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  • Jan
    30

    CS Seminar: "An architect's perspective on quantum computer scaling: why, what, and how?" Kaitlin Smith

    Department of Computer Science (CS)

    12:00 PM 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)

    EVENT DETAILS

    Monday / CS Seminar
    January 30th / 12PM
    Hybrid / Mudd 3514

    Title: An architect’s perspective on quantum computer scaling: why, what, and how?

    Speaker: Kaitlin Smith

    Zoom Link

    Livestream

    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, we discuss the why, what, and how involved with scaling today’s QCs. First, we motivate the pursuit of quantum computing and introduce fundamental concepts. Next, we present a case study that explores optimized quantum circuit compilation, reducing decoherence via circuit slack. We 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, we highlight hardware challenges that restrict the number qubits on-chip. With a focus on fixed-frequency transmon QCs, we explore the viability of modular architectures to scale quantum devices, presenting promising results in terms of yield, gate performance, and application-based analysis. Finally, we close with an outlook on future research directions in the space of QC software and hardware co-design that aim to accelerate progress toward achieving practical quantum machines.


    Biography:
    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 a recipient of the 2021 IEEE Computer Society Technical Committee on Multiple Valued Logic (TC-MVL) Kenneth C. Smith Early Career Award in Microelectronics.

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    TIME Monday, January 30, 2023 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

    LOCATION 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)    map it

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    CONTACT Wynante R Charles    wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)

  • Mar
    27

    Spring Break Ends

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Monday, March 27, 2023

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Mar
    27

    CS Seminar: Designing Formally Correct Intermittent Systems (Milijana Surbatovich)

    Department of Computer Science (CS)

    12:00 PM 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Monday, March 27, 2023 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

    LOCATION 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)    map it

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    CONTACT Wynante R Charles    wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)

  • Mar
    28

    Spring Classes begin 8 a.m. (Northwestern Monday: Classes scheduled to meet on Mondays meet on this day)

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Tuesday, March 28, 2023

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Apr
    3

    CS Seminar: AI for Scientists: Accelerating Discovery through Knowledge, Data & Learning (Jennifer J. Sun)

    Department of Computer Science (CS)

    10:00 AM 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Monday, April 3, 2023 at 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    LOCATION 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)    map it

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    CONTACT Wynante R Charles    wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)

  • Apr
    21

    How ChatGPT and Generative AI Will Change Legal Services

    McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

    9:00 AM Levy Mayer Hall

    EVENT DETAILSmore info

    TIME Friday, April 21, 2023 at 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

    LOCATION Levy Mayer Hall    map it

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    CONTACT Daniel W. Linna Jr.    daniel.linna@law.northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

  • Apr
    28

    Bagel Friday

    Department of Computer Science (CS)

    9:30 AM 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Friday, April 28, 2023 at 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    LOCATION 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)    map it

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    CONTACT Wynante R Charles    wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)

  • May
    29

    No classes - Memorial Day

    University Academic Calendar

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    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Monday, May 29, 2023

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Jun
    1

    CS End of Year Ice Cream Social

    Department of Computer Science (CS)

    1:00 PM

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

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    CONTACT Wynante R Charles    wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)

  • Jun
    3

    Spring classes end

    University Academic Calendar

    All Day

    EVENT DETAILS

    TIME Saturday, June 3, 2023

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    CONTACT Office of the Registrar    nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR University Academic Calendar

  • Jun
    11

    Northwestern Engineering PhD Hooding and Master's Degree Recognition Ceremony

    McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

    1:30 PM Welsh-Ryan Arena/McGaw Memorial Hall

    EVENT DETAILSmore info

    TIME Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

    LOCATION Welsh-Ryan Arena/McGaw Memorial Hall    map it

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    CONTACT Northwestern Engineering Events    northwestern-engineering-events@northwestern.edu EMAIL

    CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science