Quantum Computing: An Introduction for Microwave Engineers

Abstract

During the past decade, quantum computing has grown from a field known mostly for generating scientific papers to one that is poised to reshape computing as we know it [1]. Major industrial research efforts in quantum computing are currently underway at many companies, including IBM [2], Microsoft [3], Google [4], [5], Alibaba [6], and Intel [7], to name a few. The European Union [8], Australia [9], China [10], Japan [11], Canada [12], Russia [13], and the United States [14] are each funding large national research initiatives focused on the quantum information sciences. And, recently, tens of start-up companies have emerged with goals ranging from the development of software for use on quantum computers [15] to the implementation of full-fledged quantum computers (e.g., Rigetti [16], ION-Q [17], Psi-Quantum [18], and so on). However, despite this rapid growth, because quantum computing as a field brings together many different disciplines, there is currently a shortage of engineers who understand both the engineering aspects (e.g., microwave design) and the quantum aspects required to build a quantum computer [19]. The aim of this article is to introduce microwave engineers to quantum computing and demonstrate how the microwave community's expertise could contribute to that field.