Holonomic quantum computation in decoherence-free subspaces

We show how to realize, by means of non-Abelian quantum holonomies, a set of universal quantum gates acting on decoherence-free subspaces and subsystems. In this manner we bring together the quantum coherence stabilization virtues of decoherence-free subspaces and the fault tolerance of all-geometric holonomic control. We discuss the implementation of this scheme in the context of quantum information processing using trapped ions and quantum dots.     

Control of qubits encoded in decoherence-free subspaces

Decoherence-free subspaces protect quantum information from the effects of noise that is correlated across the physical qubits used to implement them. Given the ability to impose suitable Hamiltonians upon such a multi-qubit system, one can also implement a set of logical gates which enables universal computation on this information without compromising this protection. Real physical systems, however, seldom come with the correct Hamiltonians built-in, let alone the ability to turn them off and on at will. In the course of our development of quantum information processing devices based on liquid-state NMR, we have found the task of operating on quantum information encoded in decoherence-free subspaces rather more challenging than is commonly assumed. This contribution presents an overview of these challenges and the methods we have developed for overcoming them in practice. These methods promise to be broadly applicable to many of the physical systems proposed for the implementation of quantum information processing devices.     

Universal fault-tolerant quantum computation on decoherence-free subspaces

A general scheme to perform universal, fault-tolerant quantum computation within decoherence-free subspaces (DFSs) is presented. At most two-qubit interactions are required, and the system remains within the DFS throughout the entire implementation of a quantum gate. We show explicitly how to perform universal computation on clusters of the four-qubit DFS encoding one logical qubit each under spatially symmetric (collective) decoherence. Our results have immediate relevance to quantum computer implementations in which quantum logic is implemented through exchange interactions, such as the recently proposed spin-spin coupled quantum dot arrays and donor-atom arrays.     

Creating decoherence-free subspaces using strong and fast pulses

A decoherence-free subspace (DFS) isolates quantum information from deleterious environmental interactions. We give explicit sequences of strong and fast ["bang-bang" (BB)] pulses that create the conditions allowing for the existence of DFSs that support scalable, universal quantum computation. One such example is the creation of the conditions for collective decoherence, wherein all system particles are coupled in an identical manner to their environment. The BB pulses needed for this are generated using only the Heisenberg exchange interaction. In conjunction with previous results, this shows that Heisenberg exchange is by itself an enabler of universal fault-tolerant quantum computation on DFSs.     

Quantum computing in decoherence-free subspaces with superconducting charge qubits

Taking into account the main noises in superconducting charge qubits (SCQs), we propose a feasible scheme to realize quantum computing (QC) in a specially-designed decoherence-free subspace (DFS). In our scheme two physical qubits are connected with a common inductance to form a strong coupling subsystem, which acts as a logical qubit. Benefiting from the well-designed DFS, our scheme is helpful to suppress certain decoherence effects.     

Scalable quantum computing in decoherence-free subspaces with Cooper-pair box qubits

We theoretically propose a feasible scheme to perform quantum computing in decoherence-free subspaces (DFSs) with Cooper-pair box (CPB) qubits arrayed in a circuit QED architecture. Based on the cavity-bus assisted interaction, the selective and controllable interqubit couplings occur only by adjusting the individual gate pulses, by which we obtain the scalable DFS-encoded universal quantum gates to resist certain collective noises. Further analysis shows the protocol may implement the scalable fault-tolerant quantum computing with current experimental means.     

Relaxation- and decoherence-free subspaces in networks of weakly and strongly coupled resonators

We consider a network of interacting resonators and analyze the physical ingredients that enable the emergence of relaxation-free and decoherence-free subspaces. We investigate two different situations: (i) when the whole network interacts with a common reservoir and (ii) when each resonator, strongly coupled to each other, interacts with its own reservoir. Our main result is that both subspaces are generated when all the resonators couple with the same group of reservoir modes, thus building up a correlation (among these modes), which has the potential to shield particular network states against relaxation and/or decoherence.     

Experimental realization of decoherence-free subspace in neutron interferometry

A decoherence-free subspace (DFS) is an important class of quantum-error-correcting (QEC) codes that have been proposed for fault-tolerant quantum computation. The applications of QEC techniques, however, are not limited to quantum-information processing (QIP). Here we demonstrate how QEC codes may be used to improve experimental designs of quantum devices to achieve noise suppression. In particular, neutron interferometry is used as a test bed to show the potential for adding quantum error correction to quantum measurements. We built a five-blade neutron interferometer that incorporates both a standard Mach-Zender configuration and a configuration based on a DFS. Experiments verify that the DFS interferometer is protected against low-frequency mechanical vibrations. We anticipate these improvements will increase the range of applications for matter-wave interferometry.     

Experimental investigation of a two-qubit decoherence-free subspace

We thoroughly explore the phenomenon of a decoherence-free subspace (DFS) for two-qubit systems. Specifically, we both collectively and noncollectively decohere entangled polarization-encoded two-qubit states using thick birefringent crystals. These results characterize the basis-dependent effect of decoherence on the four Bell states, the robustness of the DFS state against perturbations in the assumption of collective decoherence, and the existence of a DFS for each type of stable noncollective decoherence. Finally, we investigate the effects of collective and noncollective dissipation.     

Experimental demonstration of decoherence-free one-way information transfer

We report the experimental demonstration of a one-way quantum protocol reliably operating in the presence of decoherence. Information is protected by designing an appropriate decoherence-free sub-space for a cluster state resource. We demonstrate our scheme in an all-optical setup, encoding the information into the polarization states of four photons. A measurement-based one-way information-transfer protocol is performed with the photons exposed to severe symmetric phase-damping noise. Remarkable protection of information is accomplished, delivering nearly ideal outcomes.     

Experimental verification of an optical vortex coronagraph

A coronagraph designed for high contrast imaging applications has been experimentally tested using coherent laser light and a vortex mask of topological charge m=2. Intensity contrast values of 95% were achieved in this first verification of the scheme. Improvements for approaching the theoretical value of 100% are suggested.     

Experimental evidence of coherence resonance in an optical system

Experimental evidence of coherence resonance in an optical system is reported. We show that the regularity of the excitable pulses in the intensity of a laser diode with optical feedback increases when adding noise, up to an optimal value of the noise strength. Both phase and amplitude fluctuations of the pulses play a relevant role in the dynamics of the system. We introduce the joint entropy of the two variables to generalize the indicator of coherence, and we put in evidence the mechanism of destruction of the excitable orbit after the resonance.     

Multiple decoherence-free states in multi-spin systems

A numerical procedure is presented for mapping the vicinity of the null-space of the spin relaxation superoperator. The states populating this space, i.e. those with near-zero eigenvalues, of which the two-spin singlet is a well-studied example, are long-lived compared to the conventional T(1) and T(2) spin-relaxation times. The analysis of larger spin systems described herein reveals the presence of a significant number of other slowly relaxing states. A study of coupling topologies for n-spin systems (4≤n≤8) suggests the symmetry requirements for maximising the number of long-lived states.     

Experimental implementation of an adiabatic quantum optimization algorithm

We report the realization of a nuclear magnetic resonance computer with three quantum bits that simulates an adiabatic quantum optimization algorithm. Adiabatic quantum algorithms offer new insight into how quantum resources can be used to solve hard problems. This experiment uses a particularly well-suited three quantum bit molecule and was made possible by introducing a technique that encodes general instances of the given optimization problem into an easily applicable Hamiltonian. Our results indicate an optimal run time of the adiabatic algorithm that agrees well with the prediction of a simple decoherence model.     

电磁场递推算法及微纳光学元件中的应用

提出一种电磁场递推算法来分析微纳光学元件体内电磁场的传输.该方法基于Maxwell方程组和电磁场横向的边界条件给出了严格解.以高斯光束在亚波长矩形浮雕光栅体内的传输为例,分析了非匀幅光束在微纳光学元件体内的传输. 关键词： 递推算法 非匀幅光束 微纳光学元件     

Experimental realization of strong effective magnetic fields in an optical lattice

We use Raman-assisted tunneling in an optical superlattice to generate large tunable effective magnetic fields for ultracold atoms. When hopping in the lattice, the accumulated phase shift by an atom is equivalent to the Aharonov-Bohm phase of a charged particle exposed to a staggered magnetic field of large magnitude, on the order of 1 flux quantum per plaquette. We study the ground state of this system and observe that the frustration induced by the magnetic field can lead to a degenerate ground state for noninteracting particles. We provide a measurement of the local phase acquired from Raman-induced tunneling, demonstrating time-reversal symmetry breaking of the underlying Hamiltonian. Furthermore, the quantum cyclotron orbit of single atoms in the lattice exposed to the magnetic field is directly revealed.     

Experimental evidence of "vibrational resonance" in an optical system

The experimental evidence and characterization of "vibrational resonance" in a bistable vertical cavity laser are reported. The system is driven by two periodic forcings, with frequencies differing by several orders and studied in the case of both symmetrical and asymmetrical quasipotentials. The phenomenon shows up in the dynamics of the polarized laser emission as a resonance in the low-frequency response and signal-to-noise ratio, depending on the amplitude of an applied high-frequency modulation. The possibility to use the phenomenon for low-level detection is experimentally demonstrated.     

Imaging with multi-aperture optical telescopes and an application

The two main types of Multi-Aperture Optical Telescopes (MAOTs) (so-called Michelson and Fizeau) and the two possible modes of optical beam combination are reviewed. Wide-field imaging with a Michelson instrument is studied and the constraints are identified. An example of application to Earth observation is given. Then, we address the optimization of the aperture configuration, a key issue in the design of a MAOT. We also stress the image restoration, a necessary component of such an instrument because of the shape of its point spread function. Finally, a MAOT seems to be a promising technical solution for high resolution Earth observation from Space on a high orbit such as a geostationary one.     

Experimental realization of an order-finding algorithm with an NMR quantum computer

We report the realization of a nuclear magnetic resonance quantum computer which combines the quantum Fourier transform with exponentiated permutations, demonstrating a quantum algorithm for order finding. This algorithm has the same structure as Shor's algorithm and its speed-up over classical algorithms scales exponentially. The implementation uses a particularly well-suited five quantum bit molecule and was made possible by a new state initialization procedure and several quantum control techniques.     

Scheme for implementing quantum dense coding with four-particle decoherence-free states in an ion trap

This paper proposes an experimentally feasible scheme for implementing quantum dense coding of trapped-ion system in decoherence-free states. As the phase changes due to time evolution of components with different eigenenergies of quantum superposition are completely frozen, quantum dense coding based on this model would be perfect. The scheme is insensitive to heating of vibrational mode and Bell states can be exactly distinguished via detecting the ionic state.