The primary goal of AQUA is to advance the deployment of quantum technologies in the real world, principally by applying known techniques from classical computer architecture, networking and distributed systems to the problems of scalability in quantum systems. This work will both bring new computational capabilities and help ensure that the progress of information technology does not end when the size of transistors can no longer be reduced.

Work Areas

• Devices: In conjunction with the Yamamoto group at Stanford University, we are designing semiconductor-based chips using quantum dots.
  • Quantum Dots with Optically-controlled Spins (QuDOS) architecture
  • Racetrack architecture
• Principles: We are searching for new principles in quantum architecture and networking, as well as applications of known principles.
  • layered architectures, quantum multicomputer paradigm, graph embedding, quantum picturalism, beyond DiVincenzo criteria, surface code error correction
  • Quantum Multicomputer Architectures
  • Graph Embedding
  • Surface Code and Planar Code Error Correction
  • Quantum Picturalism
• Tools: Proper analysis of new ideas in architecture and networks requires software tools for compiling programs and optimizing their mapping to particular systems, as well as physical simulation of quantum devices and effects.
  • Compilers & optimizers, Quantomatic, Aqua Tools
• Workloads: Although AQUA does not focus on the creation of new quantum algorithms, we do work on how to implement known quantum algorithms efficiently on realizable architectures. We also perform the reverse analysis: to implement a given algorithm, how large and how accurate a quantum system is required?
  • Efficient, architecture-aware implementation of arithmetic
  • IKE for IPsec with QKD
• Networks: Large systems must combine multiple devices into one system that can compute collaboratively, as well as share information; we are investigating both system-area and wide-area quantum networks.
  • quantum recursive network architecture (QRNA), path selection, multiplexing, protocol design, low-level repeater optimization
  • Recursive Quantum Network Architecture
  • Path Selection for Repeater Networks
  • Multiplexing for Repeater Networks
  • Repeater Protocol Design and Visualization
  • Low-Level Repeater Optimization

In addition, we do a number of fun and educational projects:

• Lego Difference Engine