Chapter 223 You are a gold brick in scientific research
Xu You knew that it must be because the news of the successful research on the molding process of 202K superconducting materials had reached Han Shubin's ears.
This is undoubtedly a very important achievement for the island project.
This is one of the few projects that can afford such expensive materials.
Of course, in the long run, if materials with higher superconducting critical temperatures can be used, this may be a technology that can reduce costs.
Han Shubin was in a very good mood when he met Xu You.
"Xu You, you attended an academic exchange conference a few days ago and had direct exchanges with several Nobel Prize winners? This time you are really the face of the Chinese academic community. We academicians can't reach your level."
"Thank you for the compliment, Academician Han."
"No, your future will definitely be brighter than all of ours. It's a pity that I couldn't leave in the past few days, otherwise I would have gone to listen to your speech in person."
Xu You still remembered that at the island plan meeting two years ago, Han Shubin was the focus of the whole meeting, and he was just brought by Wang Xiangwu to attend the meeting.
Unexpectedly, two years later, Xu You had achieved a leap in status , and even Han Shubin wanted to listen to his meetings from below.
After the two chatted about the academic exchange meeting for a while, Han Shubin talked about the reason why he came to see Xu You.
"Xu You, I have informed the higher-ups and would like to invite you to come and help out with the island project. The island project is currently in a critical stage, and the superconducting project is a little easier recently, so you don't need to do too many tasks. Of course, if there is a need there, you can go back right away. Xu You, what do you think?"
"Of course, Academician Han. I am just a brick in scientific research and I will be moved wherever I am needed." Xu You said with a smile.
"Even if you are a brick, you are a gold brick. Then let me tell you about the current progress and difficulties of the project."
"Okay, Academician Han."
"After our discussion, we have decided to focus on superconducting quantum computers. This does not mean that we have completely given up on photonic quantum computers. It is just that for now, superconducting quantum computers are definitely more promising in the short term and are easier to put into practical use. Our current plan is to build a superconducting quantum computer with more than 1,000 qubits next year."
"More than 1,000?" Xu You asked in surprise.
Xu You remembered that China's previous generation of superconducting quantum computer, Wenyuan 2, had only 66 bits.
How can the number of bits be increased so many times in just one go?
"That's right. Originally, we only wanted to achieve more than 100 in this generation, but with the support of multiple technologies, we are fully capable of achieving more than 1,000. You have made a great contribution to this. When the basic technology is sufficiently developed, the number of quantum bits can easily increase exponentially."
For a quantum computer, the impact of the number of quantum bits on performance cannot be said to be absolute, and it is also related to other conditions such as the accuracy of the bit gate.
But each additional qubit doubles the potential power of a quantum processor.
Therefore, major institutions researching quantum computers are working hard to create quantum computers with more bits.
"Xu You, we are currently developing a new type of quantum chip. The process of quantum chips is very complicated and requires the joint efforts of a team, but I believe that you should have a lot of knowledge about quantum chips at present, and your joining will definitely be of great help to the project."
Xu You has already completed learning all the knowledge about quantum chips in his spare time.
"Academician Han, I have learned all the theoretical knowledge, but many things still require on-site practice to understand the specific operation methods."
"Of course. Once you have arranged your schedule, you can come to my place and participate in the project."
Afterwards, Xu You reported the matter to Xing Shuping and Qiao Sen respectively.
Upon learning that Xu You was going to participate in another national project, Xing Shuping and Qiao Sen had no objections.
On the superconducting project side, the key issues have been solved by Xu You, so Xu You doesn't need to worry too much for the time being.
After dealing with things here, Xu You came to the new project team - the Island Planning Project.
This time, Xu You did not appear as the backbone chief researcher as he did in the superconducting project.
Instead, with Han Shubin's help, it is possible to understand the specific research methods of various steps in the actual development of superconducting quantum computers.
Especially in the area of quantum chips, this is the problem that Xu You needs to focus on helping Han Shubin solve.
Because so far, the research on quantum chips around the world is still in a relatively early stage of exploration.
The various technologies are not very mature.
Therefore, the gap between us and foreign countries in quantum chips is not insurmountable.
Compared with classic chips, it is relatively easy to catch up.
Roughly speaking, China is still three or four years away from the international leading level in terms of quantum chips.
The success of this island plan is very critical.
If in the future, quantum chips will be dominated by foreign companies like traditional chips.
The costs we will have to pay in the future are probably unimaginable.
The bottleneck phenomenon will become more serious.
"So far, there is no mature quantum chip EDA software on the market. Our independently developed quantum chip EDA tool has upgraded its functions based on traditional design and simulation, and includes a self-developed quantum chip core simulation program," said Han Shubin.
Like traditional chips, the design of quantum chips also requires EDA software.
In the production and manufacturing process, due to the particularity of quantum chips, highly specialized engineers are required to gradually debug the working process parameters.
In these areas, Xu You could not easily help.
Han Shubin did not expect Xu You to be able to help with production and manufacturing, but more with theory and design.
After a period of internship, Xu You has fully understood the design, production and manufacturing of the entire quantum chip.
At this time, Han Shubin explained to Xu You the main problem currently encountered with quantum chips.
"Xu You, you know that the computing power of a quantum computer is determined by the number of quantum bits and the fidelity of each quantum bit. Currently, we are able to achieve more than 1,000 quantum bits. However, as the number of quantum bits increases, we encounter another problem."
"Academician Han, is the fidelity of the single bit affected?"
Hearing Xu You's words, Han Shubin also nodded.
