Michaela Eichinger, a product solutions physicist at Quantum Machines, discusses her journey from academia to industry, her fascination with systems-level views of the quantum stack, and the role of communication in building the quantum ecosystem. She highlights the importance of classical compute and HPC integration in the development of useful quantum computers, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to quantum computing.
Eichinger's expertise lies in superconducting qubits, and she enjoys working with a variety of platforms, including gate-tunable qubits based on III-V materials. She believes that superconducting qubits are still her main focus, but she is also excited about other platforms and the potential for hybrid architectures. Eichinger acknowledges the limitations of superconducting qubits, such as local connectivity and the need for dilution fridges, but she sees potential solutions in 3D architecture stacks and increased qubit density.
In terms of her writing, Eichinger started her newsletter to educate herself and bridge the gap between technical and accessible content in the quantum computing space. She uses AI as a heavy editing tool to refine her drafts and stay ahead of her readers' needs. Eichinger's writing aims to provide a systems-level view of the quantum stack, connecting the components and explaining their significance.
Looking ahead, Eichinger believes that quantum computing is still in its early stages, with a focus on building blocks for fault-tolerant quantum computers. She emphasizes the importance of classical processing and HPC integration in scaling quantum computing and enabling computation. Eichinger's work at Quantum Machines allows her to intersect with various layers of the quantum stack, providing a comprehensive understanding of the technology.
Eichinger's advice to academics transitioning to the commercial world is to seek out video content and accessible, casual content that covers the quantum ecosystem and industry. She values the importance of communication and education in the quantum computing space, and her writing aims to bridge the gap between technical and accessible content.
In conclusion, Eichinger's insights provide a valuable perspective on the current state of quantum computing, the importance of classical compute and HPC integration, and the need for a holistic approach to developing useful quantum computers.
