IETE Technical Review

ISSN: 0256-4602 (Print) 0974-5971 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/titr20

Quantum Computing in India: An Opportunity that

Should Not Be Missed

M. Jagadesh Kumar

To cite this article: M. Jagadesh Kumar (2014) Quantum Computing in India: An

Opportunity that Should Not Be Missed, IETE Technical Review, 31:3, 187-189, DOI:
10.1080/02564602.2014.926595

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02564602.2014.926595

Published online: 23 Jun 2014.

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 EDITORIAL COMMENTARY
Quantum Computing in India: An Opportunity that
Should Not Be Missed
The laws of quantum physics permit us to process
information using what is known as quantum comput-
ing. A quantum computer is different from a digital
computer that we are so familiar with. While quantum
computing sounds like a new technology, the fact is
that it is a mathematical approach to finding efficient
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solutions to computational problems.
Unlike the CMOS integrated circuit technology, which
is the backbone of todays communication revolution,
it is difficult to predict the trajectory of future develop-
ments in quantum computing. We must remember
that the exponential advances in CMOS technology,
during the last 60 years, are largely due to the evolu-
tion of planar technology based solely on silicon. The
historical lesson that we need to learn here is that
unless we zero-in on one or two possible technologies
using a material whose properties are well understood,
the evolution of any technology becomes unpredictable.
Unfortunately, during the last two decades, research-
ers have been grappling with too many alternate tech-
nological approaches (nearly 16 ways) from diverse
fields of science to realize quantum computers. Some
of these are based on electronic, optical, and NMR
experimental methods while others draw their
strength based on advances in semiconductor and
superconductor technologies. Our current inability to
make a clear choice from among the available technol-
ogies is an indication of our immature status in build-
ing a working quantum computer. Unless we narrow
down these approaches to a small band of realizable
technologies, a quantum computer will only remain as
an abstract idea.
To make quantum computing a reality in near future,
the following approaches are aggressively studied:
Josephson junction circuits, single-electron quantum
dots, and ion traps. Developments in nanotechnology
will, therefore, form the backbone for advancing and
realizing quantum computers. In addition, since quan-
tum computing is prone to errors due to imperfections
and noise, developing efficient algorithms to take care
IETE TECHNICAL REVIEW | VOL 31 | NO 3 | MAY JUN 2014
of quantum error corrections should be an inherent
part of any quantum computing initiative. The chal-
lenges for the research community, therefore, include
creating new models and quantum algorithms, sorting
out architectural issues, and developing technological
solutions if quantum computers are to become a
certainty.
From an experimental point of view, there are three
areas in which research needs to be focussed: (1) realiz-
ing qubits which are the elementary physical systems
of a quantum computer to hold information, (2) inter-
connects to pass information from one point to the
other in the physical platform on which qubits are fab-
ricated, and (3) scaling-up the quantum computing
systems. Interconnects in CMOS technology have
already become a major roadblock because they cannot
be scaled down at the same rate as the transistors. We
do not yet know what kind of obstacles will be faced
while designing the interconnects for a quantum com-
puter. Qubits are very volatile and can lose the infor-
mation very fast. This necessitates increasing the
computational speed which in turn is affected by how
these qubits are interconnected. Much of the research
effort now is focussed on realizing the stable qubits on
test beds. Broadly, the major research groups in vari-
ous parts of the world are working on: (1) supercon-
ducting qubits, (2) flux-based qubits, (3) charge-based
qubits, and (4) phase-based qubits.
Theories are being developed for scaling and fault-tol-
erant architectures for implementing better quantum
algorithms. Other challenging issues for theoreticians
include developing models for measurement and con-
trol of qubits particularly to minimize the impact of
noise and fabrication non-uniformities on the behaviour
of qubits. In quantum computing, developing theoreti-
cal approaches go hand-in-hand with experimental
advances.
There are very few groups working in India in the area
of quantum computing. During the last decade, there
were less than 100 international journal publications
187
 Kumar M J: Quantum Computing in India: An Opportunity that Should Not Be Missed
from India on quantum computing. This is less than
2% of research contribution from India to the worlds
research output. Within India, we need to identify
groups working in the area of computer algorithms,
physics, electronics, and materials engineering with
interests in quantum computing. It is a highly interdis-
ciplinary area. Computer scientists and mathemati-
cians need to work on algorithms, architectural issues
for scalable systems, data storage, and data transmis-
sion while others will focus on the physical realization
of the basic elements of the quantum computers.
Quantum computers can be realized using both top-
down approach (based on existing silicon CMOS tech-
nology) or bottom-up approach (self-assembly). If we
use top-down approaches, we are bound to face simi-
lar roadblocks common to highly scaled down silicon
technologies. Setting up of such nanoscale fabrication
facilities is very expensive running into more than
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US$6 billion. In India, the most cost effective method is
to encourage the research groups to focus on bottom-
up approaches. This will buoy up a large number of
researchers since they can establish the required facili-
ties with moderate cost. Existing expensive nanore-
search facilities in some of the IITs and IISc should be
encouraged to follow the top-down approach to realize
practical qubits and their chip-level integration.
Some of the important quantum computing research
concerns for India in the next 10 years, therefore,
should be:
(1) Develop basic technologies for realizing qubits.
(2) Integrate qubits and develop quantum computer
test beds by optimizing the architectural issues.
(3) Develop quantum algorithms and implement
them on quantum computer test beds to demon-
strate a prototype quantum computer that works
better than a digital computer.
(4) Parallel to this effort, we need to work on issues
related to noise, error correction algorithms, data
storage, and data communication within the quan-
tum computer and between the quantum
computers.
188
In addition, we should also give top priority to the
following:
(1) Identify the strengths and weaknesses of major
research groups working in Josephson junction cir-
cuits, single-electron quantum dots, and ion traps
and set appropriate milestones with sufficient
funding. Also encourage groups working with
approaches other than the above to realize quan-
tum computers.
(2) Encourage theoretical computer scientists and
mathematicians to work in close collaboration
with experimentalists.
(3) Have regular workshops and conferences among
the above groups.
(4) Establish national level high value fellowships to
encourage doctoral and postdoctoral researchers
to work in this area.
Developing quantum computational capacity should
be Indias top national priority simply because
acquiring such technologies from outside the country
will be too difficult and expensive. The use of quantum
computing can lead to many fundamental scientific
breakthroughs and new technologies with wide rang-
ing societal and commercial applications such as
data encryption, new drug discovery, and weather
prediction.
In order to keep track of international developments in
quantum computing and to assess and steer Indias
progress in this area, we need to have an Indian Quan-
tum Computing Roadmap Group consisting of acade-
micians, industry representatives, and end users.
Several research groups are working in India within
the broad area of nanotechnology with diffused goals.
The benefits of nanotechnology efforts could be chan-
nelled into a specific national goal if these research
groups turn their attention to quantum computing put-
ting India on the world map as a significant contribu-
tor towards advancing the quantum computing efforts.
M. Jagadesh Kumar
Editor-in-Chief, IETE Technical Review
IETE TECHNICAL REVIEW | VOL 31 | NO 3 | MAY JUN 2014
 Kumar M J: Quantum Computing in India: An Opportunity that Should Not Be Missed

Author
M. Jagadesh Kumar is currently the NXP
(Philips) chair professor established at IIT
Delhi by Philips Semiconductors, The Nether-
lands. His research interests include nanoelec-
tronic devices, device modelling and
simulation for nanoscale applications, inte-
grated-circuit technology, and power semicon-
ductor devices. Dr. Kumar is a fellow of the
Indian National Academy of Engineering, The
National Academy of Sciences, India, and the Institution of Electron-
ics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE), India. He is recognized
as a distinguished lecturer of the IEEE Electron Devices Society
(EDS). He is an editor of the IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices.
He was a recipient of the 29th IETE Ram Lal Wadhwa Gold Medal for
his distinguished contribution in the field of semiconductor device
design and modelling. He was also the first recipient of the India
Semiconductor Association VLSI Society of India TechnoMentor
Award given by the India Semiconductor Association to recognize a
distinguished Indian academician for playing a significant role as a
mentor and researcher. He is also a recipient of the 2008 IBM Faculty
Award.
E-mail: mamidala@ee.iitd.ac.in

DOI: 10.1080/02564602.2014.926595; Copyright 2014 by the IETE

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IETE TECHNICAL REVIEW | VOL 31 | NO 3 | MAY JUN 2014 189