System and method of decoding for quantum error correction in quantum computing

Abstract

A quantum computing system including a quantum computing resource having a plurality of logical qubits, a classical memory, an on-chip decoder controller, and at least one classical processor is disclosed. The on-chip decoder controller (i) measures, during a respective cycle, a plurality of parity ancilla qubits corresponding to a plurality of physical data qubits of a logical qubit; (ii) in accordance with the measured plurality of parity ancilla qubits, generates a plurality of error signatures corresponding to the plurality of physical data qubits; (iii) categorizes each error signature of the plurality of error signatures into a simple error signature or a complex error signature; (iv) applies error correction to at least one physical data qubit of the plurality of physical data qubits corresponding to each simple error signature; and (v) transfers each complex error signature for off-chip decoding by the at least one classical processor.