Low-Latency Digital Signal Processing for Feedback and Feedforward in Quantum Computing and Communication

Feedback is a main component of many algorithms for quantum computing and communication. A key requirement for any quantum feedback scheme is that the $l\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}c\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}y$ of the feedback loop ($i.e.$ the time between beginning to measure a state and the end of feedback action on the state) must be significantly shorter than the coherence time of the system. In this work a superconducting qubit is initialized in its ground state by active feedback, using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) with very short latency. This in-depth discussion of the FPGA-based processing unit provides a useful reference for future development of feedback electronics for quantum systems.