Quantum Circuits and Systems

Through five decades of continued transistor scaling, the size of unit computing has almost reached its fundamental size limit, thus creating a plateau in performance for traditional CMOS based circuits. While the speed of CMOS technology is relatively saturated, quantum computation seems to be the next landmark technology in computing. By relying on quantum principles and properties - most importantly superposition and entanglement - Quantum Computers demonstrate an almost miraculous capacity to solve seemingly insurmountable problems. However, the interfacing, readout and electronic control circuitry around the Quantum Computing Core still uses CMOS technologies at room temperature, and there is a strong need to place the electronic circuitry near the Quantum Core (at a few milli-Kelvins) for scalability and performance, which leads to an entirely new paradigm of CMOS-based circuits, which is celled Cryo-CMOS. Research and development in Quantum computing as well as Cryo-CMOS are currently flourishing, with possible implementation of quantum algorithms, circuits and systems in the foreseeable future. The purpose of this course is to prepare potential circuit and systems engineers for that future by introducing them to the sate-of-the-art Cryo-CMOS circuits. This course will build basic understanding of cryogenic CMOS circuits, and highlight their use in Quantum System Applications (Computing, Sensing, Communication), which has become increasingly important in quantum research in the last few years. Two design examples will be a key component of the course.

ECE69500

Credit Hours:

1

Description:

Through five decades of continued transistor scaling, the size of unit computing has almost reached its fundamental size limit, thus creating a plateau in performance for traditional CMOS based circuits. While the speed of CMOS technology is relatively saturated, quantum computation seems to be the next landmark technology in computing. By relying on quantum principles and properties - most importantly superposition and entanglement - Quantum Computers demonstrate an almost miraculous capacity to solve seemingly insurmountable problems. However, the interfacing, readout and electronic control circuitry around the Quantum Computing Core still uses CMOS technologies at room temperature, and there is a strong need to place the electronic circuitry near the Quantum Core (at a few milli-Kelvins) for scalability and performance, which leads to an entirely new paradigm of CMOS-based circuits, which is celled Cryo-CMOS. Research and development in Quantum computing as well as Cryo-CMOS are currently flourishing, with possible implementation of quantum algorithms, circuits and systems in the foreseeable future. The purpose of this course is to prepare potential circuit and systems engineers for that future by introducing them to the sate-of-the-art Cryo-CMOS circuits. This course will build basic understanding of cryogenic CMOS circuits, and highlight their use in Quantum System Applications (Computing, Sensing, Communication), which has become increasingly important in quantum research in the last few years. Two design examples will be a key component of the course. 

Topics Covered:

Week Lecture Topics
1 Overview of Quantum Technologies and Introduction to Cryogenic Circuits; Quantum Computing; Quantum Sensing; Quantum Communication; Fundamentals of Quantum Principles and their implementations; Need for Cryogenic Circuits and Associated Challenges
2 Mixed-signal Circuits Overview for Quantum Applications; Behavior of Passives at Cryogenic Temperatures; Cryo-CMOS Transistors; Noise Requirements Analog Circuits and performance metrices; Digital Circuits performance metrices; Mixed-signal circuits
3 Quantum Readout and Control Circuits; Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA); Analog to Digital Converters (ADC); Time to Digital Converters (TDC); Digital to Analog Converters (DAC)
4 Cryogenic VCO and Auxiliary Circuit Design; Theoretical Limits and Design Strategy, with Architectural Choices; Inductor Design and Capacitor Bank; Design Considerations; Varactor Design; Reference Circuit Design
5 Course summary, evaluation, and conclusion

 

Prerequisites:

Understanding of linear circuits, KCL, KVL, concepts from undergraduate courses in circuit design, signal processing, and microelectronics. Understanding of the fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics may help, but is not a necessary prerequisite. 

Web Address:

https://purdue.brightspace.com

 

Textbooks:

Required Text(s):

  1. RF Microelectronics, 2nd Edition, Razavi, Behzad, Pearson, 2012, ISBN No. 0137134738

Recommended Text(s)

  1. Quantum Computation and Quantum Information, Michael Nielson and Isaac Chuang, Cambridge University Press, 2011, ISBN No. 9781107002173 

Instructor(s)

Shreyas Sen

Email
shreyas@purdue.edu