A fully digital, chip-based quantum computer

The only true and tested method by which computers have ever scaled involves integrating circuits onto microchips. The first digital computer, the ENIAC, with its 17,468 vacuum tubes that had a habit of breaking, looks remarkably similar to today’s most advanced quantum computers. With their expensive cryo-coaxial cables and racks and racks of control equipment, they work well as prototype demonstrations of the potential of quantum computing, but they do not scale any better than the ENIAC could. Scaling the digital computer required integrated circuits on microchips. The same is true for the quantum computer.

Scalability at the core of the design and the name

SEEQC, an acronym for Scalable Energy Efficient Quantum Computing, is revolutionizing the field by building the world's first fully digital, chip-based quantum computer. The unique approach places energy efficiency and scalability at the core of its system.

SEEQC's greatest innovation lies in the sophisticated system-on-a-chip architecture, a meticulous design that seamlessly integrates quantum and classical computing, akin to the symbiotic relationship between CPU and GPUs. The result is the world's first active Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) –– a complete quantum system encapsulated within a single chip.

One of the key advantages of developing a chip-based quantum computer is the tight integration of core functionalities such as qubit readout, control and multiplexing, as well as advanced features including hardware-realized real-time error correction decoding and hybrid algorithm co-processing. SEEQC’s pioneering solution is modular, where quantum chips and control chips are integrated together within a proprietary multi-chip module architecture so that they can be easily modified.

Single Flux Quantum

At the heart of SEEQC's unique approach is the utilization of Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) technology, an energy-efficient breakthrough that minimizes power dissipation as heat. Unlike other quantum systems, SEEQC's superconductor-based design locates the control system in close proximity to the qubits, allowing a highly modular architecture that mitigates the introduction of excess heat into the cryostat, thereby maintaining the extremely low temperatures essential for quantum operations.

While analog systems are famously difficult to modify, SEEQC is all digital, allowing for programmability. Programmability opens doors to a wide array of quantum algorithms and applications as the digital architecture can easily be modified from one task to another. Upgrades become a simple matter of printing a new quantum chip, facilitating rapid advancements in both classical and quantum computing, as well as quantum technology, including on-chip error correction.

– Professor Jonas Bylander, Wallenberg Center for Quantum Technology at Chalmers University

Our system is not much to look at

Perhaps the most striking feature of SEEQC's quantum computer is its unassuming appearance. In an arena where quantum computers are often depicted with sprawling racks of room-temperature equipment, SEEQC stands apart. Because of its ultra-low energy requirements and reduced heat dissipation — especially compared to conventional CMOS or CryoCMOS chips — SEEQC’s superconducting SFQ circuits can be proximally located with cryogenic qubit chips. By placing SFQ circuits directly atop the qubits, SEEQC has eliminated much of the complex overhead typically associated with dilution refrigeration systems. The result is a quantum computer that resides entirely within the confines of the cryostat, eliminating the need for extensive external equipment and cables.

SEEQC's significant R&D experience in superconducting electronics, combined with the pioneering SFQ technology, places the company in a unique position within the quantum ecosystem. The approach, driven by a commitment to energy efficiency and scalability, is poised to transform the quantum computing landscape ushering in a new era of computational capabilities.

If you want to know more about SFQ, watch this excellent keynote by Ivan Edward Sutherland. An American computer scientist and Internet visionary, Sutherland is widely regarded as a pioneer of computer graphics.

When heat is the enemy

Today, the control of leading qubits modalities relies on cryogenic environments and on the use of microwave pulses, an energy source that inevitably translates into heat, which, in turn, infiltrates the very refrigerator where qubits must remain cold. This thermal conundrum may work for a limited number of qubits, but for every qubit added, the heat generated in controlling the qubit becomes more and more of a problem as the refrigerator unwittingly floods with heat — a space that must remain cold for qubits to remain stable. Herein lies the distinction in SEEQC's approach.

By harnessing the power of Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) technology, SEEQC’s system operates on orders of magnitude less energy. The digital nature of SFQ, combined with its astonishing picosecond speed, not only circumvents the heat challenge but enables SEEQC's system to scale effectively in this environment.

SEEQC's quantum system boasts an impressive processing speed measured in 10s to 100s of GHz, rendering it exceptionally swift with minimal latency. This remarkable processing capability holds the potential to revolutionize various fields through the application of quantum computing technology.

A modular approach

SEEQC's architecture integrates quantum chips and control chips, both easily modifiable due to their digital nature. Unlike analog systems, which are challenging to modify, SEEQC's digital architecture promotes programmability and swift transitions between tasks. This innovation significantly reduces the need for complex cabling and external control systems, ensuring efficient quantum operations within a cryostat.

The modular approach adopted by SEEQC creates the ability to address specific application problems, even as we work toward the long-term goal of building a fault-tolerant, general-purpose quantum computer. By reprinting chips, and making transitions from one specific task to another straightforward, it holds the promise of advancing quantum computing into practical applications across various industries.

At the end of the rainbow is a fault tolerant, general purpose quantum computer

SEEQC uses the primary colors to name its system releases. SEEQC System Red, the first of the primary colors and the name of the reference system successfully launched in 2022 making SEEQC a member of a very small club of only a handful of companies to have ever built a working, full stack, universal quantum computer.

The next iteration of this system, SEEQC Orange, will integrate SEEQC’s SFQ-based digital control and multiplexing circuits on-chip to eliminate the I/O overheads of SEEQC Red and other competing analog-based systems. It is scheduled to launch in December of 2023.

SEEQC Yellow advances the SFQ digital control and multiplexing circuits of SEEQC Orange to support higher fidelity operations and scaling while adding the world’s first digital on-chip qubit readout that digitizes the qubit signal at 20mK to deliver ultra-low latency and fast qubit readout and reset. This readout eliminates key bottlenecks to running efficiently real-time error correction, while also supporting an ultra-low latency interface to classical logic for hybrid applications. This system is due for delivery in 2024.

Image capture: Moses Harris, “The Natural System of Colours” (1776)

Introducing SEEQC Prism — firmware and software that enables full-stack quantum platform operations

SEEQC’s Prism is the world-first quantum platform built to support cryogenic logic in quantum computing. Built from the ground up it unlocks the power of quantum chips to support multiple verticals and applications and allows users can take full advantage of our advanced logic.

Optimized for SEEQC SFQ and cryoCMOS co-processors and designed to support vertical quantum application development utilizing SEEQC quantum computing chips.

It demonstrates SEEQC chip functionality and performance via SEECQ Red reference system and enables vertical applications in:

• Quantum simulation (drug discovery, new materials)
• Quantum machine learning (AI)
• Optimization (finance, logistics)

SEEQC's vision extends beyond the confines of quantum computing in isolation and recognizes the importance of harmonizing quantum computing with current infrastructure. Pioneering a heterogeneous computing environment that seamlessly blends GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), CPUs (Central Processing Units), and QPUs (Quantum Processing Units, this fusion of diverse computing platforms opens up a realm of possibilities for solving complex problems efficiently. Each platform's unique strengths come together to tackle challenges that were once deemed insurmountable.

SEECQ underscores the all-digital nature of its quantum computing approach. Quantum computing isn't seen as a standalone entity but rather as an integral component of the broader computing landscape.

This innovative approach bridges the gap between uniquely quantum algorithms and classical computing. It paves the way for a wide range of applications that can harness the combined power of both quantum and classical paradigms.

Collaborating with NVIDIA

SEEQC has embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with NVIDIA, a leader in the world of GPUs. Together, a new level of integration between quantum and classical computing is being created. This collaboration holds the promise of addressing critical issues such as latency, bandwidth, and speed. These factors are pivotal for real-time error correction and the efficient execution of quantum-classical algorithms.

Learn more about the partnership with SEEQC and NVIDIA

Digital Chip-to-Chip Interface

SEEQC's digital chip-to-chip interface between quantum and classical computing represents a game-changing development. It eliminates the limitations associated with analog interfaces, which often hinder quantum systems and demand extensive bandwidth.

This digital approach significantly reduces latency and interfaces while maintaining high bandwidth performance. It's a quantum leap in facilitating efficient quantum-classical computing.

Enhancing Quantum's Practicality

SEEQC's overarching goal is to make quantum computing an immediate and practical asset within existing infrastructure. By virtue of being chip-based and digital, SEEQC creates opportunities for innovative integrations.

The tight coupling of QPUs, CPUs, and GPUs is just one example of how SEEQC is expanding the potential of quantum computing within your computational ecosystem. SEEQC is focused on making quantum computing an integral and practical part of your current infrastructure.

By addressing challenges such as error correction and embracing strategic collaborations, like the one with NVIDIA, SEEQC is paving the way for scalable, energy-efficient quantum computing. This innovation seamlessly integrates with existing systems and unlocks a new realm of computational possibilities. SEEQC is bridging the gap between the quantum future and your current infrastructure, making the impossible possible.

Error Correction in Quantum Computing

SEEQC’s mission is to provide a universal solution that makes quantum computing accessible, efficient, and scalable for all. To this end, SEEQC’s quantum system on a chip solutions works seamlessly with all qubit modalities. Whether you are working with superconducting qubits, silicon spin qubits, photonics, trapped ions, neutral atoms, or topological qubits, SEEQC's architecture and chip solutions offer compatibility and adaptability. This versatility is a testament to the commitment to making quantum computing an accessible and universal technology.

Our mission extends beyond compatibility to optimization. SEEQC aims to enhance the performance of every quantum computer, regardless of its existing infrastructure. We are driven by the belief that quantum computing should be better, faster, and more cost-effective for everyone.

Building on a Foundation of Experience

SEEQC's vision is not just a lofty goal; it's built on a solid foundation of experience. The core team at SEEQC has taken technology from concept to product, building high-performance superconducting digital chip-based systems in the communications sector. This experience serves as a crucial asset in their journey to revolutionize quantum computing.

This expertise enables them to take the full functionality of quantum computing and integrate it into a chip-based architecture. The result is a seamless and efficient quantum solution that bridges the gap between classical and quantum computing.