Rotating storage area for quantum computing

Abstract

Quantum object confinement devices including data bus confinement corridors and cyclic storage areas, systems including such confinement devices, and corresponding methods are provided. Exemplary embodiment quantum object confinement devices include one or more data bus confinement corridors and one or more cyclic storage confinement corridors. Each data bus confinement corridor is defined at least in part by a respective passage sequence of control electrodes. The data bus confinement corridors are configured for transport of one or more quantum objects along the data bus confinement corridors. Each cyclic storage confinement corridor is defined at least in part by a respective cyclic sequence of control electrodes. Each cyclic storage confinement corridor is coupled to a respective data bus confinement corridor via one or more junctions such that one or more quantum objects may be transported from the cyclic storage confinement corridor to the respective data bus confinement corridor, or vice versa.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 466,916, entitled "CYCLIC STORAGE AREAS FOR QUANTUM COMPUTING," filed May 16, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 476,226, entitled "JUNCTION CACHING FOR QUANTUM PROCESSING UNIT MEMORY HIERARCHY," filed December 20, 2022, and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 521,501, entitled "CYCLIC STORAGE AREAS FOR QUANTUM COMPUTING," filed November 28, 2023, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0002] Various embodiments relate to quantum object confinement devices and methods for routing and sorting quantum objects confined by the quantum object confinement devices. For example, various embodiments relate to the use of a cyclic storage region coupled via a junction to a data bus confinement corridor of a quantum object confinement device to perform quantum object routing and / or sorting operations. [Background technology]

[0003] In some cases, quantum object confinement devices define one or more one-dimensional confinement regions. Quantum objects confined by the quantum object confinement devices may be transported along the confinement regions. However, when the experiment being performed requires rearranging the chain of quantum objects within the one-dimensional confinement region, sorting the quantum objects can take a significant amount of time. Through extensive effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of the shortcomings of such quantum object confinement devices and methods of use have been overcome by developing solutions constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, many examples of which are described in detail herein. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 379040 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Exemplary embodiments provide quantum object confinement devices, systems including quantum object confinement devices, and methods for routing and sorting quantum objects confined by the quantum object confinement devices. In various embodiments, the quantum object confinement devices include one or more confinement regions that are data bus confinement passageways. Each data bus confinement passageway includes and / or is coupled to one or more quantum operation locations. In various embodiments, the systems including the quantum object confinement devices are configured to perform one or more respective quantum operations on one or more respective quantum objects at each of the quantum operation locations.

[0006] In various embodiments, the quantum object confinement device further includes one or more trapping regions that are respective circulatory storage areas, hi various embodiments, the circulatory storage areas are coupled to respective data bus confinement passages via interfaces such that quantum objects may be transferred from the data bus confinement passages to the circulatory storage areas and / or from the circulatory storage areas to the data bus confinement passages.

[0007] For example, a plurality of quantum objects may be stored in a circulating storage area, including a quantum object on which a quantum operation (quantum operation) is to be performed in the near future at a particular quantum operation location, and the quantum objects stored in the circulating storage area are rotated in unison around the circulating storage area until the quantum object on which a quantum operation is to be performed in the near future is transferred from the circulating storage area to a data bus confinement passageway coupled to the circulating storage area and then in position for transfer along the data bus confinement passageway to the particular quantum operation location.

[0008] According to one aspect, a quantum object confinement device is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object confinement device includes one or more data bus confinement corridors and one or more cyclic storage bus confinement corridors. Each data bus confinement corridor of the one or more data bus confinement corridors is defined at least in part by a respective corridor sequence of control electrodes. The one or more data bus confinement corridors are configured for transport of one or more quantum objects along the one or more data bus confinement corridors. At least one of the data bus confinement corridors provides access to, or is configured to at least partially define, one or more quantum operation locations configured for performance of one or more quantum operations on one or more quantum objects at the one or more quantum operation locations. Each cyclic storage bus confinement corridor of the one or more cyclic storage bus confinement corridors is defined at least in part by a respective cyclic sequence of control electrodes. Each of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is coupled to one or more respective data bus confinement passages via one or more junctions such that one or more quantum objects may be transferred from one or more data bus confinement passages to one or more respective circular storage bus confinement passages and from one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to one or more respective data bus confinement passages. The one or more circular storage bus confinement passages are configured for storage of the plurality of quantum objects in the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages and for simultaneous transfer of the plurality of stored quantum objects along the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to transfer a desired one of the plurality of stored quantum objects to a desired one of the one or more junctions to enable transfer of a desired one of the plurality of stored quantum objects to a desired one of the one or more data bus confinement passages for transfer to one of the one or more quantum operation locations.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the same first analog signal is applied to each of the control electrodes of the circular sequence of control electrodes of each circular storage bus confinement passage to cause simultaneous transport of a plurality of stored quantum objects in a first direction along the respective circular storage bus confinement passage.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the same second analog signal is applied to each of the control electrodes of the circular sequence of control electrodes of each circular storage bus confinement passage to cause simultaneous transport of the plurality of stored quantum objects in a second direction opposite to the first direction along the respective circular storage bus confinement passage.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more circular storage bus containment passages include at least a first circular storage bus containment passage and a second circular storage bus containment passage, the first circular storage bus containment passage being coupled to a first end of each data bus containment passage, and the second circular storage bus containment passage being coupled to a second end of each data bus containment passage.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object confinement device further includes a linear storage site configured for storage of quantum objects. The linear storage site is defined at least in part by a respective linear sequence of control electrodes. One of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is coupled to a first end of a respective data bus confinement passage, and the linear storage site is coupled to a second end of a respective data bus confinement passage.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more circular storage bus containment aisles each have a shape selected from the group consisting of: circular, oval, elliptical, square, and rectangular.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object confinement device further includes at least two data bus confinement passages, and one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is coupled to the two data bus confinement passages via one junction.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object confinement device further includes at least two data bus confinement passages, and one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is coupled to each of the two data bus confinement passages via a different respective junction.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, quantum objects stored in at least one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages are at a lower height relative to at least one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages compared to a height of quantum objects transported along at least one of the one or more data bus confinement passages relative to at least one of the one or more data bus confinement passages.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object confinement device further includes one or more lasers that project a laser beam onto the quantum objects in at least one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to cool the quantum objects in at least one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages.

[0018] According to another aspect, a method for using a circular storage bus confinement passage is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes confining a plurality of quantum objects in a quantum object confinement device, the quantum object confinement device including one or more data bus confinement passages and one or more circular storage bus confinement passages. Each data bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages is defined at least in part by a respective passage sequence of control electrodes. The one or more data bus confinement passages are configured for transport of one or more quantum objects along the one or more data bus confinement passages. At least one of the data bus confinement passages provides access to, or is configured to at least partially define, one or more quantum operation locations configured for performance of one or more quantum operations on one or more quantum objects at the one or more quantum operation locations. Each circular storage bus confinement passage of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is defined at least in part by a respective circular sequence of control electrodes. Each of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is coupled to one or more respective data bus confinement passages via one or more junctions such that one or more quantum objects may be transferred from one or more data bus confinement passages to one or more respective circular storage bus confinement passages and from one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to one or more respective data bus confinement passages. The one or more circular storage bus confinement passages are configured for storage of the multiple quantum objects in the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages and for simultaneous transfer of multiple stored quantum objects along the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to transfer a desired one of the multiple stored quantum objects to a desired one of the one or more junctions to enable transfer of a desired one of the multiple stored quantum objects to a desired one of the one or more data bus confinement passages for transfer to one of the one or more quantum operation locations. A first data bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages provides access to a first quantum operation location.A first circular storage bus confinement passage of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is coupled to the first data bus confinement passage via a first junction of the one or more junctions. The one or more quantum objects confined by the quantum object confinement device include a first quantum object. The method further includes transporting the one or more quantum objects in unison along the first circular storage bus confinement passage until the first quantum object reaches the first junction, transporting the first quantum object from the circular storage bus confinement passage to the first data bus confinement passage via the first junction, transporting the first quantum object via the first data bus confinement passage to a first quantum operation location, and performing a quantum operation on at least the first quantum object at the first quantum operation location.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the method is performed by a controller configured to control one or more components of a system that includes a quantum object confinement device.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes applying the same first analog signal to each of the control electrodes of the circular sequence of control electrodes of each circular storage bus confinement passage to cause simultaneous transport of the plurality of stored quantum objects in a first direction along the respective circular storage bus confinement passage.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes applying the same second analog signal to each of the control electrodes of the circular sequence of control electrodes of each circular storage bus confinement passage to cause simultaneous transport of the plurality of stored quantum objects in a second direction opposite to the first direction along the respective circular storage bus confinement passage.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages of the quantum object confinement device include at least a first circular storage bus confinement passage and a second circular storage bus confinement passage. The first circular storage bus confinement passage is coupled to a first end of each data bus confinement passage, and the second circular storage bus confinement passage is coupled to a second end of each data bus confinement passage. The method further includes, after performing a quantum operation on at least a first quantum object at a first quantum operation location, transferring the first quantum object to the second circular storage bus confinement passage via the first data bus confinement passage.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object confinement device further includes a linear storage site configured for storage of the quantum object. The linear storage site is defined at least in part by a respective linear sequence of control electrodes. One of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is coupled to a first end of a respective data bus confinement passage, and the linear storage site is coupled to a second end of the respective data bus confinement passage. The method further includes, after performing a quantum operation on at least the first quantum object at the first quantum operation location, transporting the first quantum object via the first data bus confinement passage to the linear storage site.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more circular storage bus containment aisles each have a shape selected from the group consisting of: circular, oval, elliptical, square, and rectangular.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, a second data bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages provides access to a second quantum operation location, the first circular storage bus confinement passage is coupled to the second data bus confinement passage via a first junction, and the one or more quantum objects further include a second quantum object. The method further includes transporting the one or more quantum objects in unison along the first circular storage bus confinement passage until the second quantum object reaches the first junction, transporting the second quantum object from the circular storage bus confinement passage via the first junction to the second data bus confinement passage, transporting the second quantum object via the second data bus confinement passage to the second quantum operation location, and performing a quantum operation on at least the second quantum object at the second quantum operation location.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, a second data bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages provides access to a second quantum operation location, the first circular storage bus confinement passage is coupled to the second data bus confinement passage via a second junction of the one or more junctions, and the one or more quantum objects further include a second quantum object. The method further includes transporting the one or more quantum objects in unison along the first circular storage bus confinement passage until the second quantum object reaches the second junction, transporting the second quantum object from the circular storage bus confinement passage to the second data bus confinement passage via the second junction, transporting the second quantum object via the second data bus confinement passage to the second quantum operation location, and performing a quantum operation on at least the second quantum object at the second quantum operation location.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, quantum objects stored in at least one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages are at a lower height relative to at least one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages compared to a height of quantum objects transported along at least one of the one or more data bus confinement passages relative to at least one of the one or more data bus confinement passages.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object confinement device further includes one or more lasers, and the method further includes projecting a laser beam onto the quantum objects in at least one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to cool the quantum objects in at least one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages.

[0029] According to another aspect, a controller is provided. The controller includes a classical processing device and a classical memory. The controller is configured to execute executable instructions stored in the classical memory using the classical processing device to cause the controller to control one or more components of a system including the quantum object confinement device to confine multiple quantum objects in the quantum object confinement device. The quantum object confinement device includes one or more data bus confinement paths and one or more circular storage bus confinement paths. Each data bus confinement path of the one or more data bus confinement paths is defined at least in part by a respective path sequence of the control electrodes. The one or more data bus confinement paths are configured for transport of one or more quantum objects along the one or more data bus confinement paths. At least one of the data bus confinement paths is configured to provide access to, or at least partially define, one or more quantum operation locations configured for performance of one or more quantum operations on one or more quantum objects at the one or more quantum operation locations. Each circular storage bus confinement path of the one or more circular storage bus confinement paths is defined at least in part by a respective circular sequence of the control electrodes. Each of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is coupled to one or more respective data bus confinement passages via one or more junctions such that one or more quantum objects may be transferred from one or more data bus confinement passages to one or more respective circular storage bus confinement passages and from one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to one or more respective data bus confinement passages. The one or more circular storage bus confinement passages are configured for storage of the plurality of quantum objects in the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages and for simultaneous transfer of the plurality of stored quantum objects along the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to transfer a desired one of the plurality of stored quantum objects to a desired one of the one or more junctions to enable transfer of a desired one of the plurality of stored quantum objects to a desired one of the one or more data bus confinement passages for transfer to one of the one or more quantum operation locations.

[0030] The controller is configured to execute executable instructions stored in the classical memory using a classical processing device to cause the quantum object confinement device to confine multiple quantum objects. A first data bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages provides access to a first quantum operation location. A first circular storage bus confinement passage of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is coupled to the first data bus confinement passage via a first junction of the one or more junctions. The one or more quantum objects confined by the quantum object confinement device include a first quantum object. The controller is further configured to execute executable instructions stored in the classical memory using the classical processing device to cause the quantum object confinement device to transport the one or more quantum objects in unison along the first circular storage bus confinement passage until the first quantum object reaches the first junction, transport the first quantum object from the circular storage bus confinement passage via the first junction to the first data bus confinement passage, transport the first quantum object via the first data bus confinement passage to the first quantum operation location, and perform a quantum operation on at least the first quantum object at the first quantum operation location.

[0031] According to yet another aspect, a system is provided. The system includes a quantum object confinement device, one or more voltage sources, and a controller configured to control operation of the one or more voltage sources. The quantum object confinement device includes one or more data bus confinement passages and one or more circular storage bus confinement passages. Each data bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages is defined at least in part by a respective passage sequence of control electrodes. The one or more data bus confinement passages are configured for transport of one or more quantum objects along the one or more data bus confinement passages. At least one of the data bus confinement passages provides access to, or is configured to at least partially define, one or more quantum operation locations configured for performance of one or more quantum operations on one or more quantum objects at the one or more quantum operation locations. Each circular storage bus confinement passage of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is defined at least in part by a respective circular sequence of control electrodes. Each of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is coupled to one or more respective data bus confinement passages via one or more junctions such that one or more quantum objects may be transferred from one or more data bus confinement passages to one or more respective circular storage bus confinement passages and from one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to one or more respective data bus confinement passages. The one or more circular storage bus confinement passages are configured for storage of the plurality of quantum objects in the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages and for simultaneous transfer of the plurality of stored quantum objects along the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to transfer a desired one of the plurality of stored quantum objects to a desired one of the one or more junctions to enable transfer of a desired one of the plurality of stored quantum objects to a desired one of the one or more data bus confinement passages for transfer to one of the one or more quantum operation locations.

[0032] The one or more voltage sources are configured to provide respective voltage signals to the respective control electrodes of the respective passage sequences of the control electrodes and the respective cyclical sequences of the control electrodes. The controller is configured to control operation of the one or more voltage sources to cause the quantum object confinement device to confine the multiple quantum objects. A first data bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages provides access to the first quantum operation location. The first cyclical storage bus confinement passage of the one or more cyclical storage bus confinement passages is coupled to the first data bus confinement passage via a first junction of the one or more junctions. The one or more quantum objects confined by the quantum object confinement device include a first quantum object. The controller is further configured to control operation of the one or more voltage sources to cause the system to transport one or more quantum objects in unison along the first circular storage bus confinement passage until the first quantum object reaches the first junction, to transport the first quantum object from the circular storage bus confinement passage to the first data bus confinement passage via the first junction, to transport the first quantum object via the first data bus confinement passage to a first quantum operation location, and to perform a quantum operation on at least the first quantum object at the first quantum operation location.

[0033] Having thus broadly described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system including a quantum object confinement device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a top view of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart illustrating various processes and / or procedures of routing operations according to an example embodiment, the processes and / or procedures being performed by a controller of a system including a quantum object confinement device including one or more cache confinement sites. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart illustrating various processes and / or procedures of a sorting operation according to an example embodiment, the processes and / or procedures being performed by a controller of a system including a quantum object confinement device including one or more sorting confinement sites. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the performance of a sort operation using a sort containment site in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the performance of a sort operation using a sort containment site in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 9C] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the performance of a sort operation using a sort containment site in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 9D] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the performance of a sort operation using a sort containment site in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram of an example controller for a system including a quantum object confinement device configured to confine a quantum object therein in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram of an example computing entity of a system including a quantum object confinement device that may be used by example embodiments. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 15] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 16] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 17] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 18] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 19] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 20] 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. [Figure 21] 1 is a simplified side view of an exemplary atomic object confinement apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; [Figure 22] 1 is a flowchart illustrating various processes and / or procedures of a routing operation according to an exemplary embodiment, the processes and / or procedures being performed by a controller of a system including a quantum object confinement device including one or more circular storage bus confinement passages. [Figure 23] 1 is a top view of at least a portion of an example quantum object confinement device in accordance with an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. The term "or" (also written " / ") is used herein in both a disjunctive and conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. The terms "illustrative" and "exemplary" are used to be examples and do not denote a level of quality. The terms "generally" and "about," unless otherwise indicated, refer to within applicable engineering and / or manufacturing tolerances and / or the user's measurement capabilities. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0036] In various scenarios, quantum objects are confined by quantum object confinement devices (also referred to herein as confinement devices). In various embodiments, the quantum objects are ions, atoms, ionic molecules, molecular molecules, and / or multipolar molecules, quantum dots, quantum particles, groups, crystals, and / or combinations thereof (e.g., ionic crystals containing two or more ions), etc. In exemplary embodiments in which the quantum objects are ions and / or ionic crystals, the confinement device is an ion trap, such as a surface ion trap, a Paul ion trap, etc. In various other embodiments, the confinement device is a device configured to confine the quantum objects and includes and / or defines one or more data bus confinement corridors and one or more cache confinement sites, each coupled to a respective data bus confinement corridor.

[0037] In various embodiments, quantum objects confined by confinement devices are used to perform experiments, controlled quantum state evolution, quantum computing, etc. In various embodiments, quantum objects are transported between various locations defined at least in part by the confinement devices and / or systems including the confinement devices. For example, quantum objects may be transported into and / or out of one or more quantum operation locations along one or more data bus confinement paths. In various embodiments, quantum objects may be transported into and / or out of one or more storage sites. Transporting quantum objects between storage sites and quantum operation locations may take a significant amount of time (e.g., significantly more time than performing a quantum operation on the quantum object and / or a non-negligible fraction of the coherence time of the quantum object's quantum state). Transporting quantum objects may also cause undesirable heating of the quantum objects.

[0038] Furthermore, when multiple quantum objects are confined by a confinement device, rearranging the quantum objects within a one-dimensional confinement region (e.g., a data bus confinement corridor, a storage confinement corridor, etc.) may require a large number of sorting and / or rearrangement operations. These sorting and / or rearrangement operations may also be time consuming and may lead to further undesirable heating of the quantum objects. Thus, technical problems exist regarding the efficient routing and sorting of quantum objects confined by a quantum object confinement device.

[0039] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide technical solutions to these technical problems. Various embodiments provide a confinement device and / or a system including the confinement device, including one or more data bus confinement passages and one or more cache confinement sites and / or sort confinement sites. Each of the one or more data bus confinement passages contains one or more quantum objects to be transferred into and / or out of one or more quantum operation locations and / or allows one or more quantum objects to be transferred into and / or out of one or more quantum operation locations. Each of the cache confinement sites is coupled to a respective data bus confinement passage such that quantum objects may be transferred from the respective data bus confinement passage to the cache confinement site and / or from the cache confinement site to the data bus confinement passage. The cache confinement sites allow quantum objects to be stored near the quantum operation locations such that they may be transferred between the quantum operation locations and the cache confinement site (or vice versa) more quickly and with reduced heating (compared to transfer operations over longer distances). Thus, various embodiments provide improvements to the field of confinement devices and methods related to and / or including transferred quantum objects confined by the confinement device.

[0040] [Exemplary Systems Including Quantum Object Confinement Devices] Various embodiments provide a system 100 that includes a quantum object confinement device 200, as shown in Figure 1. Quantum object confinement device 200 is configured to confine multiple quantum objects such that the quantum states of each of the quantum objects may be manipulated, evolved in a controlled manner (e.g., according to a quantum circuit), etc.

[0041] For example, quantum operations (e.g., one-qubit quantum logic gates, two-qubit quantum logic gates, initialization, read / detection operations, etc.) may be performed on quantum objects disposed within quantum operation locations defined by confinement device 200 and / or system 100 including the confinement device. For example, confinement device 200 is configured to maintain one or more quantum objects at the quantum operation locations such that quantum operations may be performed on the one or more quantum objects. In various embodiments, system 100 including confinement device 200 includes one or more manipulation sources 64 (e.g., 64A, 64B, 64C) configured to provide manipulation signals (e.g., laser beams and / or pulses, microwave signals, etc.) such that the manipulation signals interact with one or more quantum objects disposed at the quantum operation locations. In various embodiments, system 100 including confinement device 200 includes one or more magnetic field generators 70 (e.g., 70A, 70B) configured to provide controlled magnetic fields and / or magnetic field gradients at the quantum operation locations for use in performing one or more quantum operations on one or more quantum objects disposed at the quantum operation locations. In various embodiments, system 100 including containment device 200 includes a light collection system configured to collect and / or detect light and / or photons emitted by one or more quantum objects located at the quantum operation locations.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, system 100, including confinement device 200, is and / or includes a quantum charge-coupled device (QCCD)-based quantum computer. For example, one or more of the quantum objects confined by confinement device 200 may be used as qubits in the quantum computer.

[0043] In various embodiments, system 100 includes computing entity 10 and quantum computer 110. In various embodiments, quantum computer 110 includes controller 30 and quantum processor 115. In various embodiments, quantum processor 115 includes a cryostat and / or vacuum chamber 40 surrounding confinement device 200, one or more manipulation sources 64 (e.g., 64A, 64B, 64C), one or more voltage sources 50, one or more magnetic field generators 70 (e.g., 70A, 70B), a light collection system 80, etc. In various embodiments, controller 30 is configured to control the operation of (e.g., control one or more drivers configured to cause operation of) manipulation sources 64, voltage sources 50, magnetic field generators 70, vacuum system, and / or cryogenic cooling system (not shown), etc. In various embodiments, controller 30 is configured to receive signals (e.g., electrical signals) generated and provided by light collection system 80.

[0044] In exemplary embodiments, the one or more manipulation sources 64 may include one or more lasers (e.g., optical lasers, microwave sources, and / or masers, etc.) or another manipulation source. In various embodiments, the one or more manipulation sources 64 are configured to manipulate and / or cause the controlled quantum state evolution of one or more quantum objects within the confinement device 200. For example, the first manipulation source 64A is configured to generate and / or provide a first manipulation signal, and the second manipulation source 64B is configured to generate and / or provide a second manipulation signal, where the first and second manipulation signals are configured to perform one or more quantum operations (e.g., one-qubit gate (single-qubit gate), two-qubit gate, cooling, initialization, readout / detection, etc.) on the quantum objects confined by the confinement device.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more manipulation sources 64 each provide a manipulation signal (e.g., a laser beam, etc.) to one or more regions of atomic object confinement device 200 via a corresponding beam path 66 (e.g., 66A, 66B, 66C). In various embodiments, at least one beam path 66 includes a modulator configured to modulate the manipulation signal being provided to confinement device 200 via beam path 66. In various embodiments, manipulation sources 64, modulators, and / or other components of quantum computer 110 are controlled by controller 30.

[0046] In various embodiments, confinement device 200 is an ion trap, such as a surface ion trap, a Paul ion trap, etc. In various embodiments, the quantum object is an ion, an atom, an ionic crystal and / or group, an atomic crystal and / or group, an ionic molecule, a molecular molecule, and / or a multipolar molecule, a quantum dot, a quantum particle, group, crystal, and / or combination thereof (e.g., an ionic crystal), etc. In various embodiments, confinement device 200 is any suitable confinement device for confining the quantum object of the embodiments.

[0047] In various embodiments, quantum computer 110 includes one or more voltage sources 50. For example, the voltage sources may be arbitrary wave generators (AWGs) and / or other voltage signal generators. For example, voltage sources 50 may include multiple longitudinal voltage drivers and / or longitudinal voltage sources, and / or at least one RF driver and / or RF voltage source. In exemplary embodiments, voltage sources 50 may be electrically coupled to corresponding potential-generating elements (e.g., control electrodes and / or RF electrodes) of containment device 200.

[0048] In various embodiments, quantum computer 110 includes one or more magnetic field generators 70 (e.g., 70A, 70B). For example, the magnetic field generators may be internal magnetic field generators 70A disposed within cryogenic and / or vacuum chamber 40 and / or external magnetic field generators 70B disposed outside cryogenic and / or vacuum chamber 40. In various embodiments, magnetic field generators 70 include permanent magnets, Helmholtz coils, electromagnets, etc. In various embodiments, magnetic field generators 70 are configured to generate magnetic fields and / or magnetic field gradients in one or more regions of confinement device 200 having a particular magnitude and a particular field direction in one or more regions of confinement device 200.

[0049] In various embodiments, quantum computer 110 includes a light collection system 80 configured to collect and / or detect photons (e.g., stimulated emission) generated by quantum objects located at each quantum operation location (e.g., during a read / detect operation). Light collection system 80 may include one or more optical elements (e.g., lenses, mirrors, waveguides, fiber optic cables, etc.) and one or more photodetectors. In various embodiments, the photodetectors may be photodiodes, photomultiplier tubes, charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors, complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors, and / or other photodetectors that are sensitive to light at the expected fluorescence wavelengths of the quantum objects. In various embodiments, the detectors may be in electronic communication with controller 30, such as via one or more analog-to-digital converters 1025 (see FIG. 10 ).

[0050] In various embodiments, computing entity 10 is configured to allow a user to provide input to quantum computer 110 and receive, view, etc. output from quantum computer 110 (e.g., via a user interface of computing entity 10). Computing entity 10 may communicate with a controller 30 of quantum computer 110 via one or more wired or wireless networks 20 and / or via direct wired and / or wireless communication. In exemplary embodiments, computing entity 10 may convert, configure, format, etc., information / data, quantum computing algorithms (e.g., quantum circuits), etc. into a computing language, executable instructions, command set, etc. that controller 30 can understand, execute, and / or implement.

[0051] In various embodiments, controller 30 is configured to control voltage source 50, magnetic field generator 70, a cryogenic and / or vacuum system that controls the temperature and / or pressure within cryogenic and / or vacuum chamber 40, manipulation source 64, and / or other systems that control various environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.) within cryogenic and / or vacuum chamber 40, configured to manipulate and / or cause the controlled evolution of the quantum states of one or more quantum objects within the confinement device and / or read and / or detect the quantum (e.g., qubit) states of one or more quantum objects within the confinement device. For example, controller 30 may cause the controlled evolution of the quantum states of one or more quantum objects within the confinement device to execute a quantum circuit and / or algorithm. For example, controller 30 may read and / or detect the quantum states of one or more quantum objects within the confinement device at one or more times during the execution of a quantum circuit. In various embodiments, quantum objects confined by the confinement device are used as qubits in quantum computer 110.

[0052] [Example of an atomic object confinement device] FIG. 2 provides a top view of at least a portion of an exemplary confinement device 200 that may be used to confine one or more quantum objects. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the confinement device is an ion trap (e.g., a surface ion trap) and the quantum objects are ions and / or ionic crystals. In the exemplary embodiment, the confinement device 200 (e.g., a surface ion trap) is fabricated as part of an ion trap chip and / or as part of an ion trap device and / or package. In the exemplary embodiment, the confinement device 200 is at least partially defined by several RF electrodes 212, 222 (e.g., 212A, 212B, 222A, 222B). In various embodiments, the confinement device 200 is at least partially defined by several sequences of control electrodes 214, 224 (e.g., 214A, 214B, 214C, 224A, 224B, 224C). Each sequence of longitudinal electrodes 214, 224 includes multiple longitudinal electrodes 216. In exemplary embodiments, the sequence of control electrodes 214, 224 and / or at least a non-empty subset of longitudinal electrodes 216 may be independently operated by application of a control signal thereto. In exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of control electrodes 216 are operated by application of a broadcast control signal. In exemplary embodiments, confinement device 200 is a surface Paul trap using symmetric RF electrodes 212, 222. In various embodiments, RF electrodes 212, 222 and control electrode 216 generate potentials and / or fields experienced by quantum objects within respective confinement regions of confinement device 200. In particular, RF electrodes 212, 222 may be configured to define respective confinement regions of confinement device 200, and control electrode 216 may be configured to at least partially control the movement and / or motion of quantum objects within the respective confinement regions.

[0053] In various embodiments, each confinement region includes one or more data bus confinement paths 210. In exemplary embodiments, the data bus confinement paths 210 are defined at least in part by one or more path sequences of one or more bus RF electrodes 212 (e.g., 212A, 212B) and / or control electrodes 214 (e.g., 214A, 214B, 214C). In various embodiments, the data bus confinement regions 210 include and / or provide access to one or more quantum operation locations 218 (e.g., 218A, 218B). In various embodiments, the path sequence of the one or more bus RF electrodes 212 and / or control electrodes 214 defines a bus axis 215.

[0054] In various embodiments, each confinement region includes one or more cache confinement sites 220 (e.g., 220A, 220B). In exemplary embodiments, the cache confinement sites 220 are defined at least in part by one or more cache site sequences of one or more cache site RF electrodes 222 (e.g., 222A, 222B) and / or control electrodes 224 (e.g., 224A, 224B, 224C). In various embodiments, the cache site sequence of the cache site RF electrodes 222 and / or control electrodes 224 defines a site axis 225.

[0055] In various embodiments, site axis 225 is transverse to bus axis 215. In various embodiments, cache confinement site 220 is coupled to data bus confinement passage 210 such that one or more quantum objects can be transferred from data bus confinement passage 210 to cache confinement site 220 and / or from cache confinement site 220 to data bus confinement passage 210. For example, data bus confinement passage 210 and cache confinement site 220 are coupled to one another via junction 230 in an exemplary embodiment.

[0056] In exemplary embodiments, the cache site sequence of control electrodes 224 is configured to form at most one potential well. In exemplary embodiments, the cache site sequence of control electrodes 224 is configured to form one or more potential wells. In exemplary embodiments, the cache confinement site has a single entrance / exit. For example, quantum objects can only enter or exit cache confinement site 220 via junction 230. In various embodiments, each cache site sequence of control electrodes 224 includes fewer control electrodes 216 than the passage sequence of control electrodes 214. In various embodiments, cache confinement site 220 is positioned such that quantum objects may be moved from cache confinement site 220 to at least one quantum operation location 218 (and / or from at least one quantum operation location 218 to cache confinement site 220) in a smaller amount of time than it takes to transport quantum objects between at least one quantum operation location 218 and a storage area of ​​the confinement device.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 3-7 , in various embodiments, the confinement device includes a storage area (e.g., 330A, 330B, 430A, 430B, 430C, 530A, 530B, 630, 730). The storage area is used to store quantum objects such that the quantum states of the quantum objects are maintained while quantum operations are performed on other quantum objects. For example, the storage area may be remote from quantum operation locations such that the quantum states of quantum objects placed within the storage area are less likely to be perturbed as a result of quantum operations being performed on other quantum objects at the quantum operation locations. For example, the storage area and cache confinement sites may form a memory hierarchy, with quantum objects placed in cache confinement sites more amenable to retrieval on faster timescales than quantum objects placed within the storage area.

[0058] For example, the cache transfer time t cis the time required to transfer a quantum object from a cache confinement site to a quantum computing location (or vice versa). The storage transfer time t s is the time required to transfer a quantum object from a storage area to a quantum computing location (or vice versa). In various embodiments, the storage transfer time t s is the average time required to transfer a quantum object from a storage area (which may include a storage bus confinement corridor rather than a single site) to a quantum computing location.

[0059] In various embodiments, the cache transfer time is at most a defined ratio x of the storage transfer time (e.g., t c ≦xt s where 0 < x < 1). In various embodiments, the defined ratio x is 0.9, 0.8, 0.75, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.25, 0.2, 0.1, etc. For example, for the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the defined ratio x is 0.6. For example, for cache confinement site 320C and quantum computing location 318A, t c ≦0.2t s For cache confinement site 320A and quantum computing location 318A, t c ≦0.5t s For cache confinement site 320I and quantum computing location 318G, t c ≦0.1t<� s Thus, for the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, t c ≦0.6t s is the case.

[0060] In various embodiments, transferring and / or maintaining quantum objects within the storage area includes using one or more broadcast voltage signals to control the electrical potential within the storage area. For example, a sequence of control electrodes 214 may be configured to be operated (e.g., have a voltage signal applied to that sequence of control electrodes 214) to cause parallel transfer operations to occur at multiple locations within the storage area. For example, a broadcast voltage signal may be applied to multiple control electrodes 216 corresponding to two or more sequences of control electrodes 214. For example, a broadcast voltage signal may be applied to a particular control electrode 216 to the right of junction 230 in FIG. 2 and to another control electrode 216 to the left of junction 230 (possibly at the same relative location on the bus). These parallel transfer operations may allow sorting of quantum objects within the storage area to occur.

[0061] The potential of the cache confinement sites is controlled independently of the potential of the storage areas. For example, the cache site sequence of control electrodes 224 is configured to have voltage signals applied to them that are independent of the voltage signals applied to the control electrode passage sequence or the control electrode sequence of the storage areas. For example, the cache confinement sites are configured not to participate in bulk sorting operations of the storage areas performed by parallel transfer operations. This allows quantum objects in the cache confinement sites to be kept close to the quantum operation sites while quantum objects in the storage areas are rearranged by parallel transfer operations. In this way, a hierarchy of storage locations for quantum objects exists, and quantum objects placed in cache confinement sites are sorted independently of quantum objects placed in the storage areas and / or data bus confinement passages.

[0062] In various embodiments, the top surface of the containment device 200 has a planarized topology. For example, the top surface of each of several RF electrodes 212, 222 and the top surface of each longitudinal electrode 216 of several sequences of control electrodes 214, 224 may be substantially coplanar.

[0063] In some embodiments, each of the longitudinal electrodes 216 of the several sequences of longitudinal electrodes 214 may be formed to have a substantially coplanar upper surface that is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the RF electrode 212 .

[0064] In various embodiments, RF signals may be applied to RF electrodes 212, 222 to generate electric and / or magnetic fields that act to maintain one or more quantum objects (e.g., ions) confined by confinement device 200 transversely to the respective bus and site axes 215, 225 of the confinement regions. In various embodiments, control signals and / or voltages are applied to longitudinal electrodes 216 to generate desired potential fields within the respective confinement regions. For example, in various embodiments, a time-dependent, time-varying, time-evolving, and / or non-static direct current (DC) voltage may be applied to control electrodes 216 to generate time-dependent, time-varying, time-evolving, and / or non-static potential fields that cause quantum objects confined by confinement device 200 to traverse corresponding trajectories into the respective confinement regions. For example, quantum objects may be moved between various zones of confinement device 200 so that various functions may be performed on them (e.g., within quantum operation locations 218) and / or stored for later use.

[0065] In various embodiments, the control signals and / or voltages applied to the longitudinal electrodes 216 are controlled by one or more connected devices (e.g., controller 30 shown in FIG. 10 , etc.) via leads. For example, depending on the strength (e.g., charge in the case of an electric monopole) of the quantum object's electric monopole and / or dipole (or larger magnitude pole), the control voltage may be increased or decreased for the control electrodes 216 in the vicinity of one or more particular quantum objects to cause the particular quantum objects to traverse desired trajectories. For example, controller 30 may control voltage drivers (e.g., of voltage source 50) to apply control signals and / or longitudinal voltages to the control electrodes to generate time-dependent potentials (e.g., potentials that develop, vary, and / or change over time) that cause the quantum objects in confinement device 200 to traverse desired trajectories.

[0066] Depending on factors such as the strength (e.g., charge in the case of an electric monopole) of the quantum object's electric monopole and / or dipole (or pole of larger magnitude) and / or the shape and / or magnitude of the combined electric and / or magnetic fields, the quantum object may be stabilized at a specific distance (e.g., about 20 μm to about 200 μm) above the top surface (e.g., the coplanar top surface of the sequence of control electrodes 214, 224 and RF electrodes 212, 222) of confinement device 200. To further contribute to controlling the transport of atomic objects along desired trajectories, in various embodiments, confinement device 200 may be operated in a cryogenic and / or vacuum chamber capable of cooling confinement device 200 to a temperature below 124 Kelvin (e.g., below 100 Kelvin, below 50 Kelvin, below 10 Kelvin, below 5 Kelvin, etc.).

[0067] In various embodiments, the sequence of RF electrodes 212, 222, electrodes 214, 224, and / or the confinement potential generated by the RF electrodes and / or the sequence of electrodes define the confinement regions 210, 220 of confinement device 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the confinement potential generated by bus RF electrode 212 and / or corridor RF electrode 212 defines a data bus confinement passage 210 of confinement device 200, and longitudinal electrodes 216 of the passage sequence of control electrodes 214 control the movement and / or positioning of quantum objects within the data bus confinement passage. In an exemplary embodiment, cache site RF electrode 222 and / or the confinement potential generated by cache site RF electrode 222 define a cache confinement site 220 of confinement device 200, and longitudinal electrodes 216 of the cache site sequence of control electrodes 214 control the movement and / or positioning of quantum objects within the cache confinement site.

[0068] While FIG. 2 illustrates quantum object confinement device 200 as a surface ion trap, in various embodiments, the quantum object confinement device is a 3D ion trap or other quantum object confinement device. In an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object confinement device is a 3D wafer trap configured to confine quantum objects such as ions. In an exemplary embodiment, the quantum object confinement device is a 3D trap in which the confinement corridor (e.g., data bus confinement corridor and / or storage bus confinement corridor) is in a plane (or a set of (substantially) parallel planes) and the confinement sites (e.g., cache confinement sites and / or sort confinement sites) are located out of plane (or out of each plane of the set of (substantially) parallel planes). For example, a quantum object may be moved from the confinement corridor to the confinement site by moving the quantum object in a vertical direction (e.g., a direction perpendicular / perpendicular to the plane or each plane of the set of (substantially) parallel planes).

[0069] In various embodiments, the cache confinement sites are configured to store quantum objects with high fidelity for a substantial period of time (e.g., up to the coherence time of the quantum object's quantum state, or possibly longer). For example, in various embodiments, the cache confinement sites are positioned within the confinement device such that stray fields (e.g., reflected and / or diffracted manipulation signals, photons emitted by other quantum objects confined by the confinement device, etc.) are unlikely to interact with quantum objects placed in the cache confinement sites. In another example, traces, vias, etc. formed on the chip on which the confinement device is formed do not pass under and / or come within a minimum distance of the respective cache confinement sites. For example, the subsurface routing of various signals is configured and / or designed to reduce the likelihood of stray fields at the cache confinement sites. In exemplary embodiments, the magnetic fields at the cache confinement sites are controlled to have a particular amplitude and / or direction. For example, the confinement device is configured to reduce and / or minimize perturbations experienced by quantum objects placed in the cache confinement sites.

[0070] 3-7 provide schematic diagrams of at least a portion of various containment devices 300, 400, 500, 600, 700. Each of the containment devices 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 includes one or more data bus containment corridors and one or more cache containment sites. The one or more data bus containment corridors include one or more quantum operation locations and / or provide access to one or more quantum operation locations. In various embodiments, the containment devices 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 include one or more storage areas. In various embodiments, the storage areas do not include and / or provide access to quantum operation locations. For example, the quantum operation locations are not directly accessible from the storage areas. For example, quantum objects must be transported along at least a portion of the data bus containment corridors to access the quantum operation locations from the storage areas. In various embodiments, each of the storage areas includes one or more storage bus containment corridors and / or sorting containment sites. In various embodiments, the electrode layout of the storage bus containment aisle is similar to the electrode layout of the data bus containment aisle and / or the electrode layout of the sort containment site is similar to the electrode layout of the cache containment site.

[0071] For example, FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary containment device 300. The containment device 300 includes a first data bus containment passage 310A and a second data bus containment passage 310B. Each of the first data bus containment passage 310A and the second data bus containment passage 310B extends from a first storage area 330A to a second storage area 330B. In the illustrated embodiment, the first storage area 330A includes a storage bus containment passage 332 connecting a first end of the first data bus containment passage 310A to a first end of the second data bus containment passage 310B. Similarly, the second storage area 330B includes a storage containment passage connecting a second end of the first data bus containment passage 310A to a second end of the second data bus containment passage 310B.

[0072] A plurality of quantum operation locations 318 (e.g., 318A, 318G, 318N represented by unfilled circles) are respectively positioned along respective data bus confinement paths of first data bus confinement path 310A and second data bus confinement path 310B. Each of quantum operation locations 318 is configured to cause one or more quantum operations to be performed on one or more quantum objects located at that quantum operation location 318.

[0073] Containment device 300 further includes a plurality of cache containment sites 320 (e.g., cache containment sites 320A-320J represented by filled circles). In various embodiments, cache containment sites 320 are coupled to data bus containment passages 310 via junctions. For example, cache containment sites 320 are "dead-end" trapping regions coupled to respective data bus containment passages 310 via junctions. In various embodiments, a junction is a location where two or more trapping regions meet. In various embodiments, at least one of the two or more trapping regions is not parallel or anti-parallel to at least one other of the two or more trapping regions that meet at the junction.

[0074] Each of the cache confinement sites 320 is located near at least one of the quantum operation locations 318. For example, the distance between the cache confinement site 320 and the at least one quantum operation location 318 is less than the distance between the at least one storage area 330 and the at least one quantum operation location 318. For example, the storage area 330 and the cache confinement site 320 form a memory hierarchy, and quantum objects located in the cache confinement site 320 are retrievable (e.g., can be transferred to the quantum operation location 318) on a faster timescale than quantum objects located in the storage area 330. Similarly, quantum objects can be transferred from the quantum operation location 318 to the cache confinement site 320 on a faster timescale than it takes to transfer the quantum objects from the quantum operation location 318 to the storage area 330.

[0075] For example, the cache transfer time t c is the time required to transfer a quantum object from the cache confinement site 320 to the quantum operation position 318 (or vice versa). The storage transfer time t s is the time required to transfer a quantum object from the storage area 330 to the quantum operation position 318 (or vice versa). In various embodiments, the storage transfer time t s is the average time required to transfer a quantum object from the storage area 330 (which may include the storage bus confinement passage 332 rather than a single site) to the quantum operation position 318. In various embodiments, the cache transfer time is at most a defined ratio x (e.g., less than or equal to) of the storage transfer time (e.g., t c ≦xt s where 0 < x < 1). In various embodiments, the defined ratio x is 例如, 0.9, 0.8, 0.75, 比如, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.25, 0.2, 0.1, etc. For example, for the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the defined ratio x is 0.6. For example, for the cache confinement site 320C and the quantum operation position 318A, t c ≦0.2t s where. For the cache confinement site 320A and the quantum operation position 318A, t c ≦0.5t s where. For the cache confinement site 320I and the quantum operation position 318G, t c ≦0.1t s where.

[0076] Additionally, cache confinement sites 320 are configured to be controlled independently of storage areas 330 and data bus confinement passageways 310. For example, the potential of each of cache confinement sites 320 is controlled independently of the potential of storage areas 330 and / or data bus confinement passageways 310. This allows the quantum objects of each cache confinement site 320 to be kept close to quantum operation locations 318 while the quantum objects in storage areas 330 and / or data bus confinement passageways are rearranged (e.g., by parallel transfer operations). In various embodiments, independent control of the potentials and / or transfer operations performed at (and / or into or out of) cache confinement sites 320 allows for the timely transfer of quantum objects stored in storage areas 330 to quantum operation locations 318. In this manner, a hierarchy of storage locations for quantum objects exists, and quantum objects placed at cache confinement sites are sorted independently of quantum objects placed in storage areas and / or data bus confinement passageways.

[0077] For example, confinement device 300 is an elliptical or annular confinement device. Confinement device 300 is referred to as cyclic because, for example, quantum objects can be continuously circulated and / or transported around confinement device 300 (if so desired).

[0078] 4 shows another exemplary containment device 400. The containment device 400 includes a first data bus containment passage 410A and a second data bus containment passage 410B. Each of the first data bus containment passage 410A and the second data bus containment passage 410B extends from a circulating storage area 430C to the first storage area 430A and the second storage area 430B (represented by solid squares). In various embodiments, the circulating storage area 430C includes a storage bus containment passage 432 that allows quantum objects to be circulated and / or transported therearound in a circular and / or continuous manner (if so desired).

[0079] The first data bus confinement passage 410A and the second data bus confinement passage 410B are coupled to the circulatory storage area 430C such that quantum objects may be transferred between the first data bus confinement passage and the circulatory storage area 430C (or vice versa), and between the second data bus confinement passage and the circulatory storage area 430C (or vice versa). In an exemplary embodiment, quantum objects may be transferred directly from the first data bus confinement passage 410A to the second data bus confinement passage 410B (or vice versa).

[0080] The confinement device further includes a plurality of quantum operation locations 418 (e.g., 418A-418N represented by open circles) coupled to and / or accessible by the quantum objects via respective data bus confinement paths, first data bus confinement path 410A or second data bus confinement path 410B. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of quantum operation locations 418 are respectively disposed along respective data bus confinement paths, first data bus confinement path 410A and second data bus confinement path 410B. Each of the quantum operation locations 418 is configured to cause one or more quantum operations to be performed on one or more quantum objects located at that quantum operation location 418 (e.g., by application of one or more operating signals, magnetic field gradients, etc.).

[0081] Containment device 400 further includes a plurality of cache containment sites 420 (e.g., 420A-420J, represented by filled circles). In various embodiments, cache containment sites 420 are coupled to data bus containment paths 410 via junctions. For example, cache containment sites 420 are "dead-end" capture regions coupled to respective data bus containment paths 410 via junctions.

[0082] Each of the cache confinement sites 420 is located near at least one of the quantum operation locations 418. For example, the distance between the cache confinement site 420 and the at least one quantum operation location 418 is less than the distance between the at least one storage area 430 and the at least one quantum operation location 418. For example, the storage area 430 and the cache confinement site 420 form a memory hierarchy, and quantum objects located in the cache confinement site 420 are retrievable (e.g., can be transferred to the quantum operation location 418) on a faster timescale than quantum objects located in the storage area 430. Similarly, quantum objects can be transferred from the quantum operation location 418 to the cache confinement site 420 on a faster timescale than quantum objects can be transferred from the quantum operation location 418 to the storage area 430. Furthermore, by moving a quantum object from data bus confinement passageway 410 into cache confinement site 420 (e.g., while other quantum objects are transferred to storage area 430), a quantum object located at cache confinement site 420 may be reinserted into the bulk flow of quantum objects along data bus confinement passageway 410 at a relative quantum location that is advantageous for the operation to be performed, for example, adjacent to another quantum object with which the quantum object will be gated during the operation to be performed.

[0083] For example, the cache transfer time t c is the time required to transfer a quantum object from the cache confinement site 420 to the quantum operation location 418 (or vice versa). s is the time required to transfer a quantum object from the storage area 430 to the quantum operation location 418 (or vice versa). In various embodiments, the storage transfer time t sis the average time required to transfer from a quantum object storage area 430 (the storage area 430 may not be a single site, may include a storage bus confinement passage 432, and / or there may be multiple storage areas 430A, 430B, 430C) to a quantum computing position 418. In various embodiments, the cache transfer time is at most a defined ratio x (e.g., less than or equal to) of the storage transfer time (e.g., t c ≦xt s where 0 < x < 1). In various embodiments, the defined ratio x is 0.9, 0.8, 0.75, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.25, 0.2, 0.1, etc. In particular, the defined ratio x is less than 1. FIG. 5 shows at least a portion of another exemplary confinement device 500. The confinement device 500 includes a first data bus confinement passage 510A and a second data bus confinement passage 510B. Each of the first data bus confinement passage 510A and the second data bus confinement passage 510B extends between a first storage area 530A and a second storage area 530B. In the illustrated embodiment, the first storage area 530A and the second storage area 530B each include a grid of storage bus confinement passages 532.

[0084] The first data bus confinement passage 510A and the second data bus confinement passage 510B are coupled to the first storage area 530A and the second storage area 530B such that a quantum object may be transferred between the first data bus confinement passage 510A and the second data bus confinement passage 510B via the first storage area 530A and / or the second storage area 530B.

[0085] The confinement device further includes a plurality of quantum operation locations 518 (e.g., 518A-518N represented by open circles) coupled to and / or accessible by the quantum objects via respective data bus confinement paths of the first data bus confinement path 510A or the second data bus confinement path 510B. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of quantum operation locations 518 are respectively disposed along respective data bus confinement paths of the first data bus confinement path 510A and the second data bus confinement path 510B. Each of the quantum operation locations 518 is configured to cause one or more quantum operations (e.g., one or more one-qubit gates, two-qubit gates, read / detection operations, qubit initialization operations, cooling operations, etc.) to be performed on one or more quantum objects located at that quantum operation location 518 (e.g., by application of one or more operation signals, magnetic field gradients, etc.).

[0086] Containment device 500 further includes a plurality of cache containment sites 520 (e.g., 520A-520M, represented by filled circles). In various embodiments, cache containment sites 520 are coupled to data bus containment passages 510 via junctions. For example, cache containment sites 520 are "dead-end" capture areas coupled to respective data bus containment passages 510 via junctions. In the illustrated embodiment, cache containment sites 520 are disposed between data bus containment passages 510 and respective storage areas 530A, 530B.

[0087] Each of the cache confinement sites 520 is located near at least one of the quantum operation locations 518. For example, the distance between the cache confinement site 520 and the at least one quantum operation location 518 is less than the distance between the at least one storage area 530 and the at least one quantum operation location 518. For example, the storage area 530 and the cache confinement site 520 form a memory hierarchy, and quantum objects located in the cache confinement site 520 are retrievable (e.g., can be transferred to the quantum operation location 518) on a faster timescale than quantum objects located in the storage area 530. Similarly, quantum objects can be transferred from the quantum operation location 518 to the cache confinement site 520 on a faster timescale than it is to transfer the quantum objects between the quantum operation location 518 and the storage area 530.

[0088] Additionally, storage area 530, which may be larger than shown in various embodiments, may be configured to perform parallel transfer operations through the use of broadcast voltage signals (e.g., applied to at least some of the control electrodes of storage area confinement passages 532). Transfers within, into, and / or out of cache confinement sites 520 are controlled independently of transfer operations performed in storage area 530. Thus, quantum objects located within cache confinement sites are excluded from the larger flow of quantum objects in bulk storage area 530. This allows quantum objects located within cache confinement sites to maintain and / or preserve their proximity (and thus short transfer times) to quantum operation locations 518, as discussed in more detail herein, e.g., with respect to FIG. 9 .

[0089] For example, the cache transfer time t c is the time required to transfer a quantum object from the cache confinement site 520 to the quantum operation location 518 (or vice versa). sis the time required to transfer a quantum object from the storage area 530 to the quantum computing location 518 (or vice versa). In various embodiments, the storage transfer time t s is the average time required to transfer a quantum object from the storage area 530 to the quantum computing location 518. In various embodiments, the cache transfer time is at most a defined percentage x (e.g., less than or equal to) of the storage transfer time (e.g., t c ≤ xt s where 0 < x < 1). In various embodiments, the percentage x is 0.9, 0.8, 0.75, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.25, 0.2, 0.1, etc. In particular, the percentage x is less than 1. FIG. 6 shows at least a portion of another exemplary confinement device 600. The confinement device 600 includes a first data bus confinement passage 610A and second data bus confinement passages 610A, 610B. Each of the first data bus confinement passage 610A and the second data bus confinement passages 610B extends away from the circular storage area 630.

[0090] The circular storage area 630 includes a plurality of storage bus confinement passages 632 (e.g., storage bus confinement passages 632A, 632B) coupled to each other via respective junctions 634. The storage bus confinement passages 632 are coupled to each other such that a quantum object can be circulated around the circular storage area 630. In the illustrated embodiment, the storage bus confinement passages 632 are further coupled via the junctions 634 to sorting confinement sites 636 (e.g., 636A, 636B shown as filled diamonds). In various embodiments, one or more quantum objects may be transferred to the sorting confinement site(s) 636 when the quantum object(s) are being circulated around the circular storage area 630. For example, the sorting confinement site(s) 636 may be used to efficiently sort the quantum objects disposed within the circular storage area 630, an example of which is shown in FIGS. 9A through 9D.

[0091] The first data bus confinement passage 610A and the second data bus confinement passage 610B are coupled to the circulatory storage area 630 such that quantum objects may be transferred between the first data bus confinement passage 610A and the circulatory storage area 630 (or vice versa), and between the second data bus confinement passage 610B and the circulatory storage area 630 (or vice versa). In an exemplary embodiment, quantum objects may be transferred directly from the first data bus confinement passage 610A to the second data bus confinement passage 610B (or vice versa).

[0092] The confinement device further includes a plurality of quantum operation locations 618 (represented by open circles) coupled to and / or accessible by the quantum objects via respective data bus confinement paths, first data bus confinement path 610A or second data bus confinement path 610B. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of quantum operation locations 618 are respectively disposed along respective data bus confinement paths, first data bus confinement path 610A and second data bus confinement path 610B. Each of the quantum operation locations 618 is configured to cause one or more quantum operations (e.g., one or more one-qubit gates, two-qubit gates, read / detect operations, qubit initialization operations, cooling operations, etc.) to be performed on one or more quantum objects located at that quantum operation location 618 (e.g., by application of one or more operation signals, magnetic field gradients, etc.).

[0093] 6, in an exemplary embodiment, containment device 600 further includes a plurality of cache containment sites. For example, the cache containment sites may be coupled to data bus containment passages 610 via junctions. For example, the cache containment sites may be "dead-end" capture regions coupled to respective data bus containment passages 610 via junctions.

[0094] 7 illustrates at least a portion of another exemplary containment device 700. The containment device 700 includes a first data bus containment passage 710A and a second data bus containment passage 710B. Each of the first data bus containment passage 710A and the second data bus containment passage 710B extends away from a storage area 730.

[0095] Storage area 730 includes a plurality of storage bus confinement corridors 732 coupled to one another via respective junctions. The storage bus confinement corridors 732 are coupled to one another such that quantum objects may be transferred between various of the storage bus confinement corridors. In various embodiments, at least one storage bus confinement corridor 732 is coupled to a sort confinement site 736 (represented as a solid diamond) via at least one junction. In various embodiments, the sort confinement site 736 may be used to simplify sorting operations being performed within storage area 730. For example, the sort confinement site 736 may be used to efficiently sort quantum objects placed within storage area 730.

[0096] The first data bus confinement passage 710A and the second data bus confinement passage 710B are coupled to the storage area 730 such that quantum objects may be transferred between the first data bus confinement passage 710A and the storage area 730 (or vice versa), and between the second data bus confinement passage 710B and the storage area 730 (or vice versa). In an exemplary embodiment, quantum objects may be transferred directly from the first data bus confinement passage 710A to the second data bus confinement passage 710B (or vice versa).

[0097] The confinement device further includes a plurality of quantum operation locations 718 (represented by open circles) coupled to and / or accessible by the quantum objects via respective data bus confinement paths, first data bus confinement path 710A or second data bus confinement path 710B. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of quantum operation locations 718 are respectively disposed along respective data bus confinement paths, first data bus confinement path 710A and second data bus confinement path 710B. Each of the quantum operation locations 718 is configured to cause one or more quantum operations (e.g., one or more one-qubit gates, two-qubit gates, read / detect operations, qubit initialization operations, cooling operations, etc.) to be performed on one or more quantum objects located at that quantum operation location 718 (e.g., by application of one or more operation signals, magnetic field gradients, etc.).

[0098] Containment device 700 further includes a plurality of cache containment sites 720 (represented by filled circles). In various embodiments, cache containment sites 720 are coupled to data bus containment passages 710 via junctions. For example, cache containment sites 720 are "dead-end" capture areas coupled to respective data bus containment passages 710 via junctions. In the illustrated embodiment, cache containment sites 720 are disposed between data bus containment passages 710 and storage areas 730.

[0099] Each of the cache confinement sites 720 is positioned near at least one of the quantum operation locations 718 (or closer to at least one of the quantum operation locations 718 than to the storage area 730). For example, the distance between the cache confinement site 720 and the at least one quantum operation location 718 is less than the distance between the at least one storage area 730 and the at least one quantum operation location 718.

[0100] For example, the storage area 730 and the cache confinement site 720 form a memory hierarchy, and the quantum objects located at the cache confinement site 720 can be retrieved on a faster time scale than the quantum objects located within the storage area 730 (e.g., they can be transferred to the quantum computing location 718). Similarly, quantum objects can be transferred from the quantum computing location 718 to the cache confinement site 720 on a faster time scale than transferring the quantum objects from the quantum computing location 718 to the storage area 730.

[0101] For example, the cache transfer time t c is the time required to transfer a quantum object from the cache confinement site 720 to the quantum computing location 718 (or vice versa). The storage transfer time t s is the time required to transfer a quantum object from the storage area 730 to the quantum computing location 718 (or vice versa). In various embodiments, the storage transfer time t s is the average time required to transfer a quantum object from the storage area 730 to the quantum computing location 718. In various embodiments, the cache transfer time is at most a defined ratio x (e.g., less than or equal to) of the storage transfer time (e.g., t c ≦xt s where 0 < x < 1). In various embodiments, the defined ratio x is 0.9, 0.8, 0.75, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.25, 0.2, 0.1, etc. In particular, the defined ratio x is less than 1. The illustrated embodiments of the confinement devices 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 include two data bus confinement channels, but various embodiments may include one data bus confinement channel and / or three or more data bus confinement channels. For example, the number and layout of the data bus confinement channels of the confinement device, the placement of the quantum computing locations, the placement of the cache confinement sites, etc. may be configured based at least in part on the type of experiments and / or calculations to be performed using the confinement device, the number of qubits available for performing the experiments and / or calculations, etc.

[0102] [Example operation of a system including a containment device] In various embodiments, a confinement device is used to confine one or more quantum objects and perform quantum operations on the quantum objects, the confinement device including a data bus confinement passageway coupled to and / or providing access to the quantum operation location. In various embodiments, the confinement device includes one or more cache and / or sort confinement sites used to simplify transfer operations and / or store particular quantum objects closer to the quantum operation location (e.g., compared to a storage area of ​​the confinement device).

[0103] 8 provides a flowchart illustrating various processes, procedures, etc. for performing a quantum operation using quantum objects that are placed in a cache confinement site prior to performance of the quantum operation and then returned to the same or a different cache confinement site after performance of the quantum operation. As should be understood, in various embodiments, the quantum operation may be performed using quantum objects that are placed in a cache confinement site prior to performance of the quantum operation but are not returned to the cache confinement site after performance of the quantum operation, or using quantum objects that are not placed in a cache confinement site prior to performance of the quantum operation but are moved to the cache confinement site after performance of the quantum operation. In various embodiments, the processes, procedures, etc. illustrated in FIG. 8 are performed by a controller of a system that includes the confinement device, such as, for example, controller 30 of FIG. 10.

[0104] Beginning at step / operation 802, controller 30 determines that a quantum operation is to be performed on a first quantum object at a first quantum operation location. In various embodiments, controller 30 is configured to execute (e.g., by its semiconductor-based processing device) one or more queues of executable instructions. In exemplary embodiments, controller 30 identifies and / or determines that a quantum operation is to be performed on a first quantum object by monitoring at least one of the one or more queues and / or in response to scheduling the execution of the quantum operation. Although the first quantum object is referred to herein in the singular, the first quantum object may be multiple quantum objects (e.g., two or more quantum objects).

[0105] For example, controller 30 may be configured to execute a quantum program and / or circuit that indicates which quantum operations should be performed on which quantum objects and in what order. Controller 30 may process the quantum program and / or circuit and, based thereon, schedule the execution of one or more sequences of executable instructions to form at least a portion of one or more queues. For example, a first queue may be executable by a driver controller element configured to control the operation of first manipulation source 64A. A second queue includes executable instructions configured to be executed by a driver controller element configured to control the operation of one or more of voltage sources 50, for example. Thus, by monitoring one or more queues, by monitoring the quantum program and / or circuit, and / or in response to scheduling the execution of quantum operations for one or more queues (e.g., scheduling executable instructions for controlling the operation of one or more manipulation sources 64 and / or one or more voltage sources 50 to cause execution), controller 30 determines that a quantum operation should be performed on a first quantum object at a first quantum operation location.

[0106] In exemplary embodiments, the quantum program and / or circuit and / or executable instructions include a qubit identifier configured to identify the first quantum object such that controller 30 determines that a quantum operation should be performed on the first quantum object. In various scenarios, a quantum operation may be performed on multiple quantum objects at each quantum operation location and / or at the first quantum operation location. For example, the quantum operation may be a two-qubit gate configured to entangle the first quantum object with another quantum object. In another example, the quantum operation may be a one-qubit gate, a qubit initialization operation, a qubit readout / detection operation, etc., performed in parallel at multiple quantum operation locations.

[0107] In step / operation 804, controller 30 determines that a first quantum object is currently located at a first cache confinement site. For example, controller 30 includes a classical (e.g., semiconductor-based) memory that stores a classical qubit record for each qubit of a quantum program and / or circuit. The classical qubit record, in various embodiments, indicates the originating location of each quantum object. The classical qubit record, in various embodiments, may include various other information about each quantum object (e.g., phase accumulation, etc.).

[0108] Controller 30 identifies a classical qubit record corresponding to the first quantum object (e.g., a classical qubit record indexed by a qubit identifier configured to identify the first quantum object) and extracts, reads, accesses, etc., the originating location of the first quantum object from the classical qubit record. In the example provided by Figure 8, the first quantum object is located at a first cache confinement site.

[0109] In step / operation 806, controller 30 causes the transfer of the first quantum object from the first cache confinement site to the first quantum operation location. For example, controller 30 may schedule one or more executable instructions to be executed by a controller driver element configured to control operation of voltage source 50 to apply a voltage signal to control electrode 216 such that the potential of the confinement device causes the first quantum object to be transferred from the first cache confinement site to the first quantum operation location.

[0110] As should be appreciated, the distance between the first cache confinement site and the first quantum operation location is less than the distance between the storage area of ​​the confinement device and the first quantum operation location, and therefore the transfer time for transferring the first quantum object from the first cache confinement site to the first quantum operation location is less than the transfer time for transferring the first quantum object from the storage area to the first quantum operation location.

[0111] In step / operation 808, controller 30 causes a quantum operation to be performed on a first quantum object at a first quantum operation location. For example, controller 30 may control one or more manipulation sources 64 to apply one or more manipulation signals to the first quantum object (and possibly other quantum objects) located at the first quantum operation location to cause the first quantum object to perform a quantum operation. In another example, controller 30 controls one or more magnetic field generators 70 to cause the first quantum object (and possibly other quantum objects) located at the first quantum operation location to experience a magnetic field gradient to cause the first quantum object to perform a quantum operation.

[0112] In step / operation 810, controller 30 determines a destination location for the first quantum object. In some cases, controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be transferred from the first quantum operation location to a first cache confinement site. For example, controller 30 may determine whether, after a quantum operation at the first quantum operation location, (a) the first quantum object should be maintained at the first quantum operation location, (b) the first quantum object should be transferred to a second / different quantum operation location, (c) the first quantum object should be transferred to a cache confinement site (selected by controller 30), or (d) the first quantum object should be transferred to a storage area. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the destination location is selected from the group including: (a) the first quantum operation location, (b) the second / different quantum operation location, (c) the identified and / or selected cache confinement site, and (d) the storage area.

[0113] In response to a determination by controller 30 (e.g., based on a quantum program and / or circuit) that the next quantum operation to be performed at the first quantum operation location (e.g., a one-qubit or two-qubit quantum logic gate performed on the first quantum object, re-initialization of the first quantum object, reading / detecting the quantum state of the first quantum object) should be performed on the first quantum object, controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be maintained at the first quantum operation location.

[0114] In response to a determination by controller 30 (e.g., based on a quantum program and / or circuit) that the next quantum operation to be performed at a second / different quantum operation location should be performed on the first quantum object (e.g., a one-qubit or two-qubit quantum logic gate performed on the first quantum object, re-initializing the first quantum object, reading / detecting the quantum state of the first quantum object), controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be transported to the second / different quantum operation location.

[0115] In response to a determination by controller 30 (e.g., based on a quantum program and / or circuit) that a quantum operation should be performed on a first quantum object within a particular time period and for a particular number of quantum operations, controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be transported to a cache confinement site. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller determines that the first quantum object should be transported to a cache confinement site in response to determining that the first quantum object has at least a specified rank, the specified rank indicating the order in which the quantum object is next required in the execution of a quantum program and / or cycle. For example, if the next 10 quantum operations to be performed are to be performed on a second quantum object and a third quantum object, respectively, and the 11th quantum operation is to be performed on the first quantum object, the first quantum object will be associated with a rank that indicates that the first quantum object will be used in the execution of the quantum program and / or circuit before use of a quantum object that will not be used until the 12th quantum operation or later.

[0116] In various embodiments, determining whether the first quantum object should be transferred to a cache confinement site includes determining, by controller 30, based on information corresponding to cache confinement site usage stored in classical memory of controller 30, whether a cache confinement site near the first quantum operation location or the second quantum operation location where the first quantum object will next be used is available (e.g., unoccupied by a quantum object, occupied with less than a maximum number of quantum objects, etc.). For example, if the first quantum operation location is quantum operation location 318A of confinement device 300 and the second quantum operation location where the first quantum object will be used is also accessible via first data bus confinement passage 310A, controller 30 determines whether any of cache confinement sites 320 are available. In exemplary embodiments, controller 30 only determines whether any of cache confinement sites 320 accessible via the same data bus confinement passage as first quantum operation location 318A and / or the second quantum operation location are available. For example, in this example, the controller may only determine whether any of cache containment sites 320A-320H (accessible via first data bus containment path 310A) are available, and may not check the availability of cache containment sites 320I, 320J (accessible via second data bus containment path 310B).

[0117] Based at least in part on the determined availability of the cache confinement site, the first quantum operation location, and / or the second quantum operation location, the controller 30 identifies and / or selects a cache confinement site to which the first quantum object should be transferred.

[0118] In response to a determination by controller 30 (e.g., based on the quantum program and / or circuitry) that a quantum operation should not be performed on a first quantum object within a particular time period and for a particular number of quantum operations, controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be transferred to a storage area. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller determines that the first quantum object should be transferred to a storage area in response to a determination that the first quantum object does not have at least a designated rank, the designated rank indicating the order in which the quantum object is next required in the execution of a quantum program and / or cycle. In an exemplary embodiment, controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be transferred to a storage area in response to a determination that a suitable cache confinement site is not available (e.g., a cache confinement site accessible via the same data bus confinement path as the first quantum operation location and / or the next quantum operation location is not available).

[0119] In step / operation 812, controller 30 transports the first quantum object to a destination location for the first quantum object. For example, if controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be transported to a specified and / or selected cache confinement site, controller 30 transports the first quantum object to the specified and / or selected cache confinement site. If controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be transported to a second quantum operation location or to a storage area, controller 30 transports the first quantum object to either the second quantum operation location or the storage area. If controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be maintained at the first quantum operation location, controller 30 causes the first quantum object to remain at the first quantum operation location.

[0120] For example, controller 30 may schedule one or more executable instructions to be executed by a controller driver element configured to control operation of voltage source 50 to apply a voltage signal to control electrode 216 such that the potential of the confinement device causes the first quantum object to be transported to a destination location determined for the first quantum object. For example, the voltage signal applied to control electrode 216 may cause the first quantum object to remain at the first quantum operation location or to be transported to one of a second quantum operation location, a specified and / or selected cache confinement site, or a storage area.

[0121] For example, in various embodiments, quantum objects are stored and / or maintained in a cache confinement site between quantum operations performed on the quantum objects. In various embodiments, quantum objects are stored and / or maintained in a cache confinement site between successive quantum operations performed on the quantum objects when the time between successive quantum operations performed on the quantum objects meets certain criteria, when the locations at which successive quantum operations on the quantum objects are performed meet certain criteria (e.g., the first and second quantum operation locations are accessible via the same data bus confinement passageway), and / or when other specified criteria are met. As used herein, the term "successive quantum operations performed on quantum objects" refers to successive quantum operations from the perspective of the quantum objects; between successive quantum operations performed on the quantum objects, there may or may not be other quantum operations performed on other quantum objects according to a quantum program and / or circuit.

[0122] As should be understood, the distance between the identified and / or selected cache confinement site and the first quantum operation location and / or the second quantum operation location is shorter than the distance between the storage area of ​​the confinement device and the first quantum operation location and / or the second quantum operation location, and therefore the transfer time for transporting the first quantum object from the first quantum operation location to the identified and / or selected cache confinement site and / or from the identified and / or selected cache confinement site to the second quantum operation location is shorter than the transfer time for transporting the first quantum object from the first quantum operation location to the storage area and / or from the storage area to the second quantum operation location.

[0123] 9 provides a flowchart illustrating various processes, procedures, etc., executed by controller 30 to perform a sorting operation using a sorting confinement site. In various embodiments, the sorting confinement site of a confinement device includes one or more dedicated sorting confinement sites (e.g., sorting confinement sites 636, 736 of confinement devices 600, 700, respectively) located within a storage area. In various embodiments, a cache confinement site of a confinement device is also used as a sorting confinement site. For example, a cache confinement site may be used by controller 30 as a sorting confinement site when the cache confinement site is not occupied by quantum objects, is occupied with less than the maximum number of quantum objects, etc.

[0124] Beginning at step / operation 902, controller 30 determines that a first quantum object should be transferred from a source location to a destination location. For example, controller 30 processes a quantum program and / or circuit and / or monitors one or more queues of executable instructions and, based thereon, determines that a first quantum object should be transferred from a source location to a destination location. For example, the quantum program and / or circuit may indicate a destination location for the first quantum object, and a quantum object record stored in classical memory of controller 30 and indexed by a quantum object identifier configured to uniquely identify the first quantum object may indicate the source location of the first quantum object. In various embodiments, the quantum program and / or circuit indicates a time (e.g., a clock time or a particular clock cycle of quantum processor 115) at which transfer of the quantum object from the source location to the destination location should begin and / or be completed.

[0125] In various embodiments, the controller 30 also determines a transfer path from the source location to the destination location. In an exemplary embodiment, the transfer path is the shortest path between the source location and the destination location along the capture region of the containment device.

[0126] In step / operation 904, controller 30 identifies one or more available sorting confinement sites accessible via a transfer path from the source location to the destination location or from a confinement path (e.g., a storage confinement path, a storage bus confinement path, and / or a data bus confinement path) that at least partially overlaps with at least a portion of the transfer path from the source location to the destination location. For example, the transfer path from the source location to the destination location may include traveling along a particular confinement path (e.g., a storage confinement path and / or a data bus confinement path) in a first direction from the source location. The identified one or more available sorting confinement sites may include one or more confinement sites accessible via a particular confinement path in the first direction or in an opposite second direction from the source location of the first quantum object.

[0127] The controller 30 selects a sorting confinement site from the identified one or more available sorting confinement sites based at least in part on one or more of the respective locations of the identified one or more available sorting confinement sites, the number and / or locations of other quantum objects along the transport path and / or on one or more confinement passages that at least partially overlap with at least a portion of the transport path, and possibly other selection criteria.

[0128] In step / operation 906, controller 30 causes the first quantum object to be transferred from its source location to the selected sorting confinement site. For example, controller 30 may schedule one or more executable instructions to be executed by a controller driver element configured to control operation of voltage source 50 to apply a voltage signal to control electrode 216 such that the potential of the confinement device causes the first quantum object to be transferred from its source location to the selected sorting confinement site.

[0129] 9A shows a plurality of quantum objects 5 (e.g., 5A, 5B shown as filled-in circles with a pattern) disposed on a first storage confinement passageway 632A and a third storage confinement passageway 632C prior to performance of step / operation 906. A first quantum object 5A and two second quantum objects 5B are disposed along the first storage confinement passageway 632A. In the illustrated example, several additional quantum objects are disposed along the third storage confinement passageway 632C.

[0130] For example, a first quantum object 5A is located at a source location 912 along a first storage confinement passageway 632A. The destination location is not shown, but the direction to that destination location is indicated by an arrow labeled 914, and thus the dashed line represents part of a transfer path 916. The dashed line is shown separated from the first storage confinement passageway 632A in order to make it visible in the drawing.

[0131] 9B shows the plurality of quantum objects after performance of step / operation 906. For example, a first quantum object 5A has been transferred from its source location 912 to the selected sorting confinement site 636B.

[0132] 9A and 9B, in step / operation 908, controller 30 causes one or more second quantum objects 5B to be transported past the selected sorting confinement site. For example, controller 30 may schedule one or more executable instructions to be executed by a controller driver element configured to control operation of voltage source 50 to apply a voltage signal to control electrode 216 such that the potential of the confinement device causes the one or more second quantum objects 5B to be transported past the selected sorting confinement site 636B. For example, second quantum objects 5B include quantum objects that are positioned along transport path 916 prior to performance of step / operation 908.

[0133] 9C shows a plurality of quantum objects after performance of step / operation 908. The second quantum object 5B, previously positioned along the transfer path 916, has been transferred from the first storage confinement passageway 632A, past the selected sorting confinement site 636B, to the second storage confinement passageway 632B; therefore, as a result of performance of step / operation 908, the second quantum object 5B is no longer positioned along the transfer path 916 (and is no longer positioned between the selected sorting confinement site 636B and the transfer path 916).

[0134] In various embodiments, transporting the one or more second quantum entities past the selected sorting confinement site includes transporting the one or more second quantum entities from a first side of the sorting confinement site to a second side of the sorting confinement site. For example, in Figure 9B, the one or more second quantum entities are located on the right side (first side) of the selected sorting confinement site 636B, and in Figure 9C, the one or more second quantum entities have been transported past the selected sorting confinement site 636B and are located on the left side (second side) of the selected sorting confinement site 636B.

[0135] Continuing with Figure 9, in step / operation 910, controller 30 causes a first quantum object 5A to be transferred from the selected sorting confinement site 636B to a destination location 914. For example, controller 30 may schedule one or more executable instructions to be executed by a controller driver element configured to control operation of voltage source 50 to apply a voltage signal to control electrode 216 such that the potential of the confinement device causes the first quantum object 5A to be transferred from the selected sorting confinement site 636B to the destination location 914. In an exemplary embodiment, the first quantum object 5A is transferred from the selected sorting confinement site 636B to the destination location 914 at least partially along transfer path 916.

[0136] 9D illustrates the performance of step / operation 910 in which a first quantum object 5A is being transferred from a selected sorting confinement site 636B along a transfer path 916 toward a destination location 914. In various embodiments, the destination location is a cache confinement site, a quantum operation location, a location along a data bus confinement path, or other location defined at least in part by the confinement device.

[0137] The use of a sorting confinement site to perform the transfer operation prevents the execution of a sorting or swap operation between the first quantum object 5A and each second quantum object 5B. During a sorting or swap operation, the quantum objects involved in the sorting or swap operation are removed from the radio frequency (RF) null of the confinement path along which the quantum objects reside. This results in increased heating of the quantum objects involved in the sorting or step operation, which may reduce the fidelity with which the quantum information stored by the quantum states of the quantum objects is maintained. Furthermore, performing a sorting or swap operation takes more time than simply transporting the quantum objects along their respective confinement paths. Therefore, the use of a sorting confinement site to perform the transfer operation reduces the heating of the quantum objects, increases the fidelity with which the quantum information stored by the quantum states of the quantum objects is maintained, and reduces the amount of time required to perform the routing and sorting operations.

[0138] [Technical advantages] In conventional quantum object confinement devices that include data bus confinement passageways or similar one-dimensional trapping regions used to transport quantum objects into and / or out of quantum operation locations accessible through respective one-dimensional trapping regions, transporting quantum objects from a storage area to a quantum operation location can take a significant amount of time. For example, performing transport operations to transport quantum objects throughout the execution of a quantum program and / or circuit may take significantly more time than performing quantum operations (e.g., one-qubit and / or two-qubit quantum logic gates, etc.). For example, a non-negligible fraction of the coherence time of the quantum object's quantum state may be used to transport the quantum object between locations in the confinement device. Transporting the quantum object may also cause undesirable heating of the quantum object.

[0139] Furthermore, when multiple quantum objects are confined by a confinement device, rearranging and / or swapping the positions of the quantum objects within the one-dimensional confinement region may require a large number of swapping and / or sorting operations to properly sort the quantum objects. These swapping and / or sorting operations may also be time-consuming and may lead to further undesirable heating of the quantum objects. Thus, technical problems exist regarding the efficient routing and sorting of quantum objects confined by a quantum object confinement device.

[0140] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide technical solutions to these technical problems. Various embodiments provide a confinement device and / or a system including the confinement device, including one or more data bus confinement passages and one or more cache confinement sites and / or sort confinement sites. Each of the one or more data bus confinement passages contains one or more quantum objects to be transferred into and / or out of one or more quantum operation locations and / or allows one or more quantum objects to be transferred into and / or out of one or more quantum operation locations. Each of the cache confinement sites is coupled to a respective data bus confinement passage such that quantum objects may be transferred from the respective data bus confinement passage to the cache confinement site and / or from the cache confinement site to the data bus confinement passage. The cache confinement sites allow quantum objects to be stored near the quantum operation locations such that they may be transferred between the quantum operation locations and the cache confinement site (or vice versa) more quickly and with reduced heating (compared to transfer operations over longer distances). Moreover, in various embodiments, the cache confinement sites are configured for high fidelity data storage (e.g., configured to reduce the ability of stray fields to interact with and / or perturb the quantum states of quantum objects disposed in the cache confinement sites). Accordingly, various embodiments provide improvements to the field of confinement devices and methods relating to and / or including transport quantum objects confined by the confinement devices.

[0141] [Example Controller] Various embodiments provide systems including confinement devices 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700. In exemplary embodiments, the system is a quantum charge-coupled device (QCCD-based) quantum computer 110 or other quantum computer. In various embodiments, the system (e.g., quantum computer 110) further includes a controller 30 configured to control various elements of the system. For example, controller 30 may be configured to control a voltage source 50 configured to manipulate and / or cause the controlled evolution of the quantum states of one or more quantum objects confined by the confinement device and / or to read and / or detect the quantum states of one or more quantum objects confined by the confinement device, a cryogenic system and / or a vacuum system for controlling the temperature and pressure within cryogenic and / or vacuum chamber 40, manipulation sources 64 (e.g., 64A, 64B, 64C), magnetic field generators 70 (e.g., 70A, 70B), and / or other systems that control environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, pressure, magnetic field gradients, etc.) within cryogenic and / or vacuum chamber 40.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 10 , in various embodiments, the controller 30 may include various controller elements, including one or more processing devices 1005, memory 1010, driver controller element 1015, communication interface 1020, analog-to-digital converter 1025, etc. For example, the one or more processing devices 1005 may include one or more processing elements, such as a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a microprocessor, a coprocessing entity, an application-specific instruction-set processor (ASIP), an integrated circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), a hardware accelerator, or other processing device and / or circuit. The term circuit may refer to an entirely hardware embodiment or a combination of hardware and a computer program product. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more processing devices 1005 of the controller 30 include and / or communicate with a clock. In various embodiments, this clock defines the clock cycle of the system.

[0143] For example, the memory 1010 may be a hard disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a flash memory, an MMC (Multi Media Card), an SD memory card, a memory stick, a CBRAM (Conductive Bridge Random Access Memory), a PRAM (Parameter Random Access Memory), a FeRAM (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory), a RRAM (Resistive Random Access Memory), a SONOS (Silicon Oxide Nitride Oxide Semiconductor), a racetrack memory, a RAM, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a FPM DRAM (Fast Page Mode DRAM), an EDO DRAM (Extended Data Out DRAM), an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a DDR SDRAM (Double-Data-Rate SDRAM), a DDR2 It may include non-transitory memory such as one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memory storage of Double-Data-Rate 2 SDRAM (SDRAM), Double-Data-Rate 3 SDRAM (DDR3 SDRAM), Rambus DRAM (RDRAM), Rambus Inline Memory Module (RIMM), Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM), Single Inline Memory Module (SIMM), Video Random Access Memory (VRAM), cache memory, register memory, etc.In various embodiments, memory 1010 may store qubit records corresponding to qubits of the quantum computer (e.g., in a qubit record data store, a qubit record database, a qubit record table, etc.), calibration tables, executable cues, computer program code (e.g., in one or more computer languages, specialized controller languages, etc.), etc. In exemplary embodiments, execution of at least a portion of the computer program code stored in memory 1010 (e.g., by processing device 1005) causes controller 30 to perform one or more steps, operations, processes, procedures, etc. described herein for controlling one or more components of quantum computer 110 (e.g., voltage source 50, manipulation source 64, magnetic field generator 70, etc.) to cause a controlled evolution of the quantum state of one or more quantum objects, detect and / or read the quantum state of one or more quantum objects, etc.

[0144] In various embodiments, the driver controller element 1015 may include one or more drivers and / or controller elements each configured to control one or more drivers. In various embodiments, the driver controller element 1015 may include a driver and / or a driver controller. For example, a driver controller may be configured to operate one or more corresponding drivers according to executable instructions, commands, etc. scheduled and executed by the controller 30 (e.g., by the processing device 1005). In various embodiments, the driver controller element 1015 may enable the controller 30 to operate the operation source 64. In various embodiments, the driver may be a laser driver, a vacuum component driver, a driver for controlling the flow of current and / or voltage applied to RF, control, and / or other electrodes (e.g., shim electrodes, etc.) used to maintain and / or control the containment potential of the containment device (and / or other drivers for providing driver action sequences and / or control signals to potential-generating elements of the containment device), a cryogenic and / or vacuum system component driver, etc. For example, the driver may control and / or include a control and / or RF voltage driver and / or voltage source that provides voltage and / or electrical signals to the control electrode 216 and / or the RF electrodes 212, 222. In various embodiments, the controller 30 includes means for transmitting and / or receiving signals from one or more detectors, such as light receiver components (e.g., cameras, MEMs cameras, CCD cameras, photodiodes, photomultiplier tubes, etc.) of the light collection system 80. For example, the controller 30 may include one or more analog-to-digital converters 1025 configured to receive signals from one or more detectors, light receiver components, calibration sensors, etc.

[0145] In various embodiments, controller 30 may include a communications interface 1020 for interfacing and / or communicating with one or more computing entities 10. For example, controller 30 may include a communications interface 1020 for receiving executable instructions, command sets, etc. from computing entity 10, and for providing output received from quantum processor 115 (e.g., via light collection system 80) and / or results of processing output (received from quantum processor 115) to computing entity 10. In various embodiments, computing entity 10 and controller 30 may communicate via a direct wired and / or wireless connection and / or one or more wired and / or wireless networks 20.

[0146] Exemplary Computing Entities 11 provides an explanatory schematic diagram depicting an exemplary computing entity 10 that may be used in conjunction with embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, computing entity 10 is configured to allow a user (e.g., via a user interface of computing entity 10) to provide input to quantum computer 110 and receive, display, analyze, etc. output from quantum computer 110.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 11, the computing entity 10 may include an antenna 1112, a (e.g., radio) transmitter 1104, a (e.g., radio) receiver 1106, and a processing device 1108 that provides signals to the transmitter 1104 and receives signals from the receiver 1106.

[0148] The signals provided to transmitter 1104 and received from receiver 1106, respectively, may include signaling information / data according to an applicable wireless system air interface standard for communicating with various entities, such as controller 30, other computing entities 10, etc. In this regard, computing entities 10 may be capable of operating using one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types. For example, computing entities 10 may be configured to receive and / or provide communications using a wired data transmission protocol, such as Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Ethernet, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay, Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS), or any other wired transmission protocol.Similarly, the computing entity 10 may be configured to support a variety of standards, including General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), CDMA2000 1X (1xRTT), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), and other standards. The device may be configured to communicate over a wireless external communications network using any of a variety of protocols, such as IEEE 802.11 (wi-fi), wi-fi Direct, 802.16 (WiMAX), Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), Infrared Radiation (IR) protocol, Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol, Wibree, Bluetooth protocol, Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and / or any other wireless protocol.The computing entity 10 may use such protocols and standards to communicate with various protocols and standards, including Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Domain Name System (DNS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), HTTP over TLS / SSL / Secure, Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), Network Time Protocol (NTP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Telnet, Transport Layer Security (TLS), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Datagram Congestion Control Protocol (DCCP), Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP), and the like. The communication may be performed using the Internet Protocol (IP), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), or the like.

[0149] These communication standards and protocols enable computing entity 10 to communicate with various other entities using concepts such as Unstructured Supplementary Service information / data (USSD), Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency Signaling (DTMF), and / or Subscriber Identity Module Dialer (SIM Dialer). Computing entity 10 may also download modifications, add-ons, and updates to its firmware, software (e.g., including executable instructions, applications, program modules), and operating system. In various embodiments, computing entity 10 further includes one or more network interfaces 1120 configured to communicate over one or more wired and / or wireless networks 20.

[0150] Computing entity 10 may also include user interface devices including one or more user input / output interfaces (e.g., a display 1116 and / or speakers / speaker drivers coupled to processing device 1108, as well as a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, and / or microphone coupled to processing device 1108). For example, the user output interface may be configured to provide applications, browsers, user interfaces, interfaces, dashboards, screens, web pages, pages, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein running on and / or accessible via computing entity 10 for causing a display or audible presentation of information / data and for interaction with that information / data via one or more user input interfaces. The user input interface may include any of a number of devices that enable computing entity 10 to receive data, such as a keypad 1118 (hard or soft), a touch display, a voice / speech or motion interface, a scanner, a reader, or other input device. In embodiments that include a keypad 1118, the keypad 1118 may include (or cause the display of) conventional numeric keys (0-9) and related keys (#, *), as well as other keys used to operate computing entity 10, and may include a full set of alphabetic keys or a set of keys that may be actuated to provide a full set of alphanumeric keys. In addition to providing input, the user input interface may be used to activate or deactivate certain features, such as, for example, a screen saver and / or sleep mode. Through such input, computing entity 10 may collect information / data, user interaction / input, etc.

[0151] Computing entity 10 may also include volatile storage or memory 1122 and / or non-volatile storage or memory 1124, which may be embedded and / or removable. For example, non-volatile memory may be ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMC, SD memory card, memory stick, CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, RRAM, SONOS, racetrack memory, etc. Volatile memory may be RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory, registered memory, etc. Volatile and non-volatile storage or memory may store databases, database instances, database management system entities, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, etc. for implementing the functionality of computing entity 10.

[0152] As noted above, exemplary containment devices of embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more circulating storage areas. Such circulating storage areas include storage bus containment aisles arranged in a closed or continuous path to allow quantum objects to be circulated and / or transported therearound in a circular and / or continuous manner (if so desired). In some embodiments, quantum objects can be transported around the circulating storage area in either of two opposing directions.

[0153] The closed path of such a circular storage area, when combined with one or more junctions, allows ions to be arbitrarily sorted to perform arbitrary quantum circuits without requiring logical swapping of information between qubits. Ion sorting can be performed in such a trap by rotating all ions in unison along the circular storage area until the first ion needed for an operation can be selected by the junction. The ions in the circular storage area can then rotate in unison again along the circular storage area until the next ion needed for the operation can be selected by the junction. The operation continues until all ions for that circuit step have been operated on. In some embodiments, the ions can then be returned to the circular storage area and sorted for the next circuit step. This is repeated until the quantum circuit is completed.

[0154] Sorting quantum objects using such a circulating storage area provides higher storage density, improved sorting speed, smaller required RF trap capacitance, and a reduced number of electrodes compared to other known quantum object storage mechanisms.

[0155] Such rotating storage areas may have any suitable closed or continuous shape, including, but not limited to, circular, oval, elliptical, square (with sharp or rounded corners), or rectangular (with sharp or rounded corners).

[0156] The inherent rotational symmetry of such a circulatory storage area allows ions in such a circulatory storage area to be moved in unison when the same voltage signal is broadcast to all of the electrodes in the circulatory storage area, thereby significantly reducing the number of independent voltage signals required and simplifying the structure of the circulatory storage area. This reduction in the number of independent voltage signals required and the simplification of the structure of the circulatory storage area allow for a higher density of stored ions in the circulatory storage area. In exemplary embodiments, approximately 100 ions may be stored in a single circulatory storage area. Exemplary electrode designs for a circulatory storage area are further described below. In some embodiments, a first broadcast analog signal is applied to each of the control electrodes of the circulatory storage area to cause the transport of stored ions in a first direction, while a second broadcast analog signal is applied to each of the control electrodes of the circulatory storage area to cause the transport of stored ions in a second direction opposite the first direction. The process of broadcasting signals to multiple electrodes in a circular arrangement is further described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 379,040, filed October 11, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0157] An exemplary containment device of an embodiment of the present disclosure may include one or more circulating storage areas coupled to one or more data bus containment passages via one or more junctions such that one or more quantum objects may be transferred from one or more data bus containment passages to one or more respective circulating storage areas (sometimes referred to as circulating storage bus containment passages) and from one or more circulating storage areas to one or more respective data bus containment passages.

[0158] In an exemplary embodiment, a controller (such as, but not limited to, controller 30 of FIG. 1) controls voltage signals broadcast to electrodes of the circulatory storage area to cause transport of ions around the circulatory storage area. Similarly, a controller (such as, but not limited to, controller 30 of FIG. 1) tracks the label of each ion and the position of each labeled ion as the ions are transported around, into, and out of the circulatory storage area.

[0159] Referring now to FIG. 12 , a quantum object confinement device 1200 is shown. The quantum object confinement device 1200 includes a circular storage area 1205 coupled to a data bus confinement passageway 1210 via a junction 1215. A plurality of quantum objects (e.g., ions) 1220 are stored along the circular storage area 1205. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 12 , the circular storage area 1205 has a generally rectangular shape with curved corners, although any suitable (closed) shape may be used. The data bus confinement passageway 1210 has two quantum operation locations 1230A, 1230B (sometimes referred to as gating zones) defined thereon, although any suitable number of quantum operation locations may be defined thereon. In the embodiment of FIG. 12 , the data bus confinement passageway 1210 projects outward from the circular storage area 1205. In various alternative embodiments, the data bus containment aisle projects inwardly from the circulatory storage area (i.e., the data bus containment aisle is surrounded by the circulatory storage area). In an exemplary embodiment, the data bus containment aisle projects both outside and inside the circulatory storage area.

[0160] During an operation, a plurality of quantum objects 1220 are stored in a circulating storage area 1205 of the quantum object confinement device 1200 of Figure 12 in preparation for the performance of one or more quantum operations on the quantum objects 1220. A voltage signal is broadcast to electrodes in the circulating storage area 1205 to transport the quantum objects 1220 en masse around the circulating storage area 1205 until a desired quantum object reaches a junction 1215, at which point the desired quantum object is transported via the junction 1215 to the data bus confinement passage 1210 and to one of two quantum operation locations 1230A, 1230B to allow a quantum operation to be performed on the desired quantum object. If a quantum operation is to be performed on two quantum objects, a voltage signal is again broadcast to the electrodes of the circulating storage area 1205 to transport the quantum objects 1220 in unison around the circulating storage area 1205 until the second desired quantum object reaches the junction 1215, at which point the second desired quantum object is transported via the junction 1215 to the data bus confinement passage 1210 and to one of the two quantum operation locations 1230A, 1230B to allow a quantum operation to be performed on the two desired quantum objects.

[0161] Referring now to Figure 13, quantum object confinement device 1300 is shown. Quantum object confinement device 1300 includes a circular storage area 1305 coupled to two data bus confinement corridors 1310A, 1310B via junction 1315. A plurality of quantum objects (not shown) are stored along circular storage area 1305. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 13, circular storage area 1305 has a generally circular shape, although any suitable (closed) shape may be used. Data bus confinement corridors 1310A, 1310B each have two quantum operation locations 1330A, 1330B and two quantum operation locations 1330C, 1330D, respectively, defined thereon, although any suitable number of quantum operation locations may be defined thereon. During operation, desired quantum objects may be transferred from the circulating storage area 1305 via junction 1315 to either of the two data bus containment passages 1310A, 1310B.

[0162] Referring now to FIG. 14, quantum object confinement device 1400 is shown. Quantum object confinement device 1400 includes a circular storage area 1405 coupled to two data bus confinement corridors 1410A, 1410B via two junctions 1415A, 1415B, respectively. A plurality of quantum objects (not shown) are stored along circular storage area 1405. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 14, circular storage area 1405 has a generally circular shape, although any suitable (closed) shape may be used. Data bus confinement corridors 1410A, 1410B each have two quantum operation locations 1430A, 1430B and two quantum operation locations 1430C, 1430D, respectively, defined thereon, although any suitable number of quantum operation locations may be defined thereon. 14, two data bus confinement passageways 1410A, 1410B project outward in opposite directions from circular storage area 1405 (i.e., data bus confinement passageways 1410A, 1410B are positioned 180 degrees apart), although the data bus confinement passageways may be positioned in any suitable arrangement. During operation, a desired quantum object may be transferred from circular storage area 1405 to data bus confinement passageway 1410A via junction 1415A or to data bus confinement passageway 1410B via junction 1415B.

[0163] Referring now to FIG. 15, quantum object confinement device 1500 is shown. Quantum object confinement device 1500 includes four circular storage areas 1505A-1505D coupled to data bus confinement passageway 1510. A plurality of quantum objects (not shown) are stored along any or all of circular storage areas 1505A-1505D. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 15, circular storage areas 1505A-1505D each have a generally circular shape, although any suitable (closed) shape or combination of shapes may be used. Data bus confinement passageway 1510 has three quantum operation locations 1530A, 1530B, and 1530C defined thereon, although any suitable number of quantum operation locations may be defined thereon. During operation, a desired quantum object may be transferred from any of the circulating storage areas 1505A-1505D to the data bus containment passage 1510 and then transferred to any of the three quantum operation locations 1530A, 1530B, 1530C.

[0164] Referring now to FIG. 16, quantum object confinement device 1600 is shown. Quantum object confinement device 1600 includes three circular storage areas 1605A, 1605B, and 1605C coupled to three data bus confinement passageways 1610A, 1610B, and 1610C via primary junctions 1615A, 1615B, and 1615C, respectively. Additionally, secondary junctions 1635A and 1635B allow quantum objects to be transferred between the three data bus confinement passageways 1610A, 1610B, and 1610C. A plurality of quantum objects (not shown) are stored along any or all of circular storage areas 1605A, 1605B, and 1605C. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 16, circular storage areas 1605A, 1605B, and 1605C each have a generally circular shape, although any suitable (closed) shape or combination of shapes may be used. Each data bus containment corridor 1610A, 1610B, 1610C has a respective quantum operation location 1630A, 1630B, 1630C defined thereon, although any suitable number of quantum operation locations may be defined thereon. During operation, a desired quantum object may be transferred from any of the circulating storage areas 1605A, 1605B, 1605C to any of the data bus containment corridors 1610A, 1610B, 1610C and to any of the three quantum operation locations 1630A, 1630B, 1630C via primary junctions 1615A, 1615B, 1615C and secondary junctions 1635A, 1635B.

[0165] Referring now to Figure 17, quantum object confinement device 1700 is shown. Quantum object confinement device 1700 includes a Manhattan-style grid 1710 of data bus confinement passageways, with multiple circulating storage areas 1705 positioned within the grid. In the embodiment shown in Figure 17, circulating storage areas 1705 each have a generally circular shape, although any suitable (closed) shape or combination of shapes may be used. During an operation, a desired quantum object may be transferred from any of the circulating storage areas to any point within grid 1710 of data bus confinement passageways.

[0166] Referring now to FIG. 18 , a quantum object confinement device 1800 is shown. Quantum object confinement device 1800 includes a first circulating storage area 1805A and a second circulating storage area 1805B, each coupled to opposite ends of a data bus confinement passageway 1810 via respective junctions 1815A, 1815B. A plurality of quantum objects 1820A may be stored along first circulating storage area 1805A, and a plurality of quantum objects 1820B may be stored along second circulating storage area 1805B. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 18 , circulating storage areas 1805A, 1805B have a generally rectangular shape with curved corners, although any suitable (closed) shape may be used. Data bus confinement passageway 1810 has two quantum operation locations 830A, 1830B defined thereon, although any suitable number of quantum operation locations may be defined thereon.

[0167] During an operation, multiple quantum objects 1820A are stored in a first circular storage area 1805A of the quantum object confinement device 1800 of Figure 18 in preparation for performing one or more quantum operations on the quantum objects 1820A. A voltage signal is broadcast to electrodes in the first circular storage area 1805A to transport the quantum objects 1820A en masse around the first circular storage area 1805A until the desired quantum object reaches junction 1815A, at which point the desired quantum object is transported via junction 1815A to the data bus confinement passage 1810 and to one of two quantum operation locations 1830A, 1830B to allow a quantum operation to be performed on the desired quantum object. If a quantum operation is to be performed on two quantum objects, a voltage signal is again broadcast to the electrodes of the circulating storage area 1805A to transport the quantum object 1820A around the circulating storage area 1805A in unison until the second desired quantum object reaches the junction 1815A, at which point the second desired quantum object is transported via the junction 1815A to the data bus confinement passage 1810 and to one of the two quantum operation locations 1830A, 1830B to allow a quantum operation to be performed on the two desired quantum objects.

[0168] After quantum operations are performed on the one or two desired quantum objects, the quantum objects are transferred to the second circulating storage area 1805B via junction 1815B. Voltage signals are broadcast as necessary to electrodes in the second circulating storage area 1805B to transfer quantum objects 1820B en masse around the second circulating storage area 1805B until an open space is adjacent junction 1815B so that the quantum object (or one of the two quantum objects) can be transferred to the second circulating storage area 1805B (and this is repeated for the second of the two quantum objects).

[0169] The transfer of quantum objects from the first circulating storage area 1805A to one of the quantum operation locations 1830A, 1830B, and then to the second circulating storage area 1805B, typically continues until all desired quantum operations have been performed and / or until no quantum objects 1820A remain in the first circulating storage area 1805A (at which point all of the quantum objects (here referred to as 1820B) are in the second circulating storage area 1805B). At this point, further quantum operations may be performed by sorting the quantum objects 1820B in the second circulating storage area 1805B and transferring desired quantum objects from the second circulating storage area 1805B to one of the two quantum operation locations 1830A, 1830B. After the quantum operations have been performed, the desired quantum objects are transferred to the first circulating storage area 1805A. Alternatively, further quantum operations may be performed by transferring all of the quantum objects 1820B in the second circulatory storage area 1805B back to the first circulatory storage area 1805A, then sorting the quantum objects (here referred to as 1820A) in the first circulatory storage area 1805A, and transferring the desired quantum objects from the first circulatory storage area 1805A to one of the two quantum operation locations 1830A, 1830B.

[0170] Referring now to FIG. 19 , quantum object confinement device 1900 is shown. Quantum object confinement device 1900 includes a circular storage area 1905 coupled to a first end of a data bus confinement passageway 1910 via junction 1915, and a linear storage area 1945 coupled to an opposite end of data bus confinement passageway 1910. A plurality of quantum objects 1920A may be stored along circular storage area 1905, and a plurality of quantum objects 1920B may be stored along linear storage area 1945. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 19 , circular storage area 1905 has a generally rectangular shape with curved corners, although any suitable (closed) shape may be used. Data bus confinement passageway 1910 has two quantum operation locations 1930A, 1930B defined thereon, although any suitable number of quantum operation locations may be defined thereon.

[0171] During an operation, multiple quantum objects 1920A are stored in a circulating storage area 1905 of the quantum object confinement device 1900 of Figure 19 in preparation for the performance of one or more quantum operations on the quantum objects 1920A. A voltage signal is broadcast to electrodes in the circulating storage area 1905 to transport the quantum objects 1920A en masse around the circulating storage area 1905 until a desired quantum object reaches a junction 1915, at which point the desired quantum object is transported via the junction 1915 to a data bus confinement passage 1910 and to one of two quantum operation locations 1930A, 1930B to allow a quantum operation to be performed on the desired quantum object. If a quantum operation is to be performed on two quantum objects, a voltage signal is again broadcast to the electrodes of the circulating storage area 1905 to transport quantum object 1920A around the circulating storage area 1905 in unison until the second desired quantum object reaches junction 1915, at which point it is transported via junction 1915 to the data bus confinement passage 1910 and to one of two quantum operation locations 1930A, 1930B to allow the quantum operation to be performed on the two desired quantum objects. After the quantum operation has been performed on one or two desired quantum objects, the quantum objects are transported to the linear storage area 1945.

[0172] The transfer of quantum objects from the circular storage area 1905 to one of the quantum operation locations 1930A, 1930B, and then to the linear storage area 1945, typically continues until all desired quantum operations have been performed and / or until no quantum objects 1920A remain in the circular storage area 1905, at which point all of the quantum objects (now referred to as 1920B) are in the linear storage area 1945. At this point, further quantum operations may be performed by transferring all of the quantum objects 1920B in the linear storage area 1945 back to the circular storage area 1905, then sorting the quantum objects (now referred to as 1920A) in the circular storage area 1905 and transferring the desired quantum objects from the circular storage area 1905 to one of the two quantum operation locations 1930A, 1930B.

[0173] Referring now to Figure 20, quantum object confinement device 2000 is shown. Quantum object confinement device 2000 includes a cyclic storage area 2005 coupled to a data bus confinement passageway 2010 via junction 2015. A plurality of quantum objects 2020 are stored along cyclic storage area 2005. Data bus confinement passageway 2010 has two quantum swapping locations 2050A, 2050B defined thereon, although any suitable number of quantum swapping locations may be defined thereon. Quantum swapping locations 2050A, 2050B allow for sorting of quantum objects outside of cyclic sorting area 2005.

[0174] The height at which quantum objects are trapped above the plane of the surface electrode trap is a design choice but is typically on the order of tens of microns. The higher the height of the quantum objects, the easier it is for the laser manipulation signal to reach the quantum objects. However, a higher quantum object height requires a larger RF potential and larger electrodes to trap the quantum objects. In various embodiments, quantum objects stored in the circulatory storage area are at a lower height than quantum objects transported along the data bus containment path. This lower height of quantum objects stored in the circulatory storage area is possible because quantum objects stored in the circulatory storage area do not need to be reached by the laser manipulation signal. This lower height of quantum objects stored in the circulatory storage area allows the circulatory storage area to have a lower RF potential and a higher trapping potential, providing higher storage density and faster sorting.

[0175] 21, a side view of quantum object confinement device 2100 is shown. Quantum object confinement device 2100 includes a circulatory storage area 2105 coupled to a data bus confinement passageway 2110 via junction 2115. A plurality of quantum objects 2120 are stored along circulatory storage area 2105. Data bus confinement passageway 2110 has two pairs of quantum objects 2155A, 2155B at a first quantum operation location (not labeled) and two pairs of quantum objects 2155C, 2155D at a second quantum operation location (not labeled). As can be seen in FIG. 21, the plurality of quantum objects 2120 stored along circulatory storage area 2105 are at a lower height than the two pairs of quantum objects 2155A, 2155B and quantum objects 2155C, 2155D on data bus confinement passageway 2110.

[0176] 22 provides a flowchart illustrating various processes, procedures, etc. for performing quantum operations using quantum objects that are placed in a circulating storage area before the quantum operation is performed and then returned to the same or a different circulating storage area or other storage area after the quantum operation is performed. As should be understood, in various embodiments, the quantum operation may be performed using quantum objects that are placed in a circulating storage area before the quantum operation is performed but not returned to the circulating storage area after the quantum operation is performed, or using quantum objects that are not placed in a circulating storage area before the quantum operation is performed but are moved to the circulating storage area after the quantum operation is performed. In various embodiments, the processes, procedures, etc. illustrated in FIG. 22 are performed by a controller of a system that includes the containment device, such as, for example, controller 30 of FIG. 10.

[0177] Beginning at step / operation 2202, controller 30 determines that a quantum operation is to be performed on a first quantum object at a first quantum operation location. In various embodiments, controller 30 is configured to execute (e.g., by its semiconductor-based processing device) one or more queues of executable instructions. In an exemplary embodiment, controller 30 identifies and / or determines that a quantum operation is to be performed on a first quantum object by monitoring at least one of the one or more queues and / or in response to scheduling the execution of the quantum operation. Although a first quantum object is referred to herein in the singular, the first quantum object may be multiple quantum objects (e.g., two or more quantum objects).

[0178] For example, controller 30 may be configured to execute a quantum program and / or circuit that indicates which quantum operations should be performed on which quantum objects and in what order. Controller 30 may process the quantum program and / or circuit and, based thereon, schedule the execution of one or more sequences of executable instructions to form at least a portion of one or more queues. For example, a first queue may be executable by a driver controller element configured to control the operation of first manipulation source 64A. A second queue includes executable instructions configured to be executed by a driver controller element configured to control the operation of one or more of voltage sources 50, for example. Thus, by monitoring one or more queues, by monitoring the quantum program and / or circuit, and / or in response to scheduling the execution of quantum operations for one or more queues (e.g., scheduling executable instructions to control the operation of one or more manipulation sources 64 and / or one or more voltage sources 50 to cause execution), controller 30 determines that a quantum operation should be performed on a first quantum object at a first quantum operation location.

[0179] In exemplary embodiments, the quantum program and / or circuit and / or executable instructions include a qubit identifier configured to identify the first quantum object such that controller 30 determines that a quantum operation should be performed on the first quantum object. In various scenarios, a quantum operation may be performed on multiple quantum objects at each quantum operation location and / or at the first quantum operation location. For example, the quantum operation may be a two-qubit gate configured to entangle the first quantum object with another quantum object. In another example, the quantum operation may be a one-qubit gate, a qubit initialization operation, a qubit readout / detection operation, etc., performed in parallel at multiple quantum operation locations.

[0180] In step / operation 2204, controller 30 determines that a first quantum object is currently located in a first rotating storage area and determines the location of the first quantum object within the first rotating storage area. For example, controller 30 includes a classical (e.g., semiconductor-based) memory that stores a classical qubit record for each qubit of a quantum program and / or circuit. The classical qubit record, in various embodiments, indicates the location from which each quantum object was transferred. The classical qubit record, in various embodiments, may include various other information about each quantum object (e.g., phase accumulation, etc.).

[0181] Controller 30 identifies a classical qubit record corresponding to the first quantum object (e.g., a classical qubit record indexed by a qubit identifier configured to identify the first quantum object) and extracts, reads, accesses, etc., the location from which the first quantum object was transferred from the classical qubit record. In the example given by Figure 22, the first quantum object is placed in a first rotating storage area and at a particular location.

[0182] In step / operation 2206, the controller 30 causes the quantum objects in the circulatory storage area to be transported en masse around the circulatory storage area until a first quantum object reaches a junction coupling the circulatory storage area to a data bus containment passageway where one or more quantum operation locations are defined. For example, the controller 30 may schedule one or more executable instructions to be executed by a controller driver element configured to control operation of the voltage source 50 to apply a voltage signal to a DC electrode (control electrode) 2320 of the circulatory storage area such that the potential of the containment device causes the quantum objects in the circulatory storage area to be transported en masse around the circulatory storage area.

[0183] In step / operation 2208, controller 30 causes the transfer of the first quantum object from the circulatory storage area to the first quantum operation location. For example, controller 30 may schedule one or more executable instructions to be executed by a controller driver element configured to control operation of voltage source 50 to apply a voltage signal to control electrode 216 such that the potential of the containment device causes the first quantum object to be transferred from the circulatory storage area to the first quantum operation location.

[0184] In step / operation 2210, controller 30 causes a quantum operation to be performed on a first quantum object at a first quantum operation location. For example, controller 30 may control one or more manipulation sources 64 to incident one or more manipulation signals on the first quantum object (and possibly another quantum object) located at the first quantum operation location to cause the first quantum object to perform a quantum operation. In another example, controller 30 controls one or more magnetic field generators 70 to cause the first quantum object (and possibly another quantum object) located at the first quantum operation location to experience a magnetic field gradient to cause the first quantum object to perform a quantum operation.

[0185] In step / operation 2212, controller 30 determines a location to which the first quantum object should be transferred. In some cases, controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be transferred from the first quantum operation location to a second rotatable storage area. For example, controller 30 may determine whether, after a quantum operation is performed at the first quantum operation location, (a) the first quantum object should be maintained at the first quantum operation location, (b) the first quantum object should be transferred to a second / different quantum operation location, (c) the first quantum object should be transferred to a cache containment site (selected by controller 30), (d) the first quantum object should be transferred to the rotatable storage area, or (e) the first quantum object should be transferred to a different storage area, such as the second rotatable storage area. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the destination location is selected from the group including: (a) a first quantum operation location, (b) a second / different quantum operation location, (c) an identified and / or selected cache containment site, (d) a rotating storage area, and (e) a different storage area, such as a second rotating storage area.

[0186] In step / operation 2214, controller 30 transports the first quantum object to a destination location for the first quantum object. For example, if controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be transported to a specified and / or selected cache confinement site, controller 30 transports the first quantum object to the specified and / or selected cache confinement site. If controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be transported to a second quantum operation location or to a storage area, controller 30 transports the first quantum object to either the second quantum operation location or the storage area. If controller 30 determines that the first quantum object should be maintained at the first quantum operation location, controller 30 causes the first quantum object to remain at the first quantum operation location.

[0187] For example, controller 30 may schedule one or more executable instructions to be executed by a controller driver element configured to control operation of voltage source 50 to apply a voltage signal to control electrode 216 such that the potential of the confinement device causes the first quantum object to be transported to a destination location determined for the first quantum object. For example, the voltage signal applied to control electrode 216 may cause the first quantum object to remain at the first quantum operation location or to be transported to a respective one of a second quantum operation location, a specified and / or selected cache confinement site, or a storage area.

[0188] Referring now to Figure 23, quantum object confinement device 2300 is shown. Quantum object confinement device 2300 includes a circular storage area 2305 coupled to a data bus confinement passageway 2310 via junction 2315. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 23, circular storage area 2305 has a generally circular shape, although any suitable (closed) shape may be used. In the embodiment of Figure 23, data bus confinement passageway 2310 projects outward from circular storage area 2305.

[0189] Quantum object confinement device 2300 of Figure 23 includes RF electrode 2325 that creates radial confinement in circular storage area 2305 and RF electrode 2335 that creates radial confinement in data bus confinement passage 2310. Circular storage area 2305 includes DC electrode 2320 that provides axial confinement and allows transport of ions around circular storage area 2305. Data bus confinement passage 2310 includes DC electrode 2330 that provides axial confinement and allows transport of ions within data bus confinement passage 2310.

[0190] During an operation, a plurality of quantum objects (not shown) are stored in a circular storage area 2305 of quantum object confinement device 2300 of Figure 23 in preparation for the performance of one or more quantum operations on the quantum objects stored in the circular storage area. A voltage signal is broadcast to electrodes in circular storage area 2305 to transport the quantum objects en masse around circular storage area 2305 until the desired quantum object reaches junction 2315, at which point the desired quantum object is transported via junction 2315 to data bus confinement passage 2310 and generally to a quantum operation location (not shown) to allow a quantum operation to be performed on the desired quantum object.

[0191] The DC electrodes 2320 of the rotating storage area 2305 have three different patterns (parallel lines, crossed lines, and dots) that represent a shift register. This allows for the use of only three signals, one for each pattern, broadcast to the DC electrodes 2320 to capture many wells and allow for controlled rotation of the storage wells.

[0192] [Conclusion] Many variations and modifications of the inventions described herein, as well as other embodiments, will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. It is to be understood, therefore, that the inventions are not to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms have been employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0193] 5 Quantum objects 5A Quantum Object, First Quantum Object 5B Quantum Object, Second Quantum Object 10 Computing Entities 20 Wired or Wireless Networks 30 Controllers 40 Cryostat and / or vacuum chamber 50 Voltage Source 64 Operation source 64A operation source 64B Operation source 64C operation source 66 Beam Path 66A Beam Path 66B Beam Path 66C Beam Path 70 Magnetic Field Generator 70A Magnetic Field Generator, Internal Magnetic Field Generator 70B Magnetic Field Generator, External Magnetic Field Generator 80 Optical Collection System 100 systems 110 Quantum Computer 115 Quantum Processor 200 Confinement device, quantum object confinement device, atomic object confinement device 210 Data bus confinement passage, data bus confinement area 212 RF electrode 212 Symmetrical RF electrode, bus RF electrode, passage RF electrode 212A RF electrode, bus RF electrode 212B RF electrode, bus RF electrode 214 Control electrode 214A Control electrode 214B Control electrode 214C Control electrode 215 bus axle 216 Longitudinal electrode, control electrode 218 Quantum operation position 218A Quantum operation position 218B Quantum operation position 220 Cache Confinement Site, Confinement Area 220A Cache Confinement Site 220B Cache Confinement Site 222 RF electrodes, symmetric RF electrodes, cache site RF electrodes 222A RF electrode, symmetrical RF electrode, cache site RF electrode 222B RF electrode, symmetrical RF electrode, cache site RF electrode 224 Control Electrode 224A Control Electrode 224B Control electrode 224C Control electrode 225 sight axis 230 Joint 300 Confinement Device 310 Data Bus Confinement Passage 310A First Data Bus Confinement Path 310B Second Data Bus Confinement Path 318 Quantum operation position 318A Quantum operation position 318G quantum operation position 318N Quantum operation position 320 Cache Entrapment Site 320A~320J Cache Confinement Site 330 Storage Area 330A Storage Area, First Storage Area 330B Storage Area, Secondary Storage Area 332 Storage Bus Confinement Passage 400 Confinement Device 410 Data Bus Confinement Passage 410A First Data Bus Confinement Path 410B Second Data Bus Confinement Path 418 Quantum operation position 418A~418N Quantum operation position 420 Cache Entrapment Site 420A~420J Cache Confinement Site 430 Storage Area 430A Storage Area, First Storage Area 430B Storage Area, Secondary Storage Area 430C Storage area, circulating storage area 432 Storage Bus Confinement Passage 500 Confinement Device 510 Data Bus Confinement Passage 510A First Data Bus Confinement Path 510B Second Data Bus Confinement Path 518 Quantum operation position 518A~518N Quantum operation position 520 Cache Entrapment Site 520A~520M Cache Confinement Site 530 Storage Area, Bulk Storage Area 530A Storage Area, First Storage Area 530B Storage Area, Secondary Storage Area 532 Storage bus confinement aisle, storage area confinement aisle 600 Confinement Device 610 Data Bus Confinement Passage 610A First Data Bus Confinement Path 610B Second Data Bus Confinement Path 618 Quantum operation position 630 Storage area, circulating storage area 632 Storage Bus Confinement Passage 632A Storage Bus Confinement Aisle, First Storage Confinement Aisle 632B Storage Bus Confinement Aisle, Second Storage Confinement Aisle 632C Third Storage Confinement Hallway 634 Joint 636 Sort Confinement Site 636A Sort Confinement Site 636B Sort Confinement Site 700 Confinement Device 710A First Data Bus Confinement Path 710B Second Data Bus Confinement Path 718 Quantum operation position 720 Cache Entrapment Site 730 Storage Area 732 Storage Bus Confinement Passage 736 Sort Confinement Site 912 Source location 914 Destination location 916 Transport Route 1005 Processing device 1010 memory 1015 Driver Controller Element 1020 Communication Interface 1025 Analog-to-Digital Converter 1104 Transmitter 1106 Receiver 1108 Processing Device 1112 Antenna 1116 Display 1118 keypad 1120 Network Interface 1122 Volatile Storage or Memory 1124 Non-volatile storage or memory 1200 Quantum Object Confinement Device 1205 Circulating Storage Area 1210 Data Bus Confinement Passage 1215 Joint 1220 Quantum Object 1230A quantum operation position 1230B Quantum operation position 1300 Quantum Object Confinement Device 1305 Circulating Storage Area 1310A Data Bus Confinement Passage 1310B Data Bus Confinement Passage 1315 Joint 1330A~1330D Quantum operation position 1400 Quantum Object Confinement Device 1405 Circulating Storage Area 1410A Data Bus Confinement Passage 1410B Data Bus Confinement Passage 1415A Joint 1415B Joint 1430A~1430D Quantum operation position 1500 Quantum Object Confinement Device 1505A~1505D Circulating Storage Area 1510 Data Bus Confinement Passage 1530A~1530C Quantum operation position 1600 Quantum Object Confinement Device 1605A~1605C Circulating Storage Area 1610A~1610C Data bus confinement passage 1615A~1615C Main joint 1630A~1630C Quantum operation position 1635A Secondary joint 1635B Secondary joint 1700 Quantum Object Confinement Device 1705 Circulating Storage Area 1710 Lattice 1800 Quantum Object Confinement Device 1805A First Rotating Storage Area 1805B Second Rotating Storage Area 1810 Data Bus Confinement Passage 1815A Joint 1815B Joint 1820A Quantum Object 1820B Quantum Object 1830A quantum operation position 1830B Quantum operation position 1900 Quantum Object Confinement Device 1905 Circulating Storage Area 1910 Data Bus Confinement Passage 1915 Joint 1920A Quantum Object 1920B Quantum Object 1930A 1930B Quantum operation position 1945 Straight Storage Area 2000 Quantum Object Confinement Device 2005 Circulating Storage Area 2010 Data Bus Confinement Passage 2015 Joint 2020 Quantum Object 2050A Quantum Swap Position 2050B Quantum Swap Position 2100 Quantum Object Confinement Device 2105 Circulating Storage Area 2110 Data Bus Confinement Passage 2115 Joint 2120 Quantum Object 2155A~2155D Quantum object 2300 Quantum Object Confinement Device 2305 Circulating Storage Area 2310 Data Bus Confinement Passage 2315 Joint 2320 Control electrode, DC electrode 2325 RF Electrode 2330 DC electrode 2335 RF Electrode

Claims

1. one or more data bus confinement paths, each data bus confinement path of the one or more data bus confinement paths defined at least in part by a respective path sequence of control electrodes, the one or more data bus confinement paths configured for transport of one or more quantum objects along the one or more data bus confinement paths, and at least one of the one or more data bus confinement paths configured to provide access to or at least partially define one or more quantum operation locations configured for performance of one or more quantum operations on one or more quantum objects at the one or more quantum operation locations; one or more circular storage bus confinement passages, each circular storage bus confinement passage of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages defined at least in part by a respective circular sequence of control electrodes, each of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages coupled to one or more respective data bus confinement passages via one or more junctions such that one or more quantum objects may be transferred from one or more data bus confinement passages to one or more respective circular storage bus confinement passages and from one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to one or more respective data bus confinement passages, the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages configured for storage of a plurality of quantum objects in the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages and for simultaneous transfer of a plurality of stored quantum objects along the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to transfer a desired one of the plurality of stored quantum objects to a desired one of the one or more junctions to enable transfer of a desired one of the plurality of stored quantum objects to a desired one of the one or more data bus confinement passages for transfer to one of the one or more quantum operation locations; A quantum object confinement device comprising:

2. 2. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1, wherein the same first analog signal is applied to each of the control electrodes of the circular sequence of control electrodes of the respective circular storage bus confinement passages to cause simultaneous transport of the plurality of stored quantum objects in a first direction along the respective circular storage bus confinement passages.

3. 3. The quantum object confinement device of claim 2, wherein the same second analog signal is applied to each of the control electrodes of the circular sequence of control electrodes of each circular storage bus confinement passage to cause simultaneous transport of the plurality of stored quantum objects along the respective circular storage bus confinement passage in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

4. the one or more circulating storage bus containment aisles include at least a first circulating storage bus containment aisle and a second circulating storage bus containment aisle; 2. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1, wherein the first circular storage bus confinement passage is coupled to a first end of each data bus confinement passage, and the second circular storage bus confinement passage is coupled to a second end of each data bus confinement passage.

5. further comprising a linear storage site configured for storage of the quantum object, the linear storage site being defined at least in part by a respective linear sequence of the control electrodes; 2. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is coupled to a first end of a respective data bus confinement passage, and the linear storage site is coupled to a second end of the respective data bus confinement passage.

6. 10. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1, wherein the one or more circular storage bath confinement passageways each have a shape selected from the group consisting of: circular, oval, elliptical, square, and rectangular.

7. further comprising at least two data bus containment paths; 10. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1, wherein one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages is coupled to the two data bus confinement passages via a junction.

8. further comprising at least two data bus containment paths; 10. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1, wherein one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passageways is coupled to each of the two data bus confinement passageways via a different respective junction.

9. 2. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1, wherein the quantum objects stored in at least one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages are at a lower height relative to the at least one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages compared to a height of the quantum objects transported along the at least one of the one or more data bus confinement passages relative to the at least one of the one or more data bus confinement passages.

10. 10. The quantum object confinement device of claim 1, further comprising one or more lasers that project a laser beam onto the quantum objects in the at least one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to cool the quantum objects in the at least one of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages.

11. Confining a plurality of quantum objects in a quantum object confinement device, the quantum object confinement device comprising: one or more data bus confinement passages, each data bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages defined at least in part by a respective passage sequence of control electrodes, the one or more data bus confinement passages configured for transport of one or more quantum objects along the one or more data bus confinement passages, and at least one of the data bus confinement passages configured to provide access to or at least partially define one or more quantum operation locations configured for performance of one or more quantum operations on one or more quantum objects at the one or more quantum operation locations; one or more circular storage bus confinement passages, each of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages defined at least in part by a respective circular sequence of control electrodes, each of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages coupled to one or more respective data bus confinement passages via one or more junctions such that one or more quantum objects may be transferred from one or more data bus confinement passages to one or more respective circular storage bus confinement passages and from one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to one or more respective data bus confinement passages, the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages configured for storage of a plurality of quantum objects in the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages and for simultaneous transfer of a plurality of stored quantum objects along the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages to transfer a desired one of the plurality of stored quantum objects to a desired one of the one or more junctions to enable transfer of a desired one of the plurality of stored quantum objects to a desired one of the one or more data bus confinement passages for transfer to one of the one or more quantum operation locations; a first data bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages providing access to a first quantum operation location; a first circular storage bus containment passageway of the one or more circular storage bus containment passageways is coupled to the first data bus containment passageway via a first junction of the one or more junctions; the one or more quantum objects includes a first quantum object; transporting the one or more quantum objects en masse along the first circular storage bus containment path until the first quantum object reaches the first junction; transferring the first quantum object from the circular storage bus confinement path to the first data bus confinement path via the first junction; transporting the first quantum object to the first quantum computing location via the first data bus confinement path; performing a quantum operation on at least the first quantum object at the first quantum operation location; The method further comprises:

12. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising applying the same first analog signal to each of the control electrodes of the circular sequence of control electrodes of the respective circular storage bus confinement passages to cause simultaneous transport of the plurality of stored quantum objects in a first direction along the respective circular storage bus confinement passages.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising applying the same second analog signal to each of the control electrodes of the circular sequence of control electrodes of the respective circular storage bus confinement passages to cause simultaneous transport of the plurality of stored quantum objects in a second direction opposite the first direction along the respective circular storage bus confinement passages.

14. the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages of the quantum object confinement device include at least a first circular storage bus confinement passage and a second circular storage bus confinement passage; the first circular storage bus containment path is coupled to a first end of each data bus containment path, and the second circular storage bus containment path is coupled to a second end of each data bus containment path; 12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of transferring the first quantum object via the first data bus confinement passage to the second circular storage bus confinement passage after performing a quantum operation on at least the first quantum object at the first quantum operation location.

15. the quantum object confinement device further includes linear storage sites configured for storage of quantum objects, the linear storage sites being defined at least in part by respective linear sequences of control electrodes; one of the one or more circular storage bus containment aisles is coupled to a first end of a respective data bus containment aisle, and the linear storage site is coupled to a second end of the respective data bus containment aisle; 12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of performing a quantum operation on at least the first quantum object at the first quantum operation location, and then transporting the first quantum object to the linear storage site via the first data bus confinement passageway.

16. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more circular storage bus containment aisles each have a shape selected from the group consisting of: circular, oval, elliptical, square, and rectangular.

17. a second data bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages providing access to a second quantum operation location; the first circular storage bus containment path is coupled to the second data bus containment path via the first junction; the one or more quantum entities further include a second quantum entity; The method comprises: transporting the one or more quantum objects in unison along the first circular storage bus containment path until the second quantum object reaches the first junction; transferring the second quantum object from the circular storage bus confinement path to the second data bus confinement path via the first junction; transporting the second quantum object to the second quantum computing location via the second data bus confinement path; performing a quantum operation on at least the second quantum object at the second quantum operation location; The method of claim 11 further comprising:

18. a second data bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages providing access to the second quantum operation location; the first circular storage bus containment path is coupled to the second data bus containment path via a second junction of the one or more junctions; the one or more quantum entities further include a second quantum entity; The method comprises: transporting the one or more quantum objects in unison along the first circular storage bus containment path until the second quantum object reaches the second junction; transferring the second quantum object from the circular storage bus confinement path to the second data bus confinement path via the second junction; transporting the second quantum object to the second quantum computing location via the second data bus confinement path; performing a quantum operation on at least the second quantum object at the second quantum operation location; The method of claim 11 further comprising:

19. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the quantum objects stored in at least one circular storage bus confinement passage of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages are at a lower height relative to the at least one circular storage bus confinement passage of the one or more circular storage bus confinement passages compared to a height of the quantum objects transported along the at least one circular storage bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages relative to the at least one circular storage bus confinement passage of the one or more data bus confinement passages.

20. the quantum object confinement device further comprises one or more lasers; 12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising projecting a laser beam onto the quantum objects in the at least one of the one or more circular storage bus containment passages to cool the quantum objects in the at least one of the one or more circular storage bus containment passages.

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