Single-mode Circuit Quantum Electrodynamics (CQED) Device for Quantum Sensing

*Please note the ISC Website will be available on May 31, 2023 at 10:30 EDT

This Challenge Notice is issued under the Innovative Solutions Canada Program (ISC) Call for Proposals 003 (EN578-20ISC3). For general ISC information, Bidders can visit the ISC website: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/101.nsf/eng/home
Please refer to the Solicitation Documents (https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/tender-notice/pw-2…) which contain the process for submitting a proposal.

Steps to apply:

Step 1: read this challenge

Step 2: : read the Call for Proposals: (https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/tender-notice/pw-2…)

Step 3: propose your solution here : (https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/innovative-solutions-canada/en/single-…)

Challenge title: Single-mode Circuit quantum electrodynamics (CQED) device for quantum sensing
Challenge sponsor: Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED)

Maximum contract value and travel tab: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/innovative-solutions-canada/en/fabrica…
Multiple contracts could result from this challenge.
Funding of up to $150,000.00 CAD for up to 6 months could be available for any Phase 1 contract resulting from this Challenge.
Estimated number of Phase 1 contract to be awarded: TBD

Funding of up to $1,000,000.00 CAD for up to 24 months could be available for any Phase 2 contract resulting from this Challenge. Only eligible businesses that received Phase 1 funding could be considered for Phase 2.
Estimated number of Phase 2 contracts to be awarded: To be determined
This disclosure is made in good faith and does not commit Canada to award any contract for the total approximate funding. Final decisions on the number of Phase 1 and Phase 2 awards will be made by Canada on the basis of factors such as evaluation results, departmental priorities and availability of funds.

Travel:
No traveling will be required in Phase 1.

Challenge Statement Summary
Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) is seeking a solution relying on a single bosonic mode to explore and demonstrate new quantum sensing protocols close to or beyond the Heisenberg limit. Circuit quantum electrodynamics (CQED) with superconducting qubits is the preferred platform for this challenge where controlled-displacement operations enable NRC researchers to test and search for novel quantum sensing protocols.

Challenge:
Problem statement
By leveraging quantum correlations in quantum systems, quantum sensors can provide increased sensitivity to improve the performances of various devices such as in gravimeters, gravitational wave detectors and atomic clocks. For testing the limits of quantum metrology and novel protocols access to a simple (single mode) and flexible (capable of various operations) is necessary.
ISC along with NRC's Security and Disruptive Technologies (SDT) research center has an interest in developing and benchmarking new methods and protocols to push the limits of quantum sensing. In this challenge, NRC is seeking a turn-key solution to single-mode resonator using superconducting qubits in a CQED architecture where arbitrary quantum states can be generated. The single mode sensor should be operated in the 7-10 GHz bandwidth and be controlled with an ancillary superconducting qubit to provide universal control.

Desired outcomes and considerations
Essential (mandatory) outcomes
The proposed solution must:
Essential outcomes

• Be able to implement a single-mode detector based on CQED in the 7-10 GHz bandwidth;
• Provide a gate with process fidelity of 90% or higher to enable universal protocols for state preparation
• Be long-lived such that 10 gates can be applied within the decoherence time of the control subsystems;
• Be turn-key with pre-defined and automated calibration of the single mode detector that enables non-specialist to operate
• Provide a programming framework and interface to control the device
• Provide access to 3 different coupling configurations for the single-mode sensor hardware

Additional outcomes
• Be accessible remotely.
• Provide the ability to benchmark generation of continuous variable quantum states (e.g. cat states).
• Be compatible with quantum transducers for coherent operation in the optical domain in the future.
• Offer long-lived single mode sensor where 20 universal gates can be applied within the decoherence time of the control subsystems.

Background & context
Quantum technologies promise disruptive technological progress in computing, secure communication, and sensing. In the near term, quantum technologies offer an unprecedented approach for further scientific discovery. Within the context of this challenge, a quantum computing platform based on CQED in superconducting devices is selected for quantum sensing at its fundamental limits. An addition to foundational interest in exploring limits of quantum sensing, these quantum sensing applications will result in accurate characterization and benchmarking of these quantum computing platforms. This step is essential in improving quantum state preparation and manipulation on these devices which will be critical for fault-tolerant quantum computation and for enabling all if its expected advantages. The proposed challenge will require to develop a quantum computing platform for quantum sensing at its fundamental limits with a potential impact on further development of these devices for fault-tolerant quantum computation.