High-fidelity Quantum State Transfer Research Articles

An impurity-induced gap system as a quantum data bus for quantum state transfer

We introduce a tight-binding chain with a single impurity to act as a quantum data bus for perfect quantum state transfer. Our proposal is based on the weak coupling limit of the two outermost quantum dots to the data bus, which is a gapped system induced by the impurity. By connecting two quantum dots to two sites of the data bus, the system can accomplish a high-fidelity and long-distance quantum state transfer. Numerical simulations for finite system show that the numerical and analytical results of the effective coupling strength agree well with each other. Moreover, we study the robustness of this quantum communication protocol in the presence of disorder in the couplings between the nearest-neighbor quantum dots. We find that the gap of the system plays an important role in robust quantum state transfer.

Quantum state transfer in the presence of nonhomogeneous external potentials

Heisenberg-type spin models in the limit of a low number of excitations are useful tools to study basic mechanisms in strongly correlated and magnetic systems. Many of these mechanisms can be experimentally tested using ultracold atoms. Here, we discuss the implementation of a quantum state transfer protocol in a tight-binding chain in the presence of an inhomogeneous external potential. We show that it can be used to extend the parameter range in which high fidelity state transfer can be achieved beyond the well established weak-coupling regime. Among the class of mirror-reflecting potentials that allow for high-fidelity quantum state transfer, the harmonic case is especially relevant because it allows us to formulate a proposal for the experimental implementation of the protocol in the context of optical lattices.

Catch and Release of Microwave Photon States

We demonstrate a superconducting resonator with variable coupling to a measurement transmission line. The resonator coupling can be adjusted through zero to a photon emission rate 1000 times the intrinsic resonator decay rate. We demonstrate the catch and release of photons in the resonator, as well as control of nonclassical Fock states. We also demonstrate the dynamical control of the release waveform of photons from the resonator, a key functionality that will enable high-fidelity quantum state transfer between distant resonators or qubits.

Vibrons in finite size molecular lattices: a route for high-fidelity quantum state transfer at room temperature

A communication protocol is proposed in which vibron-mediated quantum state transfer takes place in a molecular lattice. We consider two distant molecular groups grafted on each side of the lattice. These groups form two quantum computers where vibrational qubits are implemented and received. The lattice defines the communication channel along which a vibron delocalizes and interacts with a phonon bath. Using quasi-degenerate perturbation theory, vibron–phonon entanglement is taken into account through the effective Hamiltonian concept. A vibron is thus dressed by a virtual phonon cloud whereas a phonon is clothed by virtual vibronic transitions. It is shown that three quasi-degenerate dressed states define the relevant paths followed by a vibron to tunnel between the computers. When the coupling between the computers and the lattice is judiciously chosen, constructive interference takes place between these paths. Phonon-induced decoherence is minimized and a high-fidelity quantum state transfer occurs over a broad temperature range.

Using dark modes for high-fidelity optomechanical quantum state transfer

In a recent publication (Wang and Clerk 2012 Phys. Rev. Lett.108 153603), we demonstrated that one can use interference to significantly increase the fidelity of state transfer between two electromagnetic cavities coupled to a common mechanical resonator over a naive sequential-transfer scheme based on two swap operations. This involved making use of a delocalized electromagnetic mode which is decoupled from the mechanical resonator, a so-called ‘mechanically dark’ mode. Here, we demonstrate the existence of a new ‘hybrid’ state transfer scheme that incorporates the best elements of the dark-mode scheme (protection against mechanical dissipation) and the double-swap scheme (fast operation time). Importantly, this new scheme also does not require the mechanical resonator to be prepared initially in its ground state. We also provide additional details of the previously described interference-enhanced transfer schemes, and provide an enhanced discussion of how the interference physics here is intimately related to the optomechanical analogue of electromagnetically induced transparency. We also compare the various transfer schemes over a wide range of relevant experimental parameters, producing a ‘phase diagram’ showing the optimal transfer scheme for different points in parameter space.

Reversible Optical-to-Microwave Quantum Interface

We describe a reversible quantum interface between an optical and a microwave field using a hybrid device based on their common interaction with a micromechanical resonator in a superconducting circuit. We show that, by employing state-of-the-art optoelectromechanical devices, one can realize an effective source of (bright) two-mode squeezing with an optical idler (signal) and a microwave signal, which can be used for high-fidelity transfer of quantum states between optical and microwave fields by means of continuous variable teleportation.

Controllable quantum state transfer and entanglement generation between distant nitrogen-vacancy-center ensembles coupled to superconducting flux qubits

We investigate the dissipative dynamics of a hybrid system consisting of two inductively coupled superconducting flux qubits (FQs), each of which couples magnetically with a nitrogen-vacancy-center spin ensemble (NVE). The system displays a series of damped oscillations under various experimental situations, where we obtain analytically the time-dependent populations associated with arbitrary values of the FQ-FQ inductively coupling strength $g$ and the FQ-NVE magnetically coupling strength $G$ in the one-excitation case. Our results show that a reliable high-fidelity quantum state transfer between the two distant NVEs can be realized by modulating the parameters $g$ and $G.$ Furthermore, we also present a potentially practical idea to entangle the two separate NVEs, which is within reach due to the currently available technology.

Vibrational exciton mediated quantum state transfer: Simple model

A communication protocol is proposed in which quantum state transfer is mediated by a vibrational exciton. We consider two distant molecular groups grafted on the sides of a lattice. These groups behave as two quantum computers where the information in encoded and received. The lattice plays the role of a communication channel along which the exciton propagates and interacts with a phonon bath. Special attention is paid for describing the system involving an exciton dressed by a single phonon mode. The Hamiltonian is thus solved exactly so that the relevance of the perturbation theory is checked. Within the nonadiabatic weak-coupling limit, it is shown that the system supports three quasi-degenerate states that define the relevant paths followed by the exciton to tunnel between the computers. When the model parameters are judiciously chosen, constructive interferences take place between these paths. Phonon-induced decoherence is minimized and a high-fidelity quantum state transfer occurs over a broad temperature range.

Using Interference for High Fidelity Quantum State Transfer in Optomechanics

We revisit the problem of using a mechanical resonator to perform the transfer of a quantum state between two electromagnetic cavities (e.g., optical and microwave). We show that this system possesses an effective mechanically dark mode which is immune to mechanical dissipation; utilizing this feature allows highly efficient transfer of intracavity states, as well as of itinerant photon states. We provide simple analytic expressions for the fidelity for transferring both gaussian and non-gaussian states.

High fidelity and flexible quantum state transfer in the atom-coupled cavity hybrid system

We investigate a system composed of N coupled cavities (linear array) and two-level atoms interacting one at a time. Adjusting appropriately the atom-field detuning, and making the hopping rate of photons between neighboring cavities, A, greater than the atom-field coupling g (i.e. A ? N 3/2 g), we can eliminate the interaction of the atom with the non-resonant normal modes reducing the dynamics to the interaction of the atom with only a single-mode. As an application of this interaction, we propose a two-step protocol for quantum communication of an arbitrary atomic quantum state between distant coupled cavities. In the ideal case, the coupled cavities system acts as a perfect quantum bus and we obtain a flexible and perfect quantum communication for any N. Considering the influence of dissipation, an interesting parity effect emerges and we still obtain a high fidelity quantum state transfer for an appreciable number of cavities with current experimental parameters. We also studied important sources of imperfections during the procedure.

Controllable strong coupling between individual spin qubits and a transmission line resonator via nanomechanical resonators

We investigate a hybrid quantum system where an individual electronic spin qubit (EQ) and a transmission line resonator (TLR) are connected by a nanomechanical resonator (NAMR). We analyze the possibility of realizing a strong coupling between the EQ and the TLR. Compared with a direct coupling between an EQ and a TLR, the achieved coupling can be stronger and controllable. The proposal might be used to implement a high-fidelity quantum state transfer between the spin qubit and the TLR, and is scalable to involve several individual EQ-NAMR coupled systems with a TLR.

Quantum dynamics and quantum state transfer between separated nitrogen-vacancy centers embedded in photonic crystal cavities

We investigate dynamics of a laser-driven and dissipative system consisting of two nitrogen-vacancy (N-$V$) centers embedded in two spatially separated single-mode nanocavities in a planar photonic crystal (PC). Spontaneous emission from the excited states of the N-$V$ centers can be effectively suppressed by virtue of the Raman transition in the dispersive regime. The system displays a series of damped oscillations under various experimental situations, where we solve the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation analytically for arbitrary values of the hopping and PC--N-$V$ coupling strengths. In particular, our results indicate that some special values should be taken for the hopping strength if we hope to have high-fidelity quantum state transfer between the two distant N-$V$ centers. We have also analyzed the relevant entanglement dynamics in the presence of decoherence. The experimental feasibility and challenge are justified using currently available technology.

High entanglement generation and high fidelity quantum state transfer in a non-Markovian environment

This paper analyses a system of two independent qubits off-resonantly coupled to a common non-Markovian reservoir at zero temperature. Compared with the results in Markovian reservoirs, we find that much higher values of entanglement can be obtained for an initially factorized state of the two-qubit system. The maximal value of the entanglement increases as the detuning grows. Moreover, the entanglement induced by non-Markovian environments is more robust against the asymmetrical couplings between the two qubits and the reservoir. Based on this system, we also show that quantum state transfer can be implemented for arbitrary input states with high fidelity in the non-Markovian regime rather than the Markovian case in which only some particular input states can be successfully transferred.

Adiabatic quantum state transfer in a nonuniform triple-quantum-dot system

We introduce an adiabatic quantum state transfer scheme in a nonuniform coupled triple-quantum-dot system. By adiabatically varying the external gate voltage applied on the system, the electron can be transferred between two spatially separated dots. We numerically study the effect of the system parameters on transfer fidelity and find a perfect matching between them. We also find that there is a relatively large tolerance range of difference between two coupling constants to permit high-fidelity quantum state transfer.

Frequency downconversion for a quantum network

By using a parametric downconversion process with a strong signal field injection, we demonstrate coherent frequency downconversion from a pump photon to an idler photon. Contrary to a common misunderstanding, we show that the process can be free of quantum noise. With an interference experiment, we demonstrate that the coherence is preserved in the conversion process. This may lead to a high-fidelity quantum state transfer from a high-frequency photon to a low-frequency photon and connects a missing link in a quantum network. With this scheme of coherent frequency downconversion of photons, we propose a method of single-photon WDM.

Two-band model as a quantum data bus for quantum state transfer

We study the dynamics of an electron spin state transfer along a half-filled two-band model (TBM). It is shown that this solvable and realistic medium has an energy gap between the ground and first-excited states in the half-filled case. By connecting two qubits to two sites of the TBM, the system can accomplish a high-fidelity and long-distance quantum state transfer (QST). Moreover, numerical simulations have been performed for a finite system. The results show that the numerical and analytical results of the effective coupling strength agree well with each other. Furthermore, the investigation shows that the reduced density matrix also has high fidelity beyond the range of perturbation.

Theoretical Analysis of the Optimal Conditions for Photon-Spin Quantum State Transfer

We analyzed the yield and fidelity of the quantum state transfer (QST) from a photon polarization qubit to an electron spin qubit in a spin-coherent photo detector consisting of a semiconductor quantum dot. We used a model consisting of the quantum dot, where the QST is carried out, coupled with a photonic cavity. We determined the optimal conditions that allow the realization of both high-yield and high-fidelity QST.

Effect of exchange interaction on the fidelity of quantum state transfer from a photon qubit to an electron-spin qubit

We analyzed the fidelity of the quantum state transfer (QST) from a photon-polarization qubit to an electron-spin-polarization qubit in a semiconductor quantum dot, with special attention to the exchange interaction between the electron and the simultaneously created hole. In order to realize a high-fidelity QST we had to separate the electron and hole as soon as possible, since the electron-hole exchange interaction modifies the orientation of the electron spin. Thus, we propose a double-dot structure to separate the electron and hole quickly, and show that the fidelity of the QST can reach as high as 0.996 if the resonant tunneling condition is satisfied.

Quantum-state transfer in imperfect artificial spin networks

High-fidelity quantum computation and quantum state transfer are possible in short spin chains. We exploit a system based on a dispersive qubit-boson interaction to mimic XY coupling. In this model, the usually assumed nearest-neighbors coupling is no more valid: all the qubits are mutually coupled. We analyze the performances of our model for quantum state transfer showing how pre-engineered coupling rates allow for nearly optimal state transfer. We address a setup of superconducting qubits coupled to a microstrip cavity in which our analysis may be applied.