NetQIR: An extension of QIR for distributed quantum computing

The rapid advancement of quantum computing has highlighted the need for scalable and efficient software infrastructures to fully exploit its potential. Current quantum processors face significant scalability constraints due to the limited number of qubits per chip. In response, distributed quantum c...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Cardama Santiago, Francisco Javier, Vázquez Pérez, Jorge, Piñeiro Pomar, César Alfredo, Fernández Pena, Anselmo Tomás, Pichel Campos, Juan Carlos, Gómez, Andrés
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
Repositorio:Minerva. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:minerva.usc.gal:10347/43044
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43044
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Distributed quantum computing
Quantum intermediate representation
Quantum internet
Compilers
Teledata
Telegate
Distributed quantum applications
Computación cuántica distribuida
Representación intermedia cuántica
Internet cuántico
Compiladores
Teledatos
3307 Tecnología electrónica
Descripción
Sumario:The rapid advancement of quantum computing has highlighted the need for scalable and efficient software infrastructures to fully exploit its potential. Current quantum processors face significant scalability constraints due to the limited number of qubits per chip. In response, distributed quantum computing (DQC) — achieved by networking multiple quantum processor units (QPUs)— is emerging as a promising solution. To support this paradigm, robust intermediate representations (IRs) are needed to translate high-level quantum algorithms into executable instructions suitable for distributed systems. This paper presents NetQIR, an extension of Microsoft’s Quantum Intermediate Representation (QIR), specifically designed to facilitate DQC by incorporating new instruction specifications. NetQIR was developed in response to the lack of abstraction at the network and hardware layers identified in the existing literature as a significant obstacle to effectively implementing distributed quantum algorithms. Based on this analysis, NetQIR introduces new essential abstraction features to support compilers in DQC contexts. It defines network communication instructions independent of specific hardware, abstracting the complexities of inter-QPU communication. Although the proposed work allows abstraction of the underlying network, it is important to note that it is intended for the development of high-performance code on future modular quantum architectures. Leveraging the QIR framework, NetQIR aims to bridge the gap between high-level quantum algorithm design and low-level hardware execution, thus promoting modular and scalable approaches to quantum software infrastructures for distributed applications. Furthermore, its design may serve as a foundational component for future implementations of distributed quantum standards such as the Quantum Message Passing Interface (QMPI).