Quantum Crosstalk as a Physically Unclonable Characteristic for Quantum Hardware Verification

Quantum computing is an emergent technology that is changing the way we approach computing. Unchanged from classical computing, however, is the paramount nature of securing the computing supply chain through hardware verification techniques. The method of physically unclonable characteristics as a means of quantum hardware verification utilizes characteristics resulting from fabrication differences to distinguish between devices. IBM's transmon quantum computers are controlled with microwave pulses that cause undesired quantum crosstalk. Qubit-to-qubit crosstalk variations that arise as a result of fabrication variations may be used as a physically unclonable characteristic to uniquely identify qubits and quantum processors.