Quantum Toolbox Research Articles

Quantum measurement enables single biomarker sensitivity in flow cytometry

We present the first unambiguous experimental method enabling single-fluorophore sensitivity in a flow cytometer using quantum properties of single-photon emitters. We use a quantum measurement based on the second-order coherence function to prove that the optical signal is produced by individual biomarkers traversing the interrogation volume of the flow cytometer from the first principles. This observation enables the use of the quantum toolbox for rapid detection, enumeration, and sorting of single fluorophores in large cell populations as well as a ‘photons-to-moles’ calibration of this measurement modality.

An efficient Julia framework for hierarchical equations of motion in open quantum systems

The hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM) approach can describe the reduced dynamics of a system simultaneously coupled to multiple bosonic and fermionic environments. The complexity of exactly describing the system-environment interaction with the HEOM method usually results in time-consuming calculations and a large memory cost. Here, we introduce an open-source software package called HierarchicalEOM.jl: a Julia framework integrating the HEOM approach. HierarchicalEOM.jl features a collection of methods to compute bosonic and fermionic spectra, stationary states, and the full dynamics in the extended space of all auxiliary density operators (ADOs). The required handling of the ADOs multi-indexes is achieved through a user-friendly interface. We exemplify the functionalities of the package by analyzing a single impurity Anderson model, and an ultra-strongly coupled charge-cavity system interacting with bosonic and fermionic reservoirs. HierarchicalEOM.jl achieves a significant speedup with respect to the corresponding method in the Quantum Toolbox in Python (QuTiP), upon which this package is founded.

Application perspective of cavity optomechanical system

Cavity optomechanical systems are demonstrating diverse applications in sensing and transduction, profiting from advances in related theories and experiments, which also promotes quantum research based on them. Here, we first briefly introduce typical applications of cavity optomechanical systems and some of our recent progress in this field and then discuss the potential of cavity optomechanical systems for exploring fundamental questions in quantum theory and the challenges encountered in current developments. Cavity optomechanical systems will play a vital role in quantum computing and quantum information and will enrich the quantum toolbox, particularly in quantum interfaces and quantum memory.

Entanglement Entropy Analysis in Dicke's Model Quantum System

Entanglement is a property of interacting particles in a quantum system. The measure of the interaction can be known by looking for the entanglement entropy value in the system. The quantum system used in this study is the Dicke model quantum system which consists of a single-mode electromagnetic radiation field and a two-level N-atom. This study aims to determine the influence of the coupling constant on entanglement entropy and system dynamics. Simulation of system dynamics is carried out with the Quantum Toolbox in Python (QuTiP) module. The simulation results show that the coupling constant has a significant effect on the entanglement entropy value. The greater the value of the coupling constant used, the entanglement entropy value increases. In addition, there is a maximum entanglement entropy value for N greater than one. The coupling constant also affects the dynamics of the system, that is, the greater the value of the coupling constant, the more quantum states can be accessed by atoms.

Room-temperature polarization of individual nuclear spins in diamond via anisotropic hyperfine coupling and coherent population trapping

We employ the electronic spin of a single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) defect in diamond to detect and control the quantum state of remote nuclear spins coupled by hyperfine interaction. More precisely, our work focuses on individual ^{13}text {C} nuclei featuring a moderate hyperfine coupling strength (sim 1 MHz) with the NV’s electron spin. Two different methods providing an efficient room-temperature polarization of these peculiar ^{13}text {C} nuclear spins are described. The first one is based on a polarization transfer from the NV electron spin to the ^{13}text {C} nucleus, which is mediated by the anisotropic component of the hyperfine interaction. The second one relies on coherent population trapping (CPT) within a Lambda -type energy-level configuration in the microwave domain, which enables to initialize the ^{13}text {C} nuclear spin in any quantum state superposition on the Bloch sphere. This CPT protocol is performed in an unusual regime for which relaxation from the excited level of the Lambda -scheme is externally triggered by optical pumping and separated in time from coherent microwave excitations. For these two polarization techniques, we investigate the impact of optical illumination on the nuclear spin polarization efficiency. This work adds new methods to the quantum toolbox used for coherent control of individual nuclear spins in diamond, which might find applications in quantum metrology.Graphical

Enriching the Quantum Toolbox of Ultracold Molecules with Rydberg Atoms

A quantum information architecture consisting of a hybrid array of optically trapped molecules and Rydberg atoms is developed to realize both high-fidelity submicrosecond entangling gates and nondestructive molecule detection.

Hamiltonian open quantum system toolkit

We present an open-source software package called “Hamiltonian Open Quantum System Toolkit" (HOQST), a collection of tools for the investigation of open quantum system dynamics in Hamiltonian quantum computing, including both quantum annealing and the gate-model of quantum computing. It features the key master equations (MEs) used in the field, suitable for describing the reduced system dynamics of an arbitrary time-dependent Hamiltonian with either weak or strong coupling to infinite-dimensional quantum baths. We present an overview of the theories behind the various MEs and provide examples to illustrate typical workflows in HOQST. We present an example that shows that HOQST can provide order of magnitude speedups compared to “Quantum Toolbox in Python" (QuTiP), for problems with time-dependent Hamiltonians. The package is ready to be deployed on high performance computing (HPC) clusters and is aimed at providing reliable open-system analysis tools for noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices.

The modeling techniques of the second‐order correlation function g(2)(τ) for a quantum emitter

AbstractThe numerical techniques required to prove the single‐photon emission from any type of quantum emitter (QE) after being coupled to any nanostructure are presented in this paper. The Purcell effect modifies the emission characteristics of QEs, such as color centers in nanodiamonds, for example, nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) centers, silicon vacancy (SiV) centers, and so forth, or semiconductor quantum dots. Our numerical approach is based on the unique QEs' experimental photophysics parameters and numerical analysis software, which are MATLAB and Quantum Toolbox in Python (QuTiP). Our results show a comparable g(2) (τ) behavior between our proposed numerical model and the other two experimental results for the QE before and after coupling to a plasmonic waveguide with subwavelength dimensions. Our proposed method is essential to prove the single‐photon emission of modeled single‐photon source (SPS) in an on‐chip polarization‐dependent quantum key distribution system (QKD).

Pulse-level noisy quantum circuits with QuTiP

The study of the impact of noise on quantum circuits is especially relevant to guide the progress of Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computing. In this paper, we address the pulse-level simulation of noisy quantum circuits with the Quantum Toolbox in Python (QuTiP). We introduce new tools in qutip-qip, QuTiP's quantum information processing package. These tools simulate quantum circuits at the pulse level, leveraging QuTiP's quantum dynamics solvers and control optimization features. We show how quantum circuits can be compiled on simulated processors, with control pulses acting on a target Hamiltonian that describes the unitary evolution of the physical qubits. Various types of noise can be introduced based on the physical model, e.g., by simulating the Lindblad density-matrix dynamics or Monte Carlo quantum trajectories. In particular, the user can define environment-induced decoherence at the processor level and include noise simulation at the level of control pulses. We illustrate how the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm is compiled and executed on a superconducting-qubit-based processor, on a spin-chain-based processor and using control optimization algorithms. We also show how to easily reproduce experimental results on cross-talk noise in an ion-based processor, and how a Ramsey experiment can be modeled with Lindblad dynamics. Finally, we illustrate how to integrate these features with other software frameworks.

Scqubits: a Python package for superconducting qubits

scqubits is an open-source Python package for simulating and analyzing superconducting circuits. It provides convenient routines to obtain energy spectra of common superconducting qubits, such as the transmon, fluxonium, flux, cos(2ϕ) and the 0-π qubit. scqubits also features a number of options for visualizing the computed spectral data, including plots of energy levels as a function of external parameters, display of matrix elements of various operators as well as means to easily plot qubit wavefunctions. Many of these tools are not limited to single qubits, but extend to composite Hilbert spaces consisting of coupled superconducting qubits and harmonic (or weakly anharmonic) modes. The library provides an extensive suite of methods for estimating qubit coherence times due to a variety of commonly considered noise channels. While all functionality of scqubits can be accessed programatically, the package also implements GUI-like widgets that, with a few clicks can help users both create relevant Python objects, as well as explore their properties through various plots. When applicable, the library harnesses the computing power of multiple cores via multiprocessing. scqubits further exposes a direct interface to the Quantum Toolbox in Python (QuTiP) package, allowing the user to efficiently leverage QuTiP's proven capabilities for simulating time evolution.

Experimental Demonstration of Conjugate-Franson Interferometry.

Franson interferometry is a well-known quantum measurement technique for probing photon-pair frequency correlations that is often used to certify time-energy entanglement. We demonstrate, for the first time, the complementary technique in the time basis called conjugate-Franson interferometry. It measures photon-pair arrival-time correlations, thus providing a valuable addition to the quantum toolbox. We obtain a conjugate-Franson interference visibility of 96±1% without background subtraction for entangled photon pairs generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Our measured result surpasses the quantum-classical threshold by 25 standard deviations and validates the conjugate-Franson interferometer (CFI) as an alternative method for certifying time-energy entanglement. Moreover, the CFI visibility is a function of the biphoton's joint temporal intensity, and is therefore sensitive to that state's spectral phase variation: something that is not the case for Franson interferometry or Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometry. We highlight the CFI's utility by measuring its visibilities for two different biphoton states: one without and the other with spectral phase variation, observing a 21% reduction in the CFI visibility for the latter. The CFI is potentially useful for applications in areas of photonic entanglement, quantum communications, and quantum networking.

Quantum simulation and computing with Rydberg-interacting qubits

Arrays of optically trapped atoms excited to Rydberg states have recently emerged as a competitive physical platform for quantum simulation and computing, where high-fidelity state preparation and readout, quantum logic gates, and controlled quantum dynamics of more than 100 qubits have all been demonstrated. These systems are now approaching the point where reliable quantum computations with hundreds of qubits and realistically thousands of multiqubit gates with low error rates should be within reach for the first time. In this article, the authors give an overview of the Rydberg quantum toolbox, emphasizing the high degree of flexibility for encoding qubits, performing quantum operations, and engineering quantum many-body Hamiltonians. The authors then review the state-of-the-art concerning high-fidelity quantum operations and logic gates as well as quantum simulations in many-body regimes. Finally, the authors discuss computing schemes that are particularly suited to the Rydberg platform and some of the remaining challenges on the road to general purpose quantum simulators and quantum computers.

Feedforward-enhanced Fock state conversion with linear optics.

Engineering quantum states of light represents a crucial task in the vast majority of photonic quantum technology applications. Direct manipulation of the number of photons in the light signal, such as single-photon subtraction and addition, proved to be an efficient strategy for the task. Here we propose an adaptive multi-photon subtraction scheme where a particular subtraction task is conditioned by all previous subtraction events in order to maximize the probability of successful subtraction. We theoretically illustrate this technique on the model example of conversion of Fock states via photon subtraction. We also experimentally demonstrate the core building block of the proposal by implementing a feedforward-assisted conversion of two-photon state to a single-photon state. Our experiment combines two elementary photon subtraction blocks where the splitting ratio of the second subtraction beam splitter is affected by the measurement result from the first subtraction block in real time using an ultra-fast feedforward loop. The reported optimized photon subtraction scheme applies to a broad range of photonic states, including highly nonclassical Fock states and squeezed light, advancing the photonic quantum toolbox.

Unidirectional distributed acoustic reflection transducers for quantum applications

Recent significant advances in coupling superconducting qubits to acoustic wave resonators have led to demonstrations of quantum control of surface and bulk acoustic resonant modes as well as Wigner tomography of quantum states in these modes. These advances were achieved through the efficient coupling afforded by piezoelectric materials combined with GHz-frequency acoustic Fabry-Perot cavities. Quantum control of “itinerant” surface acoustic waves appears in reach but is challenging due to the limitations of conventional transducers in the appropriate gigahertz-frequency band. In particular, gigahertz-frequency unidirectional transducers would provide an important addition to the desired quantum toolbox, promising unit efficiency with directional control over the surface acoustic wave emission pattern. Here, we report the design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of unidirectional distributed acoustic reflection transducers demonstrating a high transduction frequency of 4.8 GHz with a peak directivity larger than 25 dB and a directivity greater than 15 dB over a bandwidth of 17 MHz. A numerical model reproduces the main features of the transducer response quite well, with ten adjustable parameters (most of which are constrained by geometric and physical considerations). This represents a significant step toward quantum control of itinerant quantum acoustic waves.

QuTiP-package applications to five-level atom with one mode

In this poster, we apply the Quantum Toolbox in Python (QuTiP) to study the interaction between a five-level atom and a single-mode cavity field. The non-classical statistical aspects such as the Mandel Q parameter, squeezing parameter, and linear entropy are investigated.

Dynamic evolution of double $$\Lambda $$ Λ five-level atom interacting with one-mode electromagnetic cavity field

In this paper, the model describing a double $$\Lambda $$ five-level atom interacting with a single mode electromagnetic cavity field in the (off) non-resonate case is studied. We obtained the constants of motion for the considered model. Also, the state vector of the wave function is given by using the Schrodinger equation when the atom is initially prepared in its excited state. The dynamical evolutions for the collapse revivals, the antibunching of photons and the field squeezing phenomena are investigated when the field is considered in a coherent state. The influence of detuning parameters on these phenomena is investigated. We noticed that the atom–field properties are influenced by changing the detuning parameters. The investigation of these aspects by numerical simulations is carried out using the Quantum Toolbox in Python (QuTip).

QuTiP 2: A Python framework for the dynamics of open quantum systems

We present version 2 of QuTiP, the Quantum Toolbox in Python. Compared to the preceding version [J.R. Johansson, P.D. Nation, F. Nori, Comput. Phys. Commun. 183 (2012) 1760.], we have introduced numerous new features, enhanced performance, and made changes in the Application Programming Interface (API) for improved functionality and consistency within the package, as well as increased compatibility with existing conventions used in other scientific software packages for Python. The most significant new features include efficient solvers for arbitrary time-dependent Hamiltonians and collapse operators, support for the Floquet formalism, and new solvers for Bloch–Redfield and Floquet–Markov master equations. Here we introduce these new features, demonstrate their use, and give a summary of the important backward-incompatible API changes introduced in this version. Program SummaryProgram title: QuTiP: The Quantum Toolbox in PythonCatalog identifier: AEMB_v2_0Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEMB_v2_0.htmlProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions: GNU General Public License, version 3No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 33625No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 410064Distribution format: tar.gzProgramming language: Python.Computer: i386, x86-64.Operating system: Linux, Mac OSX.RAM: 2+ GigabytesClassification: 7.External routines: NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, CythonCatalog identifier of previous version: AEMB_v1_0Journal reference of previous version: Comput. Phys. Comm. 183 (2012) 1760Does the new version supercede the previous version?: YesNature of problem: Dynamics of open quantum systemsSolution method: Numerical solutions to Lindblad, Floquet–Markov, and Bloch–Redfield master equations, as well as the Monte Carlo wave function method.Reasons for new version: Compared to the preceding version we have introduced numerous new features, enhanced performance, and made changes in the Application Programming Interface (API) for improved functionality and consistency within the package, as well as increased compatibility with existing conventions used in other scientific software packages for Python. The most significant new features include efficient solvers for arbitrary time-dependent Hamiltonians and collapse operators, support for the Floquet formalism, and new solvers for Bloch–Redfield and Floquet–Markov master equations.Restrictions: Problems must meet the criteria for using the master equation in Lindblad, Floquet–Markov, or Bloch–Redfield form.Running time: A few seconds up to several tens of hours, depending on size of the underlying Hilbert space.

QuTiP: An open-source Python framework for the dynamics of open quantum systems

We present an object-oriented open-source framework for solving the dynamics of open quantum systems written in Python. Arbitrary Hamiltonians, including time-dependent systems, may be built up from operators and states defined by a quantum object class, and then passed on to a choice of master equation or Monte Carlo solvers. We give an overview of the basic structure for the framework before detailing the numerical simulation of open system dynamics. Several examples are given to illustrate the build up to a complete calculation. Finally, we measure the performance of our library against that of current implementations. The framework described here is particularly well suited to the fields of quantum optics, superconducting circuit devices, nanomechanics, and trapped ions, while also being ideal for use in classroom instruction. Program summaryProgram title: QuTiP: The Quantum Toolbox in PythonCatalogue identifier: AEMB_v1_0Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEMB_v1_0.htmlProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queenʼs University, Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions: GNU General Public License, version 3No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 16 482No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 213 438Distribution format: tar.gzProgramming language: PythonComputer: i386, x86-64Operating system: Linux, Mac OSX, WindowsRAM: 2+ GigabytesClassification: 7External routines: NumPy (http://numpy.scipy.org/), SciPy (http://www.scipy.org/), Matplotlib (http://matplotlib.sourceforge.net/)Nature of problem: Dynamics of open quantum systems.Solution method: Numerical solutions to Lindblad master equation or Monte Carlo wave function method.Restrictions: Problems must meet the criteria for using the master equation in Lindblad form.Running time: A few seconds up to several tens of minutes, depending on size of underlying Hilbert space.

Quantum proofs for classical theorems

Alongside the development of quantum algorithms and quantum complexity theory in recent years, quantum techniques have also proved instrumental in obtaining results in diverse classical (non-quantum) areas, such as coding theory, communication complexity, and polynomial approximations. In this paper we survey these results and the quantum toolbox they use.