Shor's quantum factoring algorithm on a photonic chip

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a compiled version of Shor's quantum factoring algorithm implemented on a photonic chip, successfully factoring the number 15 using four single-photon qubits, showcasing progress in quantum computing hardware.

Contribution

First implementation of Shor's algorithm on an integrated photonic chip, advancing quantum hardware for practical quantum computing applications.

Findings

Successfully factored 15 using photonic qubits

Demonstrated integrated quantum circuit for Shor's algorithm

Showed feasibility of scalable photonic quantum processors

Abstract

Shor's quantum factoring algorithm finds the prime factors of a large number exponentially faster than any other known method a task that lies at the heart of modern information security, particularly on the internet. This algorithm requires a quantum computer a device which harnesses the `massive parallelism' afforded by quantum superposition and entanglement of quantum bits (or qubits). We report the demonstration of a compiled version of Shor's algorithm on an integrated waveguide silica-on-silicon chip that guides four single-photon qubits through the computation to factor 15.