John Martinis visited Google LA to give a tech talk: "Design of a Superconducting Quantum Computer." This talk took place on October 15, 2013. Bio: John M. Martinis attended the University of California at Berkeley from 1976 to 1987, where he received two degrees in Physics: B.S. (1980) and Ph.D. (1987). His thesis research focused on macroscopic quantum tunneling in Josephson Junctions. After completing a post-doctoral position at the Commisiariat Energie Atomic in Saclay, France, he joined the Electromagnetic Technology division at NIST in Boulder. At NIST he was involved in understanding the basic physics of the Coulomb Blockade, and worked to use this phenomenon to make a new fundamental electrical standard based on counting electrons. While at NIST he also invented microcalorimeters based on superconducting sensors for x-ray microanalysis and astrophysics. In June of 2004 he moved to the University of California, Santa Barbara where he currently holds the Worster Chair. At UCSB, he has continued work on quantum computation. Along with Andrew Cleland, he was awarded in 2010 the AAAS science breakthrough of the year for work showing quantum behavior of a mechanical oscillator. Abstract: Superconducting quantum computing is now at an important crossroad, where "proof of concept" experiments involving small numbers of qubits can be transitioned to more challenging and systematic approaches that could actually lead to building a quantum computer. Our optimism is based on two recent developments: a new hardware architecture for error detection based on "surface codes" [1], and recent improvements in the coherence of superconducting qubits [2]. I will explain how the surface code is a major advance for quantum computing, as it allows one to use qubits with realistic fidelities, and has a connection architecture that is compatible with integrated circuit technology. Additionally, the surface code allows quantum error detection to be understood using simple principles. I will also discuss how the hardware characteristics of superconducting qubits map into this architecture, and review recent results that suggest gate errors can be reduced to below that needed for the error detection threshold. References [1] Austin G. Fowler, Matteo Mariantoni, John M. Martinis and Andrew N. Cleland, PRA 86, 032324 (2012). [2] R. Barends, J. Kelly, A. Megrant, D. Sank, E. Jeffrey, Y. Chen, Y. Yin, B. Chiaro, J. Mutus, C. Neill, P. O'Malley, P. Roushan, J. Wenner, T. C. White, A. N. Cleland and John M. Martinis, arXiv:1304:2322.

Comments

1. This is the most honest video I've seen on quantum computers so far. I'm highly skeptical until I see the theoretical physics carried over into a real working product with multiple proof of concept demonstrations.
2. That said it's a nice presentation with some very nice empirical data.
3. I distrust anyone who starts off with an attack on their potential competitors.
4. None of this is practical
5. Quamtum computers are already being produced and are for sale from a company called D-Wave. They sold one to DARPA and one to Google
6. WOAH WOAH WOAH!
   
   SOOO EXCITING
7. Ananı sikiyim google.Robotlarınız önce sizin sonra bizim götümüzü sikecek.
   
   + 3.dünya savaşı yapay zekaya karşı verilecek.Sorumlusu google'dur.
8. kiads
9. This is really awesome, it's a shame I won't be around to see how far this goes through the next few hundred years. It's amazing how advanced the human brain is and we're still trying to figure it out. This is the first step in to making an artificial brain.
10. Just to think we went from counting with sticks and stones, to using an abacus to using giant calculators that filled up rooms and generated a lot of heat to having complex computers that fit in our palm / pocket..
    
    And yet all we have done from the dawn of civilisation till now is basically warm the air around us...
    
    
11. It just took a little playing around with which way to do the error codes;
12. I hope this isn't some ploughgoataah... I hope this is legit. 
13. Refreshing clear.
14. pretty sure jesus didnt say we needed quantum computers... i smell the devil at work here
15. I think Dr. John Martinis should read this interview with Dr. Craig Venter & get some good ideas from him about putting together a project a la Celera for building a QC, as suggested by a friend of mine. Good luck Dr. Martinis!. Here is the link.
    http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/566821c0-aa4d-11e3-8497-00144feab7de.html#axzz2w6hZo4I4
16. Build chips with only as many Q bits as can be error checked well, then tie them together into a sequential Hierarchy. It may take up more space, but, if you can get 512 going at 10 bits per chip, it wont be so bad. 
17. Would the Photon Alligator guide help stabilize the process?
18. A Phosphorus Atom in a mini capacitor would be isolated. 
19. Quantum computers are good at is breaking public key cryptography and almost nothing else. There are indications that by now the NSA already has it and you've paid for it.
20. 51:52 A 19 qubit and a c.50 qubit sausage fest.