Hands-On Quantum Computing Learning

A hands-on introduction to quantum computing promotes more immediately applicable expertise, opening opportunities for non-graduate-level workers. However, a common misconception holds that the instrumentation used to study quantum computing is too expensive, its use too complicated, or its burden of ownership too high, to be accessible to undergraduate students.

Accordingly, quantum computing and quantum science in general has not been the focal point of many dedicated educational labs. However, It can be easy to build an undergraduate lab — based on single NV centers in diamond — that is cost effective, robust, and straightforward to maintain.

This allows students to work with individual qubits (the NV center electrons) to perform key operations achieved in quantum computing such as single-qubit manipulations or simple two-qubit gate operations (which additionally employs the NV center nuclear spin and additional RF-frequency equipment). This is a monumental learning opportunity for students, laying the foundations of the skills necessary to continue studying quantum physics.