The QICK (Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit): Readout and control for qubits and detectors.

Area of Science:

• Quantum Computing
• Quantum Control Systems
• Solid-State Physics

Background:

• Accurate and efficient control of quantum bits (qubits) is essential for advancing quantum computing.
• Existing control systems often face limitations in frequency range, scalability, and latency.
• The development of integrated, high-performance control hardware is crucial for realizing fault-tolerant quantum computers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel, open-source qubit controller based on the Xilinx RF System-on-Chip (RFSoC).
• To enable direct synthesis of control pulses up to 6 GHz for controlling multiple qubits.
• To characterize the system's performance, including analog characteristics and digital latency, for quantum error correction applications.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit (QICK) utilizing an RFSoC FPGA.
• Implementation of custom firmware and software for pulse synthesis and device control.
• Characterization of analog performance, digital latency, and benchmarking on a transmon qubit.

Main Results:

• The QICK supports direct synthesis of control pulses with carrier frequencies up to 6 GHz.
• Characterization confirmed the system's analog performance and low digital latency.
• Benchmarking on a transmon qubit yielded an average gate fidelity of 99.93%.

Conclusions:

• The QICK provides a versatile and high-fidelity platform for controlling qubits and other quantum devices.
• The open-source nature of the schematics, firmware, and software facilitates wider adoption and development in the quantum community.
• This controller is well-suited for demanding quantum error correction and feedback protocols.