Quantum Computation with Two-Level Systems in Current-Biased Josephson Junction

We present a feasible scheme that realizes quantum computation using the two-level systems （TLSs） in Current-biased Josephson junction （CBJJ） under the present experimental technology. Effective manipulation of the TLSs by CBJJ serving as register qubit can be obtained, such as initialization, single-qubit rotations, two-qubit gates, entanglement generation, and read out, etc. In addition, we also discuss the experimental feasibility and efficiency of the scheme.     

Non-Markovian entanglement dynamics in coupled superconducting qubit systems

We theoretically analyze the entanglement generation and dynamics by coupled Josephson junction qubits. Considering a current-biased Josephson junction (CBJJ), we generate maximally entangled states. In particular, the entanglement dynamics is considered as a function of the decoherence parameters, such as the temperature, the ratio r ≡ w_c\omega_c/w₀\omega_0 between the reservoir cutoff frequency w_c\omega_c and the system oscillator frequency w₀\omega_0,
and the energy levels split of the superconducting circuits in the non-Markovian master equation. We analyzed the entanglement sudden death (ESD) and entanglement sudden birth (ESB) by the non-Markovian master equation. Furthermore, we find that the larger the ratio r and the thermal energy k _BT , the shorter the decoherence. In this superconducting qubit system we find that the entanglement can be controlled and the ESD time can be prolonged by adjusting the temperature and the superconducting phases F_k\Phi_k which split the energy levels.     

Linear Entropy and Entanglement in Two-Charge-Qubit Circuits

We consider a model that contains two coupled superconducting charge qubits by sharing a large Josephson junction. We examine the dynamical properties of the linear entropy of two qubits and the probability of both qubits being in an excited state. The results show that the initial mean photon number, the initial phase of the field and the relative phase of the two qubits＇ levels play an important role in the evolution of the linear entropy of the two qubits and the probability.     

On Effectiveness of Protocol Creating Maximum Entanglement of Two Charge-Phase Qubits by Cavity Field

We revisit the protocols to create maximally entangled states between two Josephson junction （33） charge phase qubits coupled to a microwave field in a cavity as a quantum data bus. We analyze a novel mechanism of quantum decoherence due to the adiabatic entanglement between qubits and the data bus, the off-resonance microwave field. We show that even if the variable of the data bus can be adiabatically eliminated, the entanglement between the qubits and data bus remains and can decohere the superposition of two-particle state. Fortunately we can construct a decoherencefree subspace of two-dimension to against this adiabatic decoherence. To carry out the analytic study for this decoherence problem, we develop Frohlich transformation to re-derive the effective Hamiltonian of these systems, which is equivalent to that obtained from the adiabatic elimination approach.     

On Harmonic Approximation for Large Josephson Junction Coupling Charge Qubits

We revisit the harmonic approximation (HA) for a large Josephson junction interacting with some charge qubits through the variational approach for the quantum dynamics of the junction-qubit coupling system. By making use of numerical calculation and analytical treatment, the conditions under which HA works well can be precisely presented to control the parameters implementing the two-qubit quantum logical gate through the couplings to the large junction with harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian.     

Quantum two level systems and kondo-like traps as possible sources of decoherence in superconducting qubits

We discuss the origin of decoherence in Josephson junction qubits. We find that two level systems in the surrounding insulator cannot be the dominant source of noise in small qubits. We argue that electron traps in the Josephson barrier with large Coulomb repulsion would emit noise that agrees both in magnitude and in temperature dependence with experimental data.     

Controllable preparation of entangled coherent states with superconducting system

Utilizing a current-biased Josephson junction (CBJJ) as a tunable coupler for superconducting transmission line resonators (TLRs), we propose a potentially practical scheme to create entangled coherent states of the two TLR modes. Then, the influence of TLRs decay on the prepared entangled states is analyzed. And an interesting phenomenon that even entangled coherent states are robustness against decay with small α is found. At last, the experimental feasibility and the challenge of our schemes have been discussed.     

Delayed creation of entanglement in superconducting qubits interacting with a microwave field

We explore the role played by the intrinsic decoherence in superconducting charge qubits in the presence of a microwave field applied as a magnetic flux. We study how the delayed creation of entanglement, which is opposite to the sudden death of entanglement, can be induced. We compute the time evolution of the population inversion, total correlation and entanglement, taking into account the junction mixed state and dissipation of the cavity field. We show that although decoherence destroys the correlation of the junction and field, information of the initial state may be obtained via quasi-probability distribution functions.     

Synthesis of maximally entangled mixed states and disentanglement in coupled Josephson charge qubits

We analyze a controllable generation of maximally entangled mixed states of a circuit containing two-coupled superconducting charge qubits. Each qubit is based on a Cooper pair box connected to a reservoir electrode through a Josephson junction. Illustrative variational calculations were performed to demonstrate the effect on the two-qubits entanglement. At sufficiently deviation between the Josephson energies of the qubits and/or strong coupling regime, maximally entangled mixed states at certain instances of time is synthesized. We show that entanglement has an interesting subsequent time evolution, including the sudden death effect. This enables us to completely characterize the phenomenon of entanglement sharing in the coupling of two superconducting charge qubits, a system of both theoretical and experimental interest.     

Quantum two-level systems in Josephson junctions as naturally formed qubits

The two-level systems (TLSs) naturally occurring in Josephson junctions constitute a major obstacle for the operation of superconducting phase qubits. Since these TLSs can possess remarkably long decoherence times, we show that such TLSs can themselves be used as qubits, allowing for a well controlled initialization, universal sets of quantum gates, and readout. Thus, a single current-biased Josephson junction can be considered as a multiqubit register. It can be coupled to other junctions to allow the application of quantum gates to an arbitrary pair of qubits in the system. Our results indicate an alternative way to realize superconducting quantum information processing.     

Decoherence in josephson phase qubits from junction resonators

Although Josephson junction qubits show great promise for quantum computing, the origin of dominant decoherence mechanisms remains unknown. Improving the operation of a Josephson junction based phase qubit has revealed microscopic two-level systems or resonators within the tunnel barrier that cause decoherence. We report spectroscopic data that show a level splitting characteristic of coupling between a two-state qubit and a two-level system. Furthermore, we show Rabi oscillations whose "coherence amplitude" is significantly degraded by the presence of these spurious microwave resonators. The discovery of these resonators impacts the future of Josephson qubits as well as existing Josephson technologies.     

超导量子比特实验的开端

我们对超导量子比特领域的科学背景、历史起源和早期发展做简要评述.莱格特(Anthony J. Leggett)为这个领域打下了理论基础.克拉克(John Clarke)和他的两个学生马丁尼(John Martinis)和德沃雷(Michel H. Devoret)最早通过偏电流约瑟夫森结,首次观察到约瑟夫森结的量子行为.后来德沃雷实现了电荷量子比特叠加态、电荷-磁通混合量子比特的拉比共振和其他演化及投影测量.中村泰信(Yasunobu Nakamura)首先实现电荷量子比特的量子叠加和拉比振荡,还参与莫伊(J. E. Mooij)组实现了磁通量子比特的拉比振荡和读出.     

Observation of high coherence in Josephson junction qubits measured in a three-dimensional circuit QED architecture

Superconducting quantum circuits based on Josephson junctions have made rapid progress in demonstrating quantum behavior and scalability. However, the future prospects ultimately depend upon the intrinsic coherence of Josephson junctions, and whether superconducting qubits can be adequately isolated from their environment. We introduce a new architecture for superconducting quantum circuits employing a three-dimensional resonator that suppresses qubit decoherence while maintaining sufficient coupling to the control signal. With the new architecture, we demonstrate that Josephson junction qubits are highly coherent, with T2 ～ 10 to 20 μs without the use of spin echo, and highly stable, showing no evidence for 1/f critical current noise. These results suggest that the overall quality of Josephson junctions in these qubits will allow error rates of a few 10(-4), approaching the error correction threshold.     

Josephson-junction qubits: entanglement and coherence

We review briefly the problems that are driving the search for a quantum computer. These include, primarily, methods for encryption and decryption based on Shor’s algorithm for factoring large integers and the use of Pell’s equation for encryption. We also outline some of the approaches that have been suggested for implementing a quantum computer and then focus on Josephson-junction systems as qubits. We have been investigating the current-biased Josephson junction for this application, a suggestion we made about 2 years ago. We have studied macroscopic quantum tunneling and energy level spectroscopy, using microwaves, in single junctions and recently we have begun measurements of the two-quantum bit (qubit) system, i.e. two capacitively coupled junctions. Theoretical studies of energy levels and their dynamic evolution are also in progress. In the present report we discuss the basics of single Josephson junctions and compare their potential as qubits with the potentials of other systems. We also discuss our future plans to obtain greater isolation of the junctions from sources of decoherence and to develop realistic qubits. An important first step must be to exhibit quantum entanglement and measure coherence times. Then it must be shown that the states of the qubits can be initialized, that gate operations can be performed, and that the results can be read out.     

Nanoscale superconducting quantum bits

Various physical systems were proposed for quantum information processing. Among those nanoscale devices appear most promising for integration in electronic circuits and large-scale applications. We discuss Josephson junction circuits in two regimes where they can be used for quantum computing. These systems combine intrinsic coherence of the superconducting state with control possibilities of single-charge circuits. In the regime where the typical charging energy dominates over the Josephson coupling, the low-temperature dynamics is limited to two states differing by a Cooper-pair charge on a superconducting island. In the opposite regime of prevailing Josephson energy, the phase (or flux) degree of freedom can be used to store and process quantum information. Under suitable conditions the system reduces to two states with different flux configurations. Several qubits can be joined together into a register. The quantum state of a qubit register can be manipulated by voltage and magnetic field pulses. The qubits are inevitably coupled to the environment. However, estimates of the phase coherence time show that many elementary quantum logic operations can be performed before the phase coherence is lost. In addition to manipulations, the final state of the qubits has to be read out. This quantum measurement process can be accomplished using a single-electron transistor for charge Josephson qubits, and a d.c.-SQUID for flux qubits. Recent successful experiments with superconducting qubits demonstrate for the first time quantum coherence in macroscopic systems.     

State tomography of capacitively shunted phase qubits with high fidelity

We introduce a new design concept for superconducting phase quantum bits (qubits) in which we explicitly separate the capacitive element from the Josephson tunnel junction for improved qubit performance. The number of two-level systems that couple to the qubit is thereby reduced by an order of magnitude and the measurement fidelity improves to 90%. This improved design enables the first demonstration of quantum state tomography with superconducting qubits using single-shot measurements.     

Variable electrostatic transformer: controllable coupling of two charge qubits

We propose and investigate a novel method for the controlled coupling of two Josephson charge qubits by means of a variable electrostatic transformer. The value of the coupling capacitance is given by the discretized curvature of the lowest energy band of a Josephson junction, which can be positive, negative, or zero. We calculate the charging diagram of the two-qubit system that reflects the transition from positive to negative through vanishing coupling. We also discuss how to implement a phase gate making use of the controllable coupling.     

Flux qubit with a large loop size and tunable Josephson junctions

We present the design of a superconducting flux qubit with a large loop inductance. The large loop inductance is desirable for coupling between qubits. The loop is configured into a gradiometer form that could reduce the interference from environmental magnetic noise. A combined Josephson junction, i.e., a DC-SQUID is used to replace the small Josephson junction in the usual 3-JJ (Josephaon junction) flux qubit, leading to a tunable energy gap by using an independent external flux line. We perform numerical calculations to investigate the dependence of the energy gap on qubit parameters such as junction capacitance, critical current, loop inductance, and the ratio of junction energy between small and large junctions in the flux qubit. We suggest a range of values for the parameters.     

Producing cluster states in charge qubits and flux qubits

We propose a method to efficiently generate cluster states in charge qubits, both semiconducting and superconducting, as well as flux qubits. We show that highly entangled cluster states can be realized by a "one-touch" entanglement operation by tuning gate bias voltages for charge qubits. We also investigate the robustness of these cluster states for nonuniform qubits, which are unavoidable in solid-state systems. We find that quantum computation based on cluster states is a promising approach for solid-state qubits.     

Entanglement reciprocation between qubits and continuous variables

We investigate how entanglement can be transferred between qubits and continuous-variable (CV) systems. We find that one ebit borne in maximally entangled qubits can be fully transferred to two CV systems which are initially prepared in a pure separable Gaussian field with high excitation. We show that it is possible to retrieve the entanglement back to qubits from the entangled CV systems. The deposition of multiple ebits from qubits to the initially separable CV systems is also pointed out. We show that the entanglement transfer and retrieval are done at a quasisteady state.