Abstract: Quantum computation has potential to solve problems that are out of reach for today’s classical

computers. Many of the proposed applications for quantum computers (QCs), such as those in

chemistry, material science, and optimization, are capable of substantial human impact. However,

the full promise of quantum will only be realized if better qubits and QCs emerge that are capable

of large-scale computation. The roadmap to QC scaling does not only contain a single path but

many that run in parallel. In addition to pursuing devices with more qubits, quantum researchers

must 1) co-design software that pushes the frontier of existing machines and 2) build models that guide future QC design toward optimized performance. In this talk, I discuss the why, what, and how involved with scaling today’s QCs. First, I motivate the pursuit of quantum computing and

introduce fundamental concepts. Next, I present a case study that explores optimized quantum

circuit compilation, reducing decoherence via circuit slack. I show how quantum algorithms can

adapt to the unique characteristics of today’s QCs through optimized gate scheduling, leading to

significant improvements in success during runtime. In the third part of this talk, hardware

challenges that restrict the number qubits on-chip are highlighted. With a focus on fixed-frequency

transmon QCs, I explore the viability of modular architectures to scale quantum devices,

presenting promising results in terms of yield, gate performance, and application-based analysis.

Finally, an outlook is given on future directions in QC software and hardware co-design that aim

to accelerate progress toward achieving practical quantum machines.

Short Bio: Kaitlin is a quantum software manager at Super.tech, a software division of Infleqtion. From 2020-2022, she was an IBM and Chicago Quantum Exchange Postdoctoral Scholar in the University of
Chicago’s Department of Computer Science, advised by Prof. Fred Chong. She received a B.S. in both Mathematics and Electrical Engineering in 2014 and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering in 2015
from Southern Methodist University (SMU). In addition, she earned her Ph.D. in Electrical
Engineering at SMU in December 2019. Within the scope of quantum computing, Kaitlin’s
research interests are in computer architecture, distributed computing, technology-aware
programming, and security. Kaitlin is a co-author of the 2022 IEEE International Symposium on
High-Performance Computer Architecture (HPCA) Best Paper, named a 2021 MIT EECS Rising
Star, and the recipient of the 2021 IEEE Computer Society Technical Committee on Multiple
Valued Logic (TC-MVL) Kenneth C. Smith Early Career Award in Microelectronics.