In this three-part series on the introduction to superconducting qubits, we start by introducing the basic concepts of one kind of superconducting qubit, and then gradually proceed to materials about a full-fledged quantum processor comprising of many qubits.

In this first video, Professor Leo DiCarlo talks about the entailing physics behind a transmon qubit, which is an example of a superconducting qubit. Remember that the elaborate expressions and notations in this video are not meant to intimidate the avid learners. It will suffice to grasp the core concepts from these videos. If however, all those notations have got you enthused, then we recommend you to go through all the different nuances and enhance your learning; because courses like these are not just meant to be passed and forgotten, are they?

Main takeaways

• It is possible to create superconducting qubits by restricting all dynamics to (generally, the lowest) two levels of the multiple levels of the system.
• Transmon qubits are an example of one of the many different kinds of superconducting qubits.
• In a transmon, the inductance is provided by a Josephson junction and not by a typical coil inductor. This disrupts the harmonic energy spectrum and helps confine the system to two levels.