EVALUATION OF A PHYSICAL QUANTUM COMPUTER

Abstract

In the past few years, IBM has expanded their Quantum Experience to include a high-level Python module called Qiskit as well as a 15-qubit machine (ibmq_16_melbourne). In order to evaluate IBM’s progress, we create an overview of the processes involved in developing and running an algorithm on IBM’s quantum machines. This includes exploring the new resources that IBM has made available recently including the Qiskit Python module. Then, we test textbook algorithms such as the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm, Grover’s search algorithm, and Quantum Fourier Transform on ibmq_16_melbourne and compare the results with the output of a simulator. Constraints imposed by IBM’s Quantum Experience and significant differences between algorithm performance on IBM's quantum hardware and the simulator will be used to assess IBM’s quantum computing capabilities.