Chapter 593

At the beginning, traditional computers have gone through a long process from being successfully developed to officially entering thousands of households.

The same is true for quantum computers.

Quantum computers have just been successfully developed, and the field of quantum computers has only entered the Bronze Age.

When quantum computers are miniaturized and can enter the homes of ordinary people with their low price and small size, it can be said that they have truly entered the golden age of the quantum computer era.

And according to Gu Lu's estimate.

It will take four or five years at the earliest.

This is the same as the Bohai Tunnel Project and the Chang'e Lunar Exploration Program that Gu Lu participated in, which is a long-term engineering project.

The ultimate goal of the Chang'e lunar exploration program is to achieve a manned landing on the moon and build a space station on the moon.

Quantum computer engineering, on the other hand, is about the same.

The ultimate goal is to reduce the size of the computer host, reduce the cost and price, and let the whole people enter the era of quantum computers.

This is a great and distant goal.

But over time, this goal will one day be achieved.

…………

Ai Liang nodded, indicating that he understood the meaning of Gu Lu's words just now.

After a while, Ai Liang returned to the topic of miniaturization of quantum computers.

"Gu Lu, do you have any insights on the miniaturization of quantum computers?"

Gu Lu's attainments in the field of quantum computers are beyond doubt.

This was already evident in the previous nearly a year of project research.

And even Ai Liang, an extremely arrogant existence, admired Gu Lu's strength.

Therefore, when facing the major issue of quantum computer miniaturization, Ai Liang subconsciously asked Gu Lu's opinion.

What about the miniaturization of quantum computers......

After hearing Ai Liang's words, Gu Lu's fingers tapped on the bed irregularly, and his heart fell into thought.

The miniaturization of quantum computers is the top priority in the next stage of quantum computer research.

And during the time Gu Lu was hospitalized, he was not just bored lying on the hospital bed and brushing up on forums and chasing dramas.

Regarding the miniaturization of quantum computers, Gu Lu has carefully considered and thought about it in the past few days.

First, back to the problem itself.

Why should quantum computers be miniaturized?

A: Quantum computers are just too big!

As mentioned earlier, quantum computers are similar to traditional computers.

Looking back on the history of computer development, the electronic computer was just invented in the 50s of the 20th century, and the first electronic computer "ENIAC" covered an area of more than 170 square meters, and it has only become a device that can be held in the hand.

At present, quantum computers, which are in their infancy, seem to be repeating the story of the past——- to achieve precise control of quantum chips, the instruments and equipment that need to be used must also occupy the entire room.

Taking history as a mirror, the miniaturization of quantum computers is imperative!

This is why quantum computers are being miniaturized.

You can't expect an ordinary person to make a space of nearly 100 square meters for a quantum computer in order to control a quantum computer.

It's not realistic.

And then there's the second question.

What parts of the quantum computer need to be miniaturized.

Here, first of all, there is a clear question.

Semiconductor quantum chips, which are the core devices of quantum computers, are not the object of miniaturization by Gu Lu and others.

Because the volume of semiconductor quantum chips is not large.

Even the largest 30-bit qubit semiconductor chip at present is only a few cubic centimeters in size, which is not worth mentioning at all the nearly 100 cubic meters of quantum computers.

In fact, what quantum computers really need to be miniaturized is all the external hardware of quantum computers except quantum chips.

Taken together, these pieces of hardware can be collectively called the control system of a quantum computer.

Gu Lu explained to Ai Liang, "In fact, quantum chips are the same as traditional computer CPUs, and they need a control system to support them when they work normally, just like our computer hosts have a series of hardware such as motherboards, memory, and power supplies, which provide an environment for the processor to play its functions." ”

"Quantum chips also need such an environment, and we define this environment as a quantum computer control system, so ......"

Ai Liang's eyes lit up and he answered, "So, we only need to integrate the control system composed of all the hardware components of these quantum computers except for quantum chips into the same machine, and we can realize the first step of quantum computer miniaturization!"

"That's right!" Gu Lu snapped his fingers and exclaimed, "Integrating the control system of a quantum computer into a single machine will not only reduce the floor space, but also reduce the cost a lot." ”

"Give me a piece of paper. Gu Lu stretched out his hand to Ai Liang.

Ai Liang hurriedly took out a stack of experimental report papers from his briefcase and handed it to Gu Lu.

Gu Lu casually took out one and sketched a simple picture with a pen in a relaxed and freehand manner.

"Ai Liang, you see, after we have integrated many equipment and hardware into one instrument, this is probably what it looks like. ”

"The most basic function of this instrument is to provide the key signals required for the operation of the quantum chip, and at the same time is responsible for the processing of the information transmitted back by the quantum chip and the compilation of the quantum computer program. ”

Gu Lu's pen tapped on the small table in front of him and said with a smile, "That is to say, the quantum measurement and control all-in-one machine provides the generation, collection, control and processing of precision signals required by the quantum chip by providing the operating environment and interface of the quantum chip, so that the quantum chip can maximize its performance advantages." ”

Ai Liang listened to Gu Lu's narration, and a touch of admiration appeared in his eyes.

And Gu Lu is still explaining to himself.

"Ai Liang, look here, this machine, I plan to adopt a modular design, which contains four functional modules, a total of 40 functional channels, and the functional channels are interconnected and integrated through the PCIE high-speed expansion bus. ”

"It can directly support the operation of 30-bit semiconductor quantum chips. And in the process of use, it can also be upgraded to a maximum of 200 channels to support higher performance quantum chips. ”

Gu Lu looked at Ai Liang, whose eyes were faintly dull, and said with a light smile, "According to my calculations, this machine should be able to undertake the operation of up to fifty qubit chips. ”

Fifty-bit qubit ......

Ai Liang was completely stunned.

Ai Liang just wanted to ask Gu Lu for his opinion, but he didn't expect that Gu Lu directly pointed out a practical path to him.

According to Ai Liang's professional knowledge, the machine that Gu Lu said integrates the quantum computer control system into one piece is highly feasible.

"What's this machine called?" Ai Liang asked.

"Just call him, quantum measurement and control all-in-one machine!" Gu Lu smiled faintly.