A Software Methodology for Compiling Quantum Programs

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive software architecture for compiling high-level quantum programs into hardware-specific instructions, enabling scalable quantum algorithm implementation and fostering innovation across quantum computing disciplines.

Contribution

It presents a novel layered software methodology for quantum program compilation, bridging high-level algorithms and hardware-specific instructions, adaptable to various quantum hardware platforms.

Findings

Facilitates scalable compilation of complex quantum algorithms

Supports rapid innovation among quantum researchers and engineers

Provides a flexible, hardware-agnostic compilation framework

Abstract

Quantum computers promise to transform our notions of computation by offering a completely new paradigm. To achieve scalable quantum computation, optimizing compilers and a corresponding software design flow will be essential. We present a software architecture for compiling quantum programs from a high-level language program to hardware-specific instructions. We describe the necessary layers of abstraction and their differences and similarities to classical layers of a computer-aided design flow. For each layer of the stack, we discuss the underlying methods for compilation and optimization. Our software methodology facilitates more rapid innovation among quantum algorithm designers, quantum hardware engineers, and experimentalists. It enables scalable compilation of complex quantum algorithms and can be targeted to any specific quantum hardware implementation.