Chapter 95 Optical quantum computers and superconducting circuit quantum computers

Xiaguo, within the first ring of Beijing.

The chairman of the parliament looked at Fang Xu in front of him with a serious expression.

"Academician Fang, are you talking about the quantum computer supercomputing center?"

It's not that he doubts it, but Xiaguo has been studying quantum computers for a long time.

Some remarkable results have also been achieved in the laboratory.

For example, Jiuzhang.

As a prototype of an optical quantum computer with 76 quantum bits, Jiuzhang has won countless praises.

With Jiuzhang quantum computers, Xiaguo has even become the second country in the world to achieve quantum hegemony.

But the actual situation is not so optimistic.

Jiuzhang quantum computers do not use general superconducting circuits, ion traps or semiconductor wafers, but have opened up another way, treating photons as quantum bits and manipulating photons to achieve calculations.

But this is a tricky way.

At least for now, optical quantum computers do not have the potential to be general-purpose quantum computers.

The reason is simple. Photons have good coherence and long coherence time. This is the advantage of optical quantum computers and also a trick.

But why is the coherence good?

It's very simple. The interaction between photons and the environment is extremely weak.

This also leads to another consequence.

It is difficult for humans, at least for now, to precisely control photons.

This has created a very embarrassing situation.

It cannot achieve universal quantum computing.

In other words, it cannot be programmed and can only perform operations for specific projects.

In the classical mathematical algorithm Gaussian boson sampling, the computing speed of Jiuzhang computer has reached an extremely terrifying level, but for other projects, it has no effect at all.

As a project that Xiaguo has invested a lot of energy in research, the chairman of the senator naturally knows the disadvantages of Jiuzhang and the difficulty of realizing a universal quantum computer.

Therefore, Councillor Li expressed his doubts about what Fang Xu said.

Facing the chairman's doubts, Fang Xu shrugged lightly: "Chairman, don't ask me, I know nothing about this stuff."

"You can find someone to verify it. This is Professor Lu's original words."

After a moment of silence, he added softly: "In addition, he also said that the quantum supercomputing center will play a decisive role in the future of Xiaguo."

The chairman's expression suddenly became a little serious.

"Okay! I got it!"

"In that case..." Councillor Li's eyes flashed with determination, "Let the construction team start construction according to the drawings, and produce various equipment and parts first."

"As for verification, I will go to the Academy of Sciences in person tomorrow!"

...

Xiaguo Academy of Sciences.

As a big shot in the field of quantum computing and artificial intelligence, Mo Zeyang was staring at the computer screen in front of him with a serious face.

Seeing this scene, the researcher next to him couldn't help but smile and shook his head: "Academician Mo, are you still entangled in superconducting circuit quantum computers?"

The researcher's voice interrupted Mo Zeyang's thoughts.

He turned his head and glanced at the researcher standing next to him looking at the computer screen, frowning slightly: "Of course."

The bitterness in the researcher's eyes became more and more intense, and he sighed softly: "Academician Mo, now Xiaguo's funding for quantum computers is getting less and less."

"Since the crisis of the sun, most of Xiaguo's scientific research funds have been given to Professor Lu Yongchang."

"In addition to the original Jiuzhang, we have to share part of the funds. The funds we have are already..."

The researcher was silent for a while, and then spoke again: "Or, let's study optical quantum computers?"

"No!"

Mo Zeyang said firmly: "Superconducting quantum computers are definitely the direction of future general-purpose quantum computers!"

"Only superconducting quantum computers can realize artificial intelligence!"

"But, but we don't have funds!" The researcher sighed heavily, "Academician Mo, look, how many people have chosen to leave..."

Mo Zeyang's face darkened.

"I...wait a little longer, maybe I can solve this circuit architecture problem."

Mo Zeyang's voice was full of unconfidence.

"Knock knock knock!"

A knock on the door sounded.

Mo Zeyang turned his head to look in the direction of the gate, and then whispered to the researcher beside him: "Go open the door and take a look."

Looking at the back of the researcher walking towards the door, Mo Zeyang's eyes flashed with a trace of doubt.

Who would come to their "poor place" at this time?

"Chairman?!"

"Why are you here?!"

The researcher's exclamation made Mo Zeyang stunned.

Then, a familiar face appeared in front of him.

"Academician Mo?" Councillor Li said with a smile, "I shouldn't disturb you by coming to you suddenly?"

Mo Zeyang stood up from his chair in a hurry and looked at Councillor Li with a stiff face: "Chairman, you...you sit down."

Seeing the chairman sitting down, Mo Zeyang's expression became a little more natural: "Chairman, you suddenly came to me for..."

The chairman smiled and took out a USB flash drive from his pocket.

"Here, take a look at the architecture diagram inside."

Mo Zeyang took the USB flash drive with a puzzled look and inserted it into the computer in the office.

The file was very large, and he waited for a long time before opening it.

The moment he saw the detailed architecture diagram, Mo Zeyang's face changed slightly!

"Is this... the architecture diagram of a superconducting circuit quantum computer?" Mo Zeyang's voice trembled a little, "Where did you get this from?"

"How is it? Is this thing reliable?"

The chairman did not answer Mo Zeyang's question, but asked back softly.

Mo Zeyang fell into silence.

After a long time, he said in a slightly hoarse voice: "Chairman, I... I don't know."

"Hmm?" Councillor Li raised his eyebrows slightly, "Academician Mo, you are a big shot in the field of superconducting circuit quantum computers in Xiaguo, can't you see it?"

Mo Zeyang shook his head slowly, with a bit of confusion and shock in his eyes: "My research has not reached this point..."

After speaking, he took a deep breath and said with a firm look: "However, I can tell you responsibly that this architecture diagram solves a difficult problem I am studying recently."

The chairman's face was stern, and he nodded gently: "Okay, I know."

Seeing the chairman fell into deep thought and stopped talking, Mo Zeyang's heart felt like being scratched by a cat.

After struggling for a long time, he couldn't help but ask, "Chairman, can you tell me who made this architecture diagram?"

Hearing Mo Zeyang's question, Councillor Li smiled faintly, and his lips moved slightly, and he reported a name.

"Professor Lu?!" Mo Zeyang was shocked, "I heard that he is not from the Department of Physics?"

Councillor Li smiled even more: "I heard from Fang Xu that this was made by Lu Yongchang in ten days."