageously adapted to the needs of the quantum computer system.

[0017] The at least one system call is collected by a scheduler. The scheduler is configured to determine an order and / or a time of the operation to be executed by the at least one hardware device.

[0018] The application layer, for example, provides a plurality of requests, each of which is characteristic of an operation of at least one of the hardware devices. The request may be characteristic of a plurality of operations of more than one of the hardware devices. The scheduler determines, for example, a sequence and / or a time of the operations. The scheduler comprises a plurality of subsystems, each of the subsystems configured to process the request depending on corresponding information. In particular, each of the subsystems is configured to schedule the operations depending on the corresponding information.

[0019] The at least one resource of the at least one hardware device is regulated and controlled by the operation scheduler such that a process is performed by and / or on the ion trap.

[0020] This means that the scheduler regulates and controls the at least one resource depending on the determined sequence and / or the determined time of the operation, in particular the operations. The scheduler regulates and controls the operations, in particular, depending on the information characteristic of at least one of the following features: real-time control, resource management, task scheduling, time constraints, prioritization and / or preemption, synchronization, and / or event handling.

[0021] For example, the method described here is performed in the specified order. The method described here is, for example, a computer-implemented method.

[0022] One idea of ​​the method described here is, among other things, to use a method in which the application layer comprises a collection of computer programs of the application layer, and the kernel layer regulates, i.e., automates and allocates, the system resources of an ion trap quantum computer. This has the advantage that the proposed method achieves an automated interface between the user, characteristic of the application layer, and the hardware layer, characteristic of the kernel layer.

[0023] According to at least one embodiment of the method, after the at least one hardware resource has been regulated and controlled, at least one response from the at least one hardware device is received by the scheduler. For example, the operation is performed by the at least one hardware device depending on the scheduler. During the operations and / or after the operation, measured values ​​of the respective hardware device can be recorded. The measured values ​​are included, for example, in the response.

[0024] According to at least one embodiment of the method, after the at least one hardware resource has been regulated and controlled, the regulation and control are adapted depending on the at least one response. In particular, the regulation and control of the at least one hardware device are adapted depending on the acquired measured values.

[0025] For example, it is possible for the scheduler to receive more than one response from different hardware devices.

[0026] This advantageously implements a feedback loop based on the response to the operations. In particular, in response to the adjusted control and regulation, one or more further responses can be received from the scheduler until a predetermined threshold is reached. This advantageously ensures that the operations are performed correctly.

[0027] In particular, the scheduler is configured to determine at least one error correction instruction based on the response, e.g., using quantum error correction and / or error mitigation. The comparison depends, in particular, on the error correction instruction.

[0028] According to at least one embodiment of the method, at least one result of the at least one hardware device is transmitted by the scheduler to the application layer. In particular, the result is provided to at least one software application. The at least one result can be evaluated and / or displayed via the GUI of the at least one software application.

[0029] For example, the at least one result is transmitted from the kernel layer to the application layer via at least one further system call.

[0030] In particular, the result is characteristic of a quantum computation of the quantum computer system.

[0031] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the regulation and control of the hardware resources of the at least one hardware device further comprises a determination of a priority of the at least one system call by the scheduler.

[0032] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the regulation and control of the hardware resource of the at least one hardware device further comprises the regulation and control of the at least one hardware resource of the at least one hardware device based on the priority.

[0033] The application layer comprises at least one compiler configured to translate input data into machine-readable data configured to be executed by the at least one hardware device. In particular, the user provides the input data to the GUI of the software application in the application layer. The input data is, for example, characteristic of a programming language, in particular software code, and / or of an instruction for operating the hardware device. The input data is, for example, converted into machine-readable data by the compiler. This machine-readable data is made available to the kernel layer and the corresponding hardware device via the system call and the scheduler.

[0034] In particular, the input data is characteristic of the query.

[0035] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the application layer comprises at least one calibration routine.

[0036] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the application layer comprises at least one optimization routine.

[0037] The advantage is that these routines allow the ion trap to be operated with particular precision.

[0038] The application layer includes at least one hardware-agnostic compiler that is ion trap-agnostic. A hardware-agnostic compiler is characterized by a compiler that generates machine-readable data that can run on multiple hardware devices without requiring modifications or optimizations specific to the specific hardware device. This means, for example, that a hardware-agnostic compiler generates machine-readable data that is independent of the hardware device.

[0039] This has the advantage of allowing the operation of multiple hardware devices with little or no changes.

[0040] The application layer includes at least one hardware-specific compiler. A hardware-specific compiler is a compiler that generates machine-readable data that is executable on a specific hardware device and cannot be efficiently executed on other hardware devices.

[0041] By using hardware-agnostic compilers and hardware-specific compilers, the quantum computer system can be operated advantageously efficiently.

[0042] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the application layer and the kernel layer are configured to compile, automate, and calibrate the request such that a process is performed by and / or on the ion trap in real time.

[0043] In particular, the operation occurs in real time, meaning that the request from an application layer and / or the response from the kernel layer are each characteristic of a signal present within a given time and are processed accordingly. The proposed method ensures observation of each of the signals.

[0044] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the hardware devices comprise at least one of a laser, a wave measuring device, an acousto-optic modulator, an electro-optic modulator, a detector, a signal generator, an amplifier, a power supply, a piezo controller, and a motor.

[0045] According to at least one embodiment of the method, the ion trap is a processing unit of the quantum computer system.

[0046] Furthermore, a system for regulating and controlling at least one resource of a quantum computer system is described. The system is configured to perform the method described here. Therefore, all features and embodiments disclosed in connection with the method are also disclosed in connection with the system, and vice versa.

[0047] According to at least one embodiment, the system comprises an application layer and a kernel layer. The application layer and the kernel layer communicate with each other via system calls from the application layer to the kernel layer and with further system calls from the kernel layer to the application layer.

[0048] According to at least one embodiment, the system comprises a scheduler. The scheduler is configured to collect all system calls and the additional system calls.

[0049] This has the advantage that the scheduler is a modular unit that can operate in the application layer and / or the kernel layer.

[0050] Furthermore, a computer program is provided which contains instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, cause the computer program to carry out the method described here.

[0051] Furthermore, a computer-readable storage medium is specified on which the computer program described here is stored.

[0052] In the following, the method and the system are explained in more detail with reference to embodiments and the associated figures. Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of the method according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a system configured to perform the method according to an embodiment.

[0053] Elements that are identical or similar, or have the same effect, are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. The figures and the proportions of the elements depicted in the figures are not to be considered to scale. Rather, individual elements may be exaggerated for clarity and / or clarity.

[0054] The process stage S1 according to the embodiment of the Fig. 1 comprises providing at least one request for an operation of at least one hardware device of a kernel layer through an application layer. For example, the application layer comprises at least one software application with a graphical user interface (GUI). Software code and / or instructions for operating the hardware device can be provided to the GUI, which is particularly characteristic of the request.

[0055] The application layer comprises at least one compiler configured to translate the input data into machine-readable data configured to be executed by the hardware device.

[0056] The request is then transmitted to the kernel layer in process stage S2 by at least one system call.

[0057] In process stage S3, the system call is collected by a scheduler. The scheduler can be an API. Furthermore, the scheduler comprises a number of subsystems. Each of the subsystems can process the request depending on the corresponding information.

[0058] Each piece of information is characteristic of a scheduler thread. For example, each thread is characteristic of an operation that the scheduler is to schedule. In particular, the threads can be processed independently of one another.

[0059] The scheduler includes, among other things, a signal processing and control thread, a server thread, a monitoring thread, a calibration thread, and / or a data analysis thread. At least some of the threads are connected to a queue and / or a database.

[0060] In method step S4, the scheduler regulates and controls at least one resource of the hardware device such that a process is executed by and / or on an ion trap 2. The threads interact with each other in the scheduler and process the request such that the operation is performed by the hardware device such that the process is performed by and / or on an ion trap 2. The process is, for example, characteristic of confining and / or manipulating at least one ion within the ion trap 2.

[0061] The scheduler regulates and controls a variety of resources of a variety of hardware devices, depending on the request, to perform the process. The scheduler automatically regulates and controls the resources of at least two of a laser, a wave measuring device, an acousto-optic modulator, an electro-optic modulator, a detector, a signal generator, an amplifier, a power supply, a piezo controller, and a motor. Specifically, these at least two hardware devices are required to perform the process.

[0062] The system 1 according to the embodiment of Fig. 2 has an application layer, a kernel layer and a scheduler, which are comprised of a quantum computer system.

[0063] System 1 comprises hardware devices and computer programs. The computer programs, which are software applications, especially those with a GUI, are part of the application layer. Other computer programs and the hardware devices are part of the kernel layer.

[0064] The quantum computer system comprises an ion trap 2 as the processing unit of the quantum computer system, which is located in a chamber 3. The ion trap 2 is connected to external components of the quantum computer system via the chamber 3 through a plurality of connections 4. The connections 4 connect the ion trap 2, for example, to electronic devices 5 and a classical computer 6.

[0065] The electronic devices 5 include, for example, a laser, a wave measuring device, an acousto-optic modulator, an electro-optic modulator, a detector, a signal generator, an amplifier, a power supply, a piezo controller, a motor, analog-to-digital converters, signal generators such as high-frequency generators, microwave signal generators, low-frequency signal generators, and / or DC signal generators. The electronic devices 5 can also be partially arranged within the chamber 3.

[0066] The chamber 3 may be an ultra-high vacuum chamber, an ultra-high vacuum chamber and / or a cryostat.

[0067] For example, the classical computer 6 is configured to provide and receive input data. For example, the application layer and part of the kernel layer are part of the classical computer 6.

[0068] In particular, the electronic devices 5, the classical computer 6, and the chamber 3 are part of the hardware devices. This means that the method described above provides an operating system for the operation of the quantum computer system.

[0069] By way of example, the ion trap 2 is provided with a permanent magnet arrangement which is designed to generate a magnetic gradient for the trapped ions of the ion trap 2.

Claims

[1] Method for regulating and controlling at least one resource of a quantum computer system comprising hardware devices, one of the hardware devices being an ion trap (2), - Providing at least one request for an operation of at least one of the hardware devices of a kernel layer by an application layer, the application layer comprising at least one hardware-agnostic compiler that is ion trap (2)-agnostic, and the application layer comprising at least one hardware-specific compiler, wherein the compilers are each configured to translate input data characteristic of the request into machine-readable data, wherein the operation contained in the request is performed via the kernel layer, and wherein the hardware devices are arranged within a hardware layer contained in the kernel layer, - transmitting the at least one request, which is characteristic of the machine-readable data, to the kernel layer by at least one system call, wherein the system call is designed to provide communication between the application layer and the kernel layer and vice versa, and wherein the system call is designed for communication independently of the hardware devices, - collecting the at least one system call by a scheduler, wherein the scheduler is configured to determine a sequence and / or a time of the operation to be performed by the at least one hardware device, and wherein the scheduler comprises a plurality of subsystems, wherein each of the subsystems is configured to process the request depending on a corresponding piece of information, and wherein each piece of information is characteristic of a thread of the scheduler, - Regulating and controlling the at least one resource of the at least one hardware device for the operation by the scheduler depending on the information, so that a process is carried out by and / or on the ion trap (2), wherein the threads in the scheduler interact with each other and process the request such that the operation is carried out by the hardware device such that the process is carried out by and / or on an ion trap (2), wherein the process is characteristic of the confinement and / or manipulation of at least one ion within the ion trap (2), wherein the scheduler regulates and controls a plurality of resources of a plurality of hardware devices depending on the request to carry out the process, and wherein the scheduler automatically regulates and controls the resources of at least two of the following elements: a laser, a wave measuring device, an acousto-optical modulator, an electro-optical modulator,a detector, a signal generator, an amplifier, a power supply, a piezo controller and a motor. [2] Method according to claim 1, after the at least one resource has been regulated and controlled, - receiving at least one response from the at least one hardware device by the scheduler, and - Adapting the regulation and control depending on at least one response. [3] Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, - Transmitting at least one result of the at least one hardware device by the scheduler to the application layer. [4] The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein regulating and controlling the resource of the at least one hardware device further comprises: - Determining a priority of the at least one system call by the scheduler, and - Regulating and controlling the at least one resource of the at least one hardware device based on the priority. [5] Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein - the application layer comprises at least one calibration routine, and / or - the application layer includes at least one optimization routine. [6] Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein - the application layer and the kernel layer are designed to compile, automate and calibrate the request so that a process is executed by and / or on the ion trap (2) in real time. [7] Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein - the ion trap (2) is a processing unit of the quantum computer system. [8] System (1) for regulating and controlling at least one resource of a quantum computer system comprising hardware devices, and one of the hardware devices is an ion trap (2), wherein the system (1) is designed to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims. [9] System (1) according to claim 8, comprising - an application layer, - a kernel layer, and - a scheduler. [10] A computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, cause the computer program to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [11] A computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 10 is stored.

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