Error corrected quantum computer

Abstract

This invention concerns quantum error correction, that is the correction of errors in the transport and processing of qubits, by use of logical qubits made up of a plurality of physical qubits. The process takes place on a spatial array of physical qubit sites arranged with a quasi-2-dimensional topology having a first line of physical qubit sites and second line of physical qubit sites, where the first and second lines are arranged in parallel, with the sites of the first line in registration with corresponding sites in the second line. Between the first and second lines of physical qubit sites are a plurality of logic function gates, each comprised of a first physical qubit gate site associated with a first physical qubit site in the first line, and a second physical qubit gate site associated with the physical qubit site in the second line that corresponds to the first physical qubit site. The temporal process comprises the following steps: Creating a logical qubit in a section of the array by initialising an equal plurality of physical data and ancilla qubits at respective sites of the first and second lines within the section. Clocking each physical qubit site in the section at the same time. Permitting the physical data and ancilla qubits to move to an adjacent site in a clock cycle, provided that no site may contain more than one physical qubit at any time. Controlling the sites to achieve movement of ancilla qubits in the array to bring pairs of the ancilla qubits to respective first and second physical gate sites of logic function gates over the course of a number of clock cycles. Permitting logic operations to be performed at logic function gates which have both of their gate sites occupied by a physical ancilla qubit. Controlling the gate sites of the logic function gate to achieve the logic operation. Controlling the sites to achieve movement of the qubits in the array to bring pairs of all the data and ancilla qubits to respective logic function gates over the course of a number of clock cycles. Controlling the gate sites of the logic function gate to achieve the logic operation between each pair of data and ancilla qubits. Controlling the sites to achieve movement of the qubits in the array to bring all the data and ancilla qubits to respective sites where they can be read out. And, Using the values of the ancilla qubits read out to correct errors arising in the data qubits they have been gated with.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.