Controlling NMR spin systems for quantum computation

Nuclear magnetic resonance is arguably both the best available quantum technology for implementing simple quantum computing experiments and the worst technology for building large scale quantum computers that has ever been seriously put forward. After a few years of rapid growth, leading to an implementation of Shor's quantum factoring algorithm in a seven-spin system, the field started to reach its natural limits and further progress became challenging. Rather than pursuing more complex algorithms on larger systems, interest has now largely moved into developing techniques for the precise and efficient manipulation of spin states with the aim of developing methods that can be applied in other more scalable technologies and within conventional NMR. However, the user friendliness of NMR implementations means that they remain popular for proof-of-principle demonstrations of simple quantum information protocols.

Fast Quantum State Tomography in the Nitrogen Vacancy Center of Diamond

Quantum state tomography is the procedure for reconstructing unknown quantum states from a series of measurements of different observables. Depending on the physical system, different sets of observables have been used for this procedure. In the case of spin qubits, the most common procedure is to measure the transverse magnetization of the system as a function of time. Here, we present a different scheme that relies on time-independent observables and therefore does not require measurements at different evolution times, thereby greatly reducing the overall measurement time. To recover the full density matrix, we use a set of unitary operations that transform the density operator elements into the directly measurable observable. We demonstrate the performance of this scheme in the electron-nuclear spin system of the nitrogen vacancy center in diamond.

Robust universal photonic quantum gates operable with imperfect processes involved in diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers inside low-Q single-sided cavities

Robust universal quantum gates with an extremely high fidelity hold an important position in large-scale quantum computing. Here, we propose a scheme for several robust universal photonic quantum gates on a two-or three-photon system, including the controlled-NOT gate, the Toffoli gate, and the Fredkin gate, assisted by low-Q single-sided cavities. In our scheme, the quantum gates are robust against imperfect process occurring with the photons and the electron spins in diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers inside low-Q cavities. Errors due to the imperfect process are transferred to some heralding responses, which may lead to a direct recycling procedure to remedy the success probability of the quantum gates. As a result, the adverse impact of the imperfect process on fidelity is eliminated, greatly relaxing the restrictions on implementation of various quantum gates in experiments. Furthermore, the scheme is designed in a compact and heralded style, which can increase the robustness against environmental noise and local fluctuation, thus decreasing the operation time, the error probability, and the quantum resource consumption in a large-scale integrated quantum circuit. The near-unity fidelity and not-too-low efficiency with current achievable experimental techniques guarantees the feasibility of the scheme.

Self-error-corrected hyperparallel photonic quantum computation working with both the polarization and the spatial-mode degrees of freedom

Usually, the hyperparallel quantum computation can speed up quantum computing, reduce the quantum resource consumed largely, resist to noise, and simplify the storage of quantum information. Here, we present the first scheme for the self-error-corrected hyperparallel photonic quantum computation working with both the polarization and the spatial-mode degrees of freedom of photon systems simultaneously. It can prevent bit-flip errors from happening with an imperfect nonlinear interaction in the nearly realistic condition. We give the way to design the universal hyperparallel photonic quantum controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate on a two-photon system, resorting to the nonlinear interaction between the circularly polarized photon and the electron spin in the quantum dot in a double-sided microcavity system, by taking the imperfect interaction in the nearly realistic condition into account. Its self-error-corrected pattern prevents the bit-flip errors from happening in the hyperparallel quantum CNOT gate, guarantees the robust fidelity, and relaxes the requirement for its experiment. Meanwhile, this scheme works in a failure-heralded way. Also, we generalize this approach to achieve the self-error-corrected hyperparallel quantum CNOTN gate working on a multiple-photon system. These good features make this scheme more useful in the photonic quantum computation and quantum communication in the future.

Universal quantum gates for hybrid system assisted by atomic ensembles embedded in double-sided optical cavities

We propose deterministic schemes for controlled-NOT (CNOT), Toffoli, and Fredkin gates between flying photon qubits and the collective spin wave (magnon) of an atomic ensemble inside double-sided optical microcavities. All the gates can be accomplished with 100% success probability in principle and no additional qubit is required. Atomic ensemble is employed so that light-matter coupling is remarkably improved by collective enhancement. We qualified the performance of the gates and the results show that they can be faithfully constituted with current experimental techniques.

Experimental realization of nonadiabatic holonomic quantum computation

Because of its geometric nature, holonomic quantum computation is fault tolerant against certain types of control errors. Although proposed more than a decade ago, the experimental realization of holonomic quantum computation is still an open challenge. In this Letter, we report the first experimental demonstration of nonadiabatic holonomic quantum computation in a liquid NMR quantum information processor. Two noncommuting one-qubit holonomic gates, rotations about x and z axes, and the two-qubit holonomic CNOT gate are realized by evolving the work qubits and an ancillary qubit nonadiabatically. The successful realizations of these universal elementary gates in nonadiabatic holonomic quantum computation demonstrates the experimental feasibility of this quantum computing paradigm.

Quantum information processing by nuclear magnetic resonance on quadrupolar nuclei

Nuclear magnetic resonance is viewed as an important technique for the implementation of many quantum information algorithms and protocols. Although the most straightforward approach is to use the two-level system composed of spin 1/2 nuclei as qubits, quadrupolar nuclei, which possess a spin greater than 1/2, are being used as an alternative. In this study, we show some unique features of quadrupolar systems for quantum information processing, with an emphasis on the ability to execute efficient quantum state tomography (QST) using only global rotations of the spin system, whose performance is shown in detail. By preparing suitable states and implementing logical operations by numerically optimized pulses together with the QST method, we follow the stepwise execution of Grover's algorithm. We also review some work in the literature concerning the relaxation of pseudo-pure states in spin 3/2 systems as well as its modelling in both the Redfield and Kraus formalisms. These data are used to discuss differences in the behaviour of the quantum correlations observed for two-qubit systems implemented by spin 1/2 and quadrupolar spin 3/2 systems, also presented in the literature. The possibilities and advantages of using nuclear quadrupole resonance experiments for quantum information processing are also discussed.

Digital quantum simulation of the statistical mechanics of a frustrated magnet

Many problems of interest in physics, chemistry and computer science are equivalent to problems defined on systems of interacting spins. However, most such problems require computational resources that are out of reach with classical computers. A promising solution to overcome this challenge is quantum simulation. Several 'analogue' quantum simulations of interacting spin systems have been realized experimentally, where ground states were prepared using adiabatic techniques. Here we report a 'digital' quantum simulation of thermal states; a three-spin frustrated magnet was simulated using a nuclear magnetic resonance quantum information processor, and we were able to explore the phase diagram of the system at any simulated temperature and external field. These results help to identify the challenges for performing quantum simulations of physical systems at finite temperatures, and suggest methods that may be useful in simulating thermal open quantum systems.

Experimentally witnessing the quantumness of correlations

The quantification of quantum correlations (other than entanglement) usually entails labored numerical optimization procedures also demanding quantum state tomographic methods. Thus it is interesting to have a laboratory friendly witness for the nature of correlations. In this Letter we report a direct experimental implementation of such a witness in a room temperature nuclear magnetic resonance system. In our experiment the nature of correlations is revealed by performing only few local magnetization measurements. We also compared the witness results with those for the symmetric quantum discord and we obtained a fairly good agreement.

Numerical simulation of NQR/NMR: Applications in quantum computing

A numerical simulation program able to simulate nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) as well as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments is presented, written using the Mathematica package, aiming especially applications in quantum computing. The program makes use of the interaction picture to compute the effect of the relevant nuclear spin interactions, without any assumption about the relative size of each interaction. This makes the program flexible and versatile, being useful in a wide range of experimental situations, going from NQR (at zero or under small applied magnetic field) to high-field NMR experiments. Some conditions specifically required for quantum computing applications are implemented in the program, such as the possibility of use of elliptically polarized radiofrequency and the inclusion of first- and second-order terms in the average Hamiltonian expansion. A number of examples dealing with simple NQR and quadrupole-perturbed NMR experiments are presented, along with the proposal of experiments to create quantum pseudopure states and logic gates using NQR. The program and the various application examples are freely available through the link http://www.profanderson.net/files/nmr_nqr.php.

Density matrix tomography of singlet states

First direct and quantitative study of singlet states using density matrix tomography is reported. A robust scheme for the tomography of a general density matrix of two spin 1/2 nuclei is introduced for this purpose. The study is carried out at different spin-lock conditions and the results are compared.

Quantum simulation of a system with competing two- and three-body interactions

Quantum phase transitions occur at zero temperature, when the ground state of a Hamiltonian undergoes a qualitative change as a function of a control parameter. We consider a particularly interesting system with competing one-, two-, and three-body interactions. Depending on the relative strength of these interactions, the ground state of the system can be a product state, or it can exhibit genuine tripartite entanglement. We experimentally simulate such a system in a NMR quantum simulator and observe the different ground states. By adiabatically changing the strength of one coupling constant, we push the system from one ground state to a qualitatively different ground state. We show that these ground states can be distinguished and the transitions between them observed by measuring correlations between the spins or the expectation values of suitable entanglement witnesses.

Quantum adiabatic algorithm for factorization and its experimental implementation

We propose an adiabatic quantum algorithm capable of factorizing numbers, using fewer qubits than Shor's algorithm. We implement the algorithm in a NMR quantum information processor and experimentally factorize the number 21. In the range that our classical computer could simulate, the quantum adiabatic algorithm works well, providing evidence that the running time of this algorithm scales polynomially with the problem size.

Detection of quantum critical points by a probe qubit

Quantum phase transitions occur when the ground state of a quantum system undergoes a qualitative change when an external control parameter reaches a critical value. Here, we demonstrate a technique for studying quantum systems undergoing a phase transition by coupling the system to a probe qubit. It uses directly the increased sensibility of the quantum system to perturbations when it is close to a critical point. Using an NMR quantum simulator, we demonstrate this measurement technique for two different types of quantum phase transitions in an Ising spin chain.

Quantum state tomography for quadrupolar nuclei using global rotations of the spin system

In this paper, we describe a quantum state tomography method based on global rotations of the spin system which, together with a coherence selection scheme, enables the complete density matrix reconstruction. The main advantage of this technique, in respect to previous proposals, is the use of much shorter rf pulses, which decreases significantly the time necessary for algorithm quantum state tomography. In this case, under adequate experimental conditions, the rf pulses correspond to simple spatial rotations of the spin states, and its analytical description is conveniently given in the irreducible tensor formalism. Simulated results show the feasibility of the method for a single spin 72 nucleus. As an experimental result, we exemplify the application of this method by tomographing the steps during the implementation of the Deutsch algorithm. The algorithm was implemented in a (23)Na quadrupole nucleus using the strongly modulated pulses technique. We also extended the tomography method for a 3-coupled homonuclear spin 12 system, where an additional evolution under the internal Hamiltonian is necessary for zero order coherences evaluation.

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.

Use of non-adiabatic geometric phase for quantum computing by NMR

Geometric phases have stimulated researchers for its potential applications in many areas of science. One of them is fault-tolerant quantum computation. A preliminary requisite of quantum computation is the implementation of controlled dynamics of qubits. In controlled dynamics, one qubit undergoes coherent evolution and acquires appropriate phase, depending on the state of other qubits. If the evolution is geometric, then the phase acquired depend only on the geometry of the path executed, and is robust against certain types of error. This phenomenon leads to an inherently fault-tolerant quantum computation. Here we suggest a technique of using non-adiabatic geometric phase for quantum computation, using selective excitation. In a two-qubit system, we selectively evolve a suitable subsystem where the control qubit is in state |1, through a closed circuit. By this evolution, the target qubit gains a phase controlled by the state of the control qubit. Using the non-adiabatic geometric phase we demonstrate implementation of Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm and Grover's search algorithm in a two-qubit system.

Characterization of quantum algorithms by quantum process tomography using quadrupolar spins in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance

NMR quantum computing with qubit systems represented by nuclear spins (I=12) in small molecules in liquids has led to the most successful experimental quantum information processors so far. We use the quadrupolar spin-32 sodium nuclei of a NaNO3 single crystal as a virtual two-qubit system. The large quadrupolar coupling in comparison with the environmental interactions and the usage of strongly modulating pulses allow us to manipulate the system fast enough and at the same time keeping the decoherence reasonably slow. The experimental challenge is to characterize the "calculation" behavior of the quantum processor by process tomography which is here adapted to the quadrupolar spin system. The results of a selection of quantum gates and algorithms are presented as well as a detailed analysis of experimental results.

An Evaluation Framework and Instruction Set Architecture for Ion-Trap Based Quantum Micro-Architectures

The theoretical study of quantum computation has yielded efficient algorithms for some traditionally hard problems. Correspondingly, experimental work on the underlying physical implementation technology has progressed steadily. However, almost no work has yet been done which explores the architecture design space of large scale quantum computing systems. In this paper, we present a set of tools that enable the quantitative evaluation of architectures for quantum computers. The infrastructure we created comprises a complete compilation and simulation system for computers containing thousands of quantum bits. We begin by compiling complete algorithms into a quantum instruction set. This ISA enables the simple manipulation of quantum state. Another tool we developed automatically transforms quantum software into an equivalent, fault-tolerant version required to operate on real quantum devices. Next, our infrastructure transforms the ISA into a set of low-level micro architecture specific control operations. In the future, these operations can be used to directly control a quantum computer. For now, our simulation framework quickly uses them to determine the reliability of the application for the target micro architecture. Finally, we propose a simple, regular architecture for ion-trap based quantum computers. Using our software infrastructure, we evaluate the design trade offs of this micro architecture.

Experimental implementation of a concatenated quantum error-correcting code

Concatenated coding provides a general strategy to achieve the desired level of noise protection in quantum information processing. We report the implementation of a concatenated quantum error-correcting code able to correct phase errors with a strong correlated component. The experiment was performed using liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance techniques on a four spin subsystem of labeled crotonic acid. Our results show that concatenation between active and passive quantum error correction is a practical tool to handle realistic noise involving both independent and correlated errors.

Generation and interrogation of a pure nuclear spin state by parahydrogen-enhanced NMR spectroscopy: a defined initial state for quantum computation

We describe a number of studies used to establish that parahydrogen can be used to prepare a two-spin system in a pure state, which is suitable for implementing NMR quantum computation. States are generated by pulsed and continuous-wave (CW) UV laser initiation of a chemical reaction between Ru(CO)(3)(L(2)) [where L(2) = dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane or L(2) = dpae = 1,2-bis(diphenylarsino)ethane] with pure parahydrogen (generated at 18 K). This process forms Ru(CO)(2)(dppe)(H)(2) and Ru(CO)(2)(dpae)(H)(2) on a sub-microsecond time-scale. With the pulsed laser, the spin state of the hydride nuclei in Ru(CO)(2)(dppe)(H)(2) has a purity of 89.8 +/- 2.6% (from 12 measurements). To achieve comparable results by cooling would require a temperature of 6.6 mK, which is unmanageable in the liquid state, or an impractical magnetic field of 0.44 MT at room temperature. In the case of CW initiation, reduced state purities are observed due to natural signal relaxation even when a spin-lock is used to prevent dephasing. When Ru(CO)(3)(dpae) and pulsed laser excitation are utilized, the corresponding dihydride product spin state purity was determined as 106 +/- 4% of the theoretical maximum. In other words, the state prepared using Ru(CO)(3)(dpae) as the precursor is indistinguishable from a pure state.

Relaxation of pseudo pure states: the role of cross-correlations

In quantum information processing by NMR one of the major challenges is relaxation or decoherence. Often it is found that the equilibrium mixed state of a spin system is not suitable as an initial state for computation and a definite initial state is required to be prepared prior to the computation. As these preferred initial states are non-equilibrium states, they are not stationary and are destroyed with time as the spin system relaxes toward its equilibrium, introducing error in computation. Since it is not possible to cut off the relaxation processes completely, attempts are going on to develop alternate strategies like quantum error correction codes or noiseless subsystems. Here we study the relaxation behavior of various pseudo pure states and analyze the role of cross-terms between different relaxation processes, known as cross-correlation. It is found that while cross-correlations accelerate the relaxation of certain pseudo pure states, they retard that of others.

Full characterization of a three-photon Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state using quantum state tomography

We have performed the first experimental tomographic reconstruction of a three-photon polarization state. Quantum state tomography is a powerful tool for fully describing the density matrix of a quantum system. We measured 64 three-photon polarization correlations and used a "maximum-likelihood" reconstruction method to reconstruct the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state. The entanglement class has been characterized using an entanglement witness operator and the maximum predicted values for the Mermin inequality were extracted.

Preparing high purity initial states for nuclear magnetic resonance quantum computing

Here we demonstrate how parahydrogen can be used to prepare a two-spin system in an almost pure state which is suitable for implementing nuclear magnetic resonance quantum computation. A 12 ns laser pulse is used to initiate a chemical reaction involving pure parahydrogen (the nuclear spin singlet of H2). The product, formed on the micros time scale, contains a hydrogen-derived two-spin system with an effective spin-state purity of 0.916. To achieve a comparable result by direct cooling would require an unmanageable (in the liquid state) temperature of 6.4 mK or an impractical magnetic field of 0.45 MT at room temperature. The resulting spin state has an entanglement of formation of 0.822 and cannot be described by local hidden variable models.

Bell states of atoms with ultralong lifetimes and their tomographic state analysis

Arbitrary atomic Bell states with two trapped ions are generated in a deterministic and preprogrammed way. The resulting entanglement is quantitatively analyzed using various measures of entanglement. For this, we reconstruct the density matrix using single qubit rotations and subsequent measurements with near-unity detection efficiency. This procedure represents the basic building block for future process tomography of quantum computations. As a first application, the temporal decay of entanglement is investigated in detail. We observe ultralong lifetimes for the Bell states Psi(+/-), close to the fundamental limit set by the spontaneous emission from the metastable upper qubit level and longer than all reported values by 3 orders of magnitude.

“Spectral implementation” for creating a labeled pseudo-pure state and the Bernstein–Vazirani algorithm in a four-qubit nuclear magnetic resonance quantum processor

A quantum circuit is introduced to describe the preparation of a labeled pseudo-pure state by multiplet-component excitation scheme which has been experimentally implemented on a 4-qubit nuclear magnetic resonance quantum processor. Meanwhile, we theoretically analyze and numerically investigate the low-power selective single-pulse implementation of a controlled-rotation gate, which manifests its validity in our experiment. Based on the labeled pseudo-pure state prepared, a 3-qubit Bernstein-Vazirani algorithm has been experimentally demonstrated by spectral implementation. The "answers" of the computations are identified from the split peak positions in the spectra of the observer spin, which are equivalent to projective measurements required by the algorithms.

Spectral implementation of some quantum algorithms by one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance

Quantum information processing has been effectively demonstrated on a small number of qubits by nuclear magnetic resonance. An important subroutine in any computing is the readout of the output. "Spectral implementation" originally suggested by Z. L. Madi, R. Bruschweiler, and R. R. Ernst [J. Chem. Phys. 109, 10603 (1999)], provides an elegant method of readout with the use of an extra "observer" qubit. At the end of computation, detection of the observer qubit provides the output via the multiplet structure of its spectrum. In spectral implementation by two-dimensional experiment the observer qubit retains the memory of input state during computation, thereby providing correlated information on input and output, in the same spectrum. Spectral implementation of Grover's search algorithm, approximate quantum counting, a modified version of Berstein-Vazirani problem, and Hogg's algorithm are demonstrated here in three- and four-qubit systems.

Local realistic model for the dynamics of bulk-ensemble NMR information processing

We construct a local realistic hidden-variable model that describes the states and dynamics of bulk-ensemble NMR information processing up to about 12 nuclear spins. The existence of such a model rules out violation of any Bell inequality, temporal or otherwise, in present high-temperature, liquid-state NMR experiments. The model does not provide an efficient description in that the number of hidden variables grows exponentially with the number of nuclear spins.

Preparation of entangled states by adiabatic passage

We propose a novel technique for the creation of entangled pairs of two-state systems based upon adiabatic passage induced by a suitably crafted time-dependent external field.

Good dynamics versus bad kinematics: is entanglement needed for quantum computation?

We study the role of entanglement in quantum computation. We consider the case of a pure state contaminated by "white noise." This framework arises, for example, in pseudopure state implementations of quantum computing using NMR. We analyze quantum computational protocols which aim to solve exponential classical problems with polynomial resources and ask whether or not entanglement of the pseudopure states is needed to achieve this aim. We show that, for a large class of such protocols, including Shor's factorization, entanglement is necessary. We also show that achieving entanglement is not sufficient: If the state is sufficiently noisy, exponential resources are needed even if entanglement is present.

Implementing logic gates and the Deutsch-Jozsa quantum algorithm by two-dimensional NMR using spin- and transition-selective pulses

Quantum logical operations using two-dimensional NMR have recently been described using the scalar coupling evolution technique [J. Chem. Phys. 109, 10603 (1998)]. In the present paper, we describe the implementation of quantum logical operations using two-dimensional NMR, with the help of spin- and transition-selective pulses. A number of logic gates are implemented using two and three qubits with one extra observer spin. Some many-in-one gates (or Portmanteau gates) are also implemented. Toffoli gate (or AND/NAND gate) and OR/NOR gates are implemented on three qubits. The Deutsch-Jozsa quantum algorithm for one and two qubits, using one extra work qubit, has also been implemented using spin- and transition-selective pulses after creating a coherent superposition state in the two-dimensional methodology.