Key takeaways
- OQC built its qubits around a coaxmon design, a coaxial-cable-based architecture that differs from the standard transmon approach used by most superconducting quantum computing companies
- OQC's quantum computer is not available around the clock because the cryostat and control systems need scheduled downtime between jobs, so uptime is managed rather than continuous
- Simon Phillips moved into quantum computing from a background in gaming, bringing an engineering perspective focused on systems and user-facing reliability rather than pure physics research
- Running a superconducting quantum computer involves real operational tradeoffs between keeping the dilution refrigerator cold and available versus cycling it for maintenance and calibration
Summary
Simon Phillips, Chief Technology Officer at Oxford Quantum Circuits is interviewed by Yuval Boger. Simon and Yuval talk about OQC’s unique approach to building quantum computers using superconductors, why OQC’s quantum computer is online just some of the time, Simon’s journey from gaming to quantum computing, and much more.