An Optimizing Pulse Sequence Compiler for NMR QIP

Quantum information processing is a multi-disciplinary science involving physics, mathematics, computer science, and even quantum chemistry. It is centred around the idea of manipulating physical systems at the quantum level, either for simulation of physical systems, or numerical computation. Although it has been known for almost a decade that a quantum computer would enable the solution of problems deemed infeasible classically, constructing one has been beyond today’s capabilities. In this work we explore one proposed implementation of a quantum computer: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. We also develop a numerical software tool, a pulse sequence compiler, for use in the implementation of quantum computer programs on an NMR quantum computer. Our pulse sequence compiler takes as input the specifications of the molecule used as a quantum register, the desired quantum gate, and experimental data on the actual effects of RF pulses on a sample of the molecule, and outputs an optimum set of pre and post ‘virtual’ gates that minimize the error induced.