Microcontroller‐Driven Photonic Toolkit for Quantum Computing: A Hardware‐in‐the‐Loop Approach to Engineering Pedagogy
R. R. Sreeja, J. Kamala, S. Akshai +1 more
ABSTRACT Traditional pedagogical methods for quantum computing often struggle to bridge the gap between abstract mathematical models and physical intuition. This paper presents the development and evaluation of a modular, computer‐aided hardware training kit designed to emulate quantum states and gate operations through an integrated digital‐photonic interface. The system leverages a microcontroller‐driven architecture to control a Photonic Qubit Generator, utilizing 650 nm laser diodes and polarizers to represent polarization‐encoded states (|0〉, |1〉, |+〉, |−〉). By integrating hardware switches and embedded gate logic, the kit enables real‐time interaction with qubits, single‐qubit (Pauli X, Y, Z, Hadamard, Phase S) gates, and multi‐qubit (CNOT, Toffoli) gates operations. Unlike purely theoretical simulations, this hardware‐in‐the‐loop approach provides tactile and visual feedback via light emitting diode/laser indicators, reinforcing the connection between digital control and quantum behavior. A pilot study involving 62 undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students was conducted to assess the kit's impact on computational thinking and conceptual comprehension. Quantitative and qualitative results indicate a significant improvement in student engagement and their ability to map theoretical gate logic to functional hardware outputs. The study concludes that this cost‐effective, scalable platform serves as a vital computer application for engineering classrooms, democratizing access to complex quantum science through interactive, hands‐on experimentation.
Computer Applications in Engineering Education•May 1, 2026•0 citations