[CS] Jason Chadwick Candidacy Exam/Nov 12, 2025

[via cs]

This is an announcement of Jason Chadwick's Candidacy Exam.
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Candidate: Jason Chadwick

Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Time: 11 am CST

Remote Location: https://uchicago.zoom.us/j/6803345759?pwd=djJpQkZYbFBCeDhDVWszYUp5VG1zdz09

Location: JCL 223

Title: Realistic Cross-Stack Architectural Design for Scalable Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computation

Abstract: The immense challenge of scaling from today’s noisy intermediate-scale quantum processors to a large fault-tolerant machine requires more than just improving physical qubit quality. While recent advances in quantum error correction (QEC) theory and architecture are slowly lowering the prohibitive requirements of practical quantum computing, much of this research is still largely abstracted away from the specifics of the physical implementations of the qubits, which can lead to unexpected inefficiencies and impractical designs. Error correction theory often relies on abstract error models which leave out critical error mechanisms that occur on real hardware, like burst errors from cosmic rays. Moreover, today's physical hardware lacks some of the crucial capabilities, such as connectivity between specific pairs of distant qubits. that would enable the most compelling error correction protocols.
 
To bridge this disconnect, I propose a holistic, cross-stack approach where the error correction protocols and the physical hardware are designed in concert. By creating detailed, realistic models of quantum devices and using them to co-design hardware-aware solutions at the lowest levels of the software stack, we can accelerate the path towards scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computation. In this talk, I will discuss my recent work across the hardware-QEC landscape and propose the study of several novel device architectures that match qubit modalities to practical and efficient QEC protocols.

Advisors: Fred Chong

Committee Members: Fred Chong, Bill Fefferman, Jonathan Baker