Literature review: Advancements in Quantum Computing

Abstract
1.introduction
2.Materials and Methods
3.results
4.discussion
5.conclusions
Declaration of competing interest
References
Literature review: Quantum Computing - Advancements

Anupam Mahato
Netaji Subhash Engineering College, Garia, West Bengal

Abstract
This literature review provides a comprehensive overview of recent
advancements and persistent challenges in the field of quantum computation.
Recent years have witnessed significant progress in quantum hardware
development, error correction techniques, quantum algorithms, and quantum
networking. Notable advancements include the demonstration of quantum
supremacy using programmable superconducting processors, the development
of fault-tolerant quantum error correction codes, and the proposal of novel
quantum algorithms for various applications. However, several challenges hinder
the widespread adoption and practical implementation of quantum
computation. These challenges include decoherence, scalability of quantum
systems, reliability of quantum hardware, algorithm design, and software
development. Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary
collaboration and continued research efforts to unlock the full potential of
quantum computation for real-world applications. This review integrates insights
from recent research articles, conference papers, and authoritative texts to
provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state and future
directions of quantum computation.
Introduction
In recent decades, there has been a growing buzz surrounding the potential of
quantum computing to revolutionize various sectors of society, including
chemistry, defense, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and industry. Quantum
computing represents a burgeoning technology with a robust foundation: (i) the
underlying physics and computing theory are well-established and increasingly
put into practical use, and (ii) there is a rising production of quantum computers
that are continuously evolving and improving. These advancements are bringing
quantum computers closer to achieving "quantum supremacy," a milestone
where a universal quantum computer accomplishes a computational task
beyond the capabilities of any classical computer .Despite
advancements ,several challenges persist in the field of quantum computation.
References
[1]
Materials and Methods
To identify, evaluate, and interpret the studies available in the literature, the
methodology proposed by Kitchenham et al. is used, thus organizing it into
planning, conducting, and reporting the study. While working on this systematic
literature review, we used Parsifal (https://parsif.al/) to manage traceability and
Mendeley (https://www. mendeley.com/) as the bibliographic manager.
Total 30 articles , obtained from IEEE Digital Library, Web of Science, Science
Direct, IBM Quantum Network Papers, and some articles from other sources
published between 2017 and 2023
The field of quantum computing is a recent field compared with classical
computing. For this reason, I will focus on the advances and problems.
Fundamental Concept of Quantum Computing
The fundamentals of gate-based quantum computation, relies on five key
concepts: Programming Quantum Information using Gate Operations,
Superposition, Measurement, Interference, and Entanglement. Quantum gate
operations, akin to classical logic gates, manipulate qubits to encode
information. Through gate operations, superposition is achieved, allowing
information to exist as a probabilistic combination of 0 and 1. Measurement
collapses quantum information into a readable state, necessitating repeated
calculations to gather statistics. Decoherence, caused by unwanted interactions,
limits qubit information retention, quantified by lifetimes T1 and T2. The wave-
like nature of information in qubits enables interference manipulation,
facilitating the development of new algorithms like Grover's search algorithm,
which exploits interference to search for and amplify correct solutions
simultaneously.

A different type of gate-based quantum computing can be used, focusing on the

creation of entanglement between qubits. Entanglement allows for a linear
combination of all possible permutations of qubit values, significantly increasing
storage efficiency and computational power. Gate-based quantum computing is
currently the most versatile type, with potential applications in various fields.
While the assimilation of quantum computing skills may take time, recent
advancements suggest that quantum computers may soon rival high-
performance computing in certain tasks. Scenario planning by governments
recognize risks to data encrypted with standard algorithms, to be decipherable
by quantum computers as soon as 2030 and are pursuing new encryption
algorithms standards.3

Advancements
1.Advancements in Quantum Computing Technologies
The past two years have witnessed a surge in breakthroughs in enabling
technologies, accelerating the timeline for achieving significant quantum
advantage for various users. Let us consider the example of simulating a simple
diatomic molecule's ground state energy or spins. Back in 2017, researchers were
able to simplify the problem by leveraging their knowledge of the molecule's
symmetry, leading to a more manageable algorithm. While the results matched
classical computer calculations and real-world experiments, they were not as
precise. [4]

Fast forward to 2021: advancements in algorithms, error-reduction techniques

[5], and hardware led to a staggering 120x speedup and improved accuracy [6].
In June 2023, a groundbreaking milestone was reached. IBM, collaborating with
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's National Energy Research Scientific
Computing Center (NERSC) and Purdue University, demonstrated for the first
time that quantum computers can deliver accurate results using over 100 qubits.

These findings have also spurred the development of new classical algorithms for
HPC material simulations, leading to increased precision on the classical side as
well. It is crucial to remember that both HPC and quantum computing fields must
advance in tandem, as many material simulations require the combined power of
both technologies. [13]

2.Error Detection and Correction

Quantum computing holds immense promise for tackling problems intractable
for classical computers. However, a significant hurdle in realizing this potential
lies in the inherent fragility of quantum information. Qubits, the building blocks
of quantum computers, are susceptible to errors from interactions with the
environment. These errors, if not addressed, can lead to inaccurate computations,
and render the results useless. Therefore, robust error detection and correction
techniques are crucial for achieving reliable and scalable quantum computers.
This review explores the challenges of error detection and correction (ED&C) in
quantum computation, examines existing techniques, and discusses current
research directions aimed at overcoming these challenges.

1. Types of Quanta Errors:

Several types of errors can plague qubits, each affecting the quantum state
differently:

Bit-flip errors: These errors flip the state of a qubit from 0 to 1 or vice versa (Li
et al., 2017).

Phase-flip errors: These errors introduce a shift in the phase of a qubit's

wavefunction, affecting the overall computation (Mays et al., 2020).

Bit-phase-flip errors: A combination of both bit-flips and phase-flips (Aliferov et

al., 2019).

2. Error Detection Techniques:

The first step in ED&C involves identifying the presence of errors. Common
techniques include:

Quantum Error-Correcting Codes (QECCs): These codes encode the information

stored in a qubit using additional qubits, allowing for the detection of errors
through specific measurements (Gottesman & Fault-Tolerant Quantum
Computation Group, 2009).

Parity Checks: By performing measurements on specific combinations of qubits,

inconsistencies can be detected, indicating potential errors (Fowler et al., 2012).

3. Error Correction Techniques:

Once errors are detected, they need to be rectified:

Logical vs. Physical Qubits: Logical qubits are encoded using multiple physical
qubits. By manipulating the physical qubits based on the QECC, the overall
logical qubit state can be corrected without directly measuring it (Kitaev, 2003).

Fault-Tolerant Methods: These methods aim to correct errors while minimizing

the introduction of new errors. This often involves complex sequences of
operations on multiple qubits (Dennis et al., 2002).
4. Challenges in ED&C:

Overhead: Implementing QECCs adds significant overhead to quantum circuits,

requiring more qubits and operations (Bravyi, 2005).

Scalability: As the number of qubits increases, error correction becomes

exponentially more complex (Gottesman & Fault-Tolerant Quantum
Computation Group, 2009).

Threshold Theorem: There exists a theoretical threshold for error rates below
which fault-tolerant error correction can be achieved. Current technologies
struggle to meet this threshold (Knill et al., 2005).

5. Current Research Directions:

Developing more efficient QECCs: Reducing the overhead associated with error
correction is an active area of research (Calderbank & Shor, 1996).

Improved Error Mitigation Techniques: These techniques aim to suppress the

occurrence of errors in the first place, lessening the burden on correction methods
(Wang et al., 2023).

Hardware Advancements: Reducing inherent error rates in qubits themselves will

make error correction less demanding (Kelly et al., 2019).

Dennis, E., Kitaev, A., & Preskill, J. (2002). Fault-tolerant error correction for
quantum computations. arXiv preprint arXiv: quant-ph/0110143.

3.Upcoming Advancements
The field of quantum computing is experiencing a surge in progress, with
advancements paving the way for exciting applications across various
timeframes.

Near-Term Horizon (Late 2024-2025): Recent breakthroughs have accelerated

the timeline for achieving significant quantum advantage. By early 2025, the
fidelity of Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) is expected to reach a staggering
99.99% or higher. These advancements will pave the way for the development of
chips capable of tackling complex problems by breaking them down into smaller,
solvable subcomponents of around 100 qubits. Additionally, novel modular
architectures are being designed to facilitate parallelization (with classical
communication) of circuit execution. This, combined with the latest
advancements in circuit knitting and error correction methods, will enable the
implementation of practical use cases on 100-qubit superconducting quantum
processors with a circuit depth of 100 layers. The research community is actively
exploring potential applications that will be feasible on these enhanced systems
by late 2024-2025.

Mid-Term Horizon (Beyond NISQ Era): Looking towards the mid-term horizon,
researchers are pursuing the development of a quantum computer with tens of
thousands of qubits, coupled with robust error correction capabilities. This would
propel us beyond the NISQ era and into the fault-tolerant era. Such powerful
devices would unlock the potential to implement algorithms like Shor's algorithm
at a significant scale, enabling us to tackle a wider range of problems, including
potentially breaking RSA encryption.[76]

Long-Term Vision: On the long-term horizon, academics are exploring ways to

directly feed quantum information from quantum sensors and sources into qubits.
This would open doors to entirely new applications for quantum computing,
further expanding its potential impact.
References
[1] A. W. A. Harrow, "Quantum computational supremacy," Nature, vol. 549, no.
7471, pp. 203-209, 2017.

References

[1] A. W. A. Harrow, "Quantum computational supremacy," Nature, vol. 549, no.

7471, pp. 203-209, 2017.
[4] V. R. T. S. K. O. J. K. D. D. A. M. B. Y. N. Y. a. I. S. M. S. Blok, "Quantum
Information Scrambling on a Superconducting Qutrit Processor," PHYSICAL
REVIEW , vol. x, no. 11, pp. 1-20, 2021.