Browsing by Author "Skosana, Unathi"

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    Demonstration of Shor’s factoring algorithm for N = 21 on IBM quantum processors
    (Nature, 2021-08-16) Skosana, Unathi; Tame, Mark
    We report a proof-of-concept demonstration of a quantum order-finding algorithm for factoring the integer 21. Our demonstration involves the use of a compiled version of the quantum phase estimation routine, and builds upon a previous demonstration. We go beyond this work by using a configuration of approximate Toffoli gates with residual phase shifts, which preserves the functional correctness and allows us to achieve a complete factoring of N=21 . We implemented the algorithm on IBM quantum processors using only five qubits and successfully verified the presence of entanglement between the control and work register qubits, which is a necessary condition for the algorithm’s speedup in general. The techniques we employ may be useful in carrying out Shor’s algorithm for larger integers, or other algorithms in systems with a limited number of noisy qubits.
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    Quantum computing on cloud-based processors
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04) Skosana, Unathi; Tame, M. S.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Physics.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era refers to the current technological epoch permeated with quantum processors that are big enough (50-100 qubits) to be no longer trivially simulatable with digital computers but not yet capable of full fault-tolerant computation. Such processors provide great testbeds to understand the practical issues and resources needed to realize quantum tasks in these processors, such as quantum algorithms. Many pressing issues arise in this context that are a direct consequence of the limitations of these processors (limited number of qubits, low qubit connectivity, and limited coherence times). Hence, for near-term quantum algorithms, there is an overriding imperative to adopt an approach that takes into account, and attempts to mitigate or circumvent some of these limitations. In this thesis, we examine realizing Grover’s quantum search algorithm for four qubits on IBM Q superconducting quantum processors, and potentially scaling up to more qubits. We also investigate non-canonical forms of the quantum search algorithm that trade accuracy for speed in a way that is more suitable for near-term processors. Our contribution to this topic of research is a slight improvement in the accuracy of the solution to a graph problem, solved with a quantum search algorithm implemented on IBM Q quantum processors by Satoh et .al in IEEE Transactions on Quantum Engineering (2020). We also explore the realization of a measurement-based quantum search algorithm for three qubits. Unfortunately, the number of qubits and two-qubit gates required by such an algorithm puts it beyond the reach of current quantum processors. Based on a recently published work with Professor Mark Tame, we also report a proof-of-concept demonstration of a quantum order-finding algorithm for factor- ing the integer 21. Our demonstration builds upon a previous demonstration by Martín-López et al. in Nature Photonics 6, 773 (2012). We go beyond this work by implementing the algorithm on IBM Q quantum processors using a configuration of approximate Toffoli gates with residual phase shifts, which preserves its functional correctness and allows us to achieve a complete factoring of N D 21 using a quantum circuit with relatively fewer two-qubit gates. Lastly, we realize a small-scale three-qubit quantum processor based on a spontaneous parametric down-conversion source built to generate a polarization-entangled Bell state. The state is enlarged by using the path degree of freedom of one of the photons to make a 3-qubit GHZ state. The generated state is versatile enough to carry out quantum correlation measurements such as Bell’s inequalities and entanglement witnesses. The entire experimental setup is motorized and made automatic allowing remote control of the measurements of each of the qubits, and we design and build a mobile graphical user interface to an provide intuitive and visual way to interact with the experiment.