Goldman Sachs and Rigetti: Tackling Error Correction With a New Gate Design
By Matt Reagor
Vice President, Quantum Engineering, Rigetti Computing, Inc.
Over the last few years, Rigetti and others have been tailoring designs for near-term quantum computers for performing certain tasks in application areas like machine learning, optimization, and simulation. While Rigetti believes that quantum advantage will be achieved before fault tolerant systems are realized, a subset of applications will require fault tolerance and therefore error correction routines to be practical.
Today, Rigetti and Goldman Sachs jointly released a manuscript that outlines our ongoing collaboration to make quantum error correction more efficient. Together we propose a new design methodology for adapting large-scale superconducting quantum computers for error correction — a path that Rigetti and Goldman Sachs believe could accelerate the development of quantum computing applications that require fault tolerance.
A key challenge in building large-scale fault tolerant quantum computers is overcoming errors caused by decoherence and other forms of noise that can degrade the quality and accuracy of quantum algorithms. In our paper, we discuss how we approach optimization of designs for current gate-model superconducting processors — like the ones Rigetti builds.
“We believe our research shows that error correction can be critical for some valuable financial applications of quantum computing,” said William Zeng, Head of Quantum Research at Goldman Sachs. “Given the importance of these applications, we believe it makes sense to develop hardware designs that are optimized to support quantum error correcting codes.”
Specifically, the team proposed a new kind of gate that we believe could potentially simplify system calibration and increase the threshold of the surface codes. These new Hardware Optimized Parity (HOP) gates are designed to be essentially fine-tuned, parallel interactions between superconducting transmon qubits. The team believes that the associated improvements to error correction thresholds are a strong signal that this hardware tailoring approach could be an essential aspect of system design moving forward.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this communication may be considered forward-looking statements[, including statements with respect to the ability and potential of quantum computers to perform tasks; expectations with respect to the achievement of quantum advantage; statements with respect to new design methodology and the potential acceleration of development of quantum computing applications; statements with respect to the potential benefits of a new kind of gate; and expectations with respect to error correction and the value of hardware tailoring]. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events and can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “strive,” “budget,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “believe,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursue,” “aim,” “goal,” “mission,” “anticipate” or “continue,” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Rigetti and its management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the registration on Form S-4, Rigetti’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 7, 2022, and in Rigetti’s Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2022, and other documents filed by Rigetti from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Rigetti assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law. Rigetti does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
