Microwaves in Quantum Computing

TL;DR

This paper reviews how microwave technologies are integral to quantum computing, focusing on three main platforms, highlighting recent progress, challenges, and how quantum computing advances have driven microwave technology development.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of microwave applications across different quantum computing platforms and discusses engineering challenges for scalable quantum computers.

Findings

Microwave systems are crucial for controlling quantum bits in various platforms.

Progress has been made in microwave device development for quantum applications.

Open challenges remain in microwave engineering for large-scale quantum computers.

Abstract

Quantum information processing systems rely on a broad range of microwave technologies and have spurred development of microwave devices and methods in new operating regimes. Here we review the use of microwave signals and systems in quantum computing, with specific reference to three leading quantum computing platforms: trapped atomic ion qubits, spin qubits in semiconductors, and superconducting qubits. We highlight some key results and progress in quantum computing achieved through the use of microwave systems, and discuss how quantum computing applications have pushed the frontiers of microwave technology in some areas. We also describe open microwave engineering challenges for the construction of large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers.