Personal tools

Difference between revisions of "Finite Element Simulations of Transistors for Quantum Computing"

From iis-projects

Jump to: navigation, search
Line 1: Line 1:
 
==Short Description==
 
==Short Description==
At IBM Research – Zurich the Neuromorphic Devices & Systems group is working on an implementation of a neural network based on integrated silicon photonic technology. Recently we developed integrated, multi-level optical synaptic elements. These elements will be embedded in an optical neural network.
+
We want to use the Finite Element Method (FEM) for numerical simulations of transistors to be used for quantum
In a first part of the Master thesis, you will address the characterization of such weighting elements. During this task, you will measure the device transmission, set up and perform the electro-optical measurements and analyze your measurement results. In a second task, you will design an interface between hardware and software to control multiple of these elements in parallel. Therefore, designing of electrical connections, programming of microcontrollers, as well as setting up an interfacing software will be required.
+
computing. The existing C++ code at IIS that solves this quantum transport problem is based on finite differences.  
 +
However, compared to finite differences, FEM employs unstructured meshes that allow for more complicated
 +
geometries and local refinement.
 +
The project aims at supporting the development the current code and running the numerical simulations.
 +
 
  
 
==The Big Picture-Neuromorphic Computing==
 
==The Big Picture-Neuromorphic Computing==
  
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability to perform tasks that are generally associated with intelligent beings. Recently, bio- and neuro-inspired (neuromorphic) algorithms have attracted considerable attention with their ability to extract structure and knowledge from huge unstructured data sets by relying solely on limited domain expert knowledge. To execute these new algorithms efficiently at the large scale required in datacenters or, for example, to interpret sensor data locally in embedded, very low-power devices, we need novel neuromorphic compute architectures and hardware.
+
The idea of quantum computing is to associate a bit to a two-state quantum phenomenon (a “qu-bit”), so that any
To compute and train neuromorphic and AI algorithms, digital processors (CPUs, GPUs, TPUs, FPGAs and ASICs) are used today. One promising alternative to the large, costly and power-hungry digital logic is analog computing, where computationally expensive operations are offloaded to specialized accelerators comprising analog elements with the promise to accelerate existing schemes by factors of 1000 to 10,000. Non-volatile synaptic elements are at the core of such novel computing systems.
+
linear combination between the two states is allowed and more information can be conveyed than a classical bit.
 +
The SPIN project is a new collaboration between Swiss institutions to build silicon-based transistors that can act as
 +
quantum devices, so to rely on existing hardware for quantum computers. Specifically, at IIS we plan to simulate
 +
these transistors numerically: the best models are then going to be manufactured by IBM Research.
  
==The Environment-IBM Research Zurich==
+
==Type of Work==
IBM Research GmbH, Zurich Research Laboratory (ZRL), with approximately 350 employees, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the IBM Research division with headquarters at the T.J. Watson Research Centre in Yorktown Heights, NY, USA. ZRL, which was established in 1956, represents the European branch of IBM Research. At ZRL scientific and industrial research is conducted in five scientific and technical departments, in particular in the: Science and Technology department.
+
: Theory and mathematical formulation: 20%
 +
: C++ code development: 40%
 +
: Numerical simulations: 40%
  
 
Throughout the history of this department, scientists have made major contributions to the advancement of knowledge in solid-state physics, stimulated by problems relevant to technology. Today research focuses on different areas of technological significance, such as photonics and optoelectronics, CMOS and post-CMOS, micro fabrication, packaging and life sciences. This effort is supported by the newly opened Binnig and Rohrer Nanotechnology Centre, offering state of the art micro fabrication yet with the required flexibility for any research at the frontier between industrial and academic research.
 
Throughout the history of this department, scientists have made major contributions to the advancement of knowledge in solid-state physics, stimulated by problems relevant to technology. Today research focuses on different areas of technological significance, such as photonics and optoelectronics, CMOS and post-CMOS, micro fabrication, packaging and life sciences. This effort is supported by the newly opened Binnig and Rohrer Nanotechnology Centre, offering state of the art micro fabrication yet with the required flexibility for any research at the frontier between industrial and academic research.
Line 17: Line 26:
  
 
===Status: Available ===
 
===Status: Available ===
: Looking for 1 Master student
+
: Looking for 1 Master/semester student
: Interested candidates please contact: [mailto:sab@zurich.ibm.com Dr. Stephan Abel]
+
: Interested candidates please contact: [mailto:dcasati@iis.ee.ethz.ch  Dr Daniele Casati]
 
: ETH Contact: [[:User:Mluisier | Mathieu Luisier]]
 
: ETH Contact: [[:User:Mluisier | Mathieu Luisier]]
  
Line 29: Line 38:
  
 
===Prerequisites===
 
===Prerequisites===
We are seeking a candidate with a strong interest in integrated optics as well as basic knowledge of microcontroller programming, object-oriented programming and circuit design. You should be enrolled as a student at ETH Zurich. For this master project you should be available for a period of at least 6 months starting in Fall 2018.
+
We are seeking a candidate with an interest in numerical methods for engineering simulations and some
 +
background in C++ programming. Basic knowledge of semiconductor quantum transport formalism (NEGF) will be
 +
helpful, but is not required. Similarly, knowledge of C++ parallelization libraries such as MPI and CUDA, as well as  
 +
a basic grasp on High Performance Computing, is advantageous, but also not necessary.
 
<!--  
 
<!--  
 
===Status: Completed ===
 
===Status: Completed ===

Revision as of 11:51, 23 June 2021

Short Description

We want to use the Finite Element Method (FEM) for numerical simulations of transistors to be used for quantum computing. The existing C++ code at IIS that solves this quantum transport problem is based on finite differences. However, compared to finite differences, FEM employs unstructured meshes that allow for more complicated geometries and local refinement. The project aims at supporting the development the current code and running the numerical simulations.


The Big Picture-Neuromorphic Computing

The idea of quantum computing is to associate a bit to a two-state quantum phenomenon (a “qu-bit”), so that any linear combination between the two states is allowed and more information can be conveyed than a classical bit. The SPIN project is a new collaboration between Swiss institutions to build silicon-based transistors that can act as quantum devices, so to rely on existing hardware for quantum computers. Specifically, at IIS we plan to simulate these transistors numerically: the best models are then going to be manufactured by IBM Research.

Type of Work

Theory and mathematical formulation: 20%
C++ code development: 40%
Numerical simulations: 40%

Throughout the history of this department, scientists have made major contributions to the advancement of knowledge in solid-state physics, stimulated by problems relevant to technology. Today research focuses on different areas of technological significance, such as photonics and optoelectronics, CMOS and post-CMOS, micro fabrication, packaging and life sciences. This effort is supported by the newly opened Binnig and Rohrer Nanotechnology Centre, offering state of the art micro fabrication yet with the required flexibility for any research at the frontier between industrial and academic research.

With more than 100 students and young researchers (including Master and PhD students, as well as postdoctoral researchers), our laboratory offers a dynamic and international environment for excellent science and provides a unique opportunity to extend your research skills. The laboratory equipment for the project defined in this Master thesis is state-of-the art, and allows to perform novel and exciting experiments.


Status: Available

Looking for 1 Master/semester student
Interested candidates please contact: Dr Daniele Casati
ETH Contact: Mathieu Luisier

Prerequisites

We are seeking a candidate with an interest in numerical methods for engineering simulations and some background in C++ programming. Basic knowledge of semiconductor quantum transport formalism (NEGF) will be helpful, but is not required. Similarly, knowledge of C++ parallelization libraries such as MPI and CUDA, as well as a basic grasp on High Performance Computing, is advantageous, but also not necessary.


Professor

Mathieu Luisier

↑ top