QACTI Hardware Town Hall

The first QACTI town hall on Hardware Challenges for Scalable Academic Ion Trap Quantum Computers was held at the Duke Quantum Center and included researchers from around the country involved in ion trapping or other NQVL demonstrator projects. Many challenges and potential decision points were discussed for achieving the goal of a 256-qubit ion trap quantum computer. At the atomic physics layer, attendees discussed the relative merits of different ion choices and fundamental limits on gate speed and noise. At the control level, attendees discussed limits for current control systems and methods for multiplexing lasers for control and cooling. At the architectural level, attendees debated different architectures (linear set of connected traps, 2d set of connected traps, and traps connected by photonic links) as well as different architectures for delivering control beams (bulk optics, integrated optics, and microwave control). Attendees were asked to identify risks and key technical challenges that need to be solved to achieve the NQVL goals. 

For the town hall agenda and participant list, see the QACTI Hardware Town Hall overview.