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At least 181 records · Page 10

Elucidating the local atomic and electronic structure of amorphous oxidized superconducting niobium films

Qubits made from superconducting materials are a mature platform for quantum information science application, such as quantum computing. However, material-based losses are now a limiting factor in reaching the coherence times needed for applications. In particular, knowledge of the atomistic structure and properties of the circuit materials is needed to identify, understand, and mitigate material-based decoherence channels. Here, we characterize the atomic structure of the native oxide film formed on Nb resonators by comparing fluctuation electron microscopy experiments to density functional theory calculations, finding that an amorphous layer is consistent with an Nb 2 O 5 stoichiometry. Comparing x-ray absorption measurements at the Oxygen K edge with first-principles calculations, we find evidence of d-type magnetic impurities in our sample, known to cause impedance in proximal superconductors. This work identifies the structural and chemical composition of the oxide layer grown on Nb superconductors and shows that soft x-ray absorption can fingerprint magnetic impurities in these superconducting systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

String-Breaking Dynamics in Quantum Adiabatic and Diabatic Processes

Confinement prohibits isolation of color charges, e.g., quarks, in nature via a process called string breaking : the separation of two charges results in an increase in the energy of a color flux, visualized as a string, connecting those charges. Eventually, creating additional charges is energetically favored, hence breaking the string. Such a phenomenon can be probed in simpler models, including quantum spin chains, enabling enhanced understanding of string-breaking dynamics. A challenging task is to understand how string breaking occurs as time elapses, in an out-of-equilibrium setting. This work establishes the phenomenology of dynamical string breaking induced by a gradual increase of string tension over time. It, thus, goes beyond instantaneous quench processes and enables tracking the real-time evolution of strings in a more controlled setting. We focus on domain-wall confinement in a family of quantum Ising chains. Our results indicate that, for sufficiently short strings and slow evolution, string breaking can be described by the transition dynamics of a two-state quantum system akin to a Landau-Zener process. For longer strings, a more intricate spatiotemporal pattern emerges: the string breaks by forming a superposition of bubbles (domains of flipped spins of varying sizes), which involve highly excited states. We finally demonstrate that string breaking driven only by quantum fluctuations can be realized in the presence of sufficiently long-ranged interactions. This work holds immediate relevance for studying string breaking in quantum-simulation experiments.

Ising model↗

Solving k –SAT problems with generalized quantum measurement

We generalize the projection–based quantum measurement–driven k –SAT algorithm of Benjamin, Zhao, and Fitzsimons to arbitrary strength quantum measurements, including the limit of continuous monitoring. In doing so, we clarify that this algorithm is a particular case of the measurement–driven quantum control strategy elsewhere referred to as “Zeno dragging”. We argue that the algorithm is most efficient with finite time and measurement resources in the continuum limit, where measurements have an infinitesimal strength and duration. Moreover, for solvable k -SAT problems, the dynamics generated by the algorithm converge deterministically towards target dynamics in the long–time (Zeno) limit, implying that the algorithm can successfully operate autonomously via Lindblad dissipation, without detection. We subsequently study both the conditional and unconditional dynamics of the algorithm implemented via generalized measurements, quantifying the advantages of detection for heralding errors. These strategies are investigated first in a computationally–trivial 2-qubit 2-SAT problem to build intuition, and then we consider the scaling of the algorithm on 3-SAT problems encoded with 4–10 qubits. We numerically investigate the scaling of 3-SAT with respect to algorithmic runtime and find that the optimized time to solution scales with qubit number n as λ n , where λ is slightly larger than $\sqrt{2}$ for unconditional dynamics and less than $\sqrt{2}$ for conditional dynamics. We assess the implications for using this analog measurement–driven approach to quantum computing in practice.

quantum information↗

Assessing Resilience in Lane Detection Methods: Infrastructure-Based Sensors and Traditional Approaches for Autonomous Vehicles

Traditional autonomous vehicle perception subsystems that use onboard sensors have the drawbacks of high computational load and data duplication. Infrastructure-based sensors, which can provide high quality information without the computational burden and data duplication, are an alternative to traditional autonomous vehicle perception subsystems. However, these technologies are still in the early stages of development and have not been extensively evaluated for lane detection system performance. Therefore, there is a lack of quantitative data on their performance relative to traditional perception methods, especially during hazardous scenarios, such as lane line occlusion, sensor failure, and environmental obstructions. We address this need by evaluating the influence of hazards on the resilience of three different lane detection methods in simulation: (1) traditional camera detection using a U-Net algorithm, (2) radar detections using infrastructure-based radar retro-reflectors (RRs), and (3) direct communication of lane line information using chip-enabled raised pavement markers (CERPMs). The performance of each of these methods is assessed using resilience engineering metrics by simulating the individual methods for each sensor technology’s response to related hazards in the CARLA simulator. Using simulation techniques to replicate these methods and hazards acquires extensive datasets without lengthy time investments. Specifically, the resilience triangle was used to quantitatively measure the resilience of the lane detection system to obtain unique insights into each of the three lane detection methods; notably the infrastructure-based CERPMs and RRs had high resistance to hazards and were not as easily affected as the vision-based U-Net. However, while U-Net was able to recover the fastest from the disruption as compared to the other two methods, it also had the most performance loss. Overall, this study demonstrates that while infrastructure-based lane keeping technologies are still in early development, they have great potential as alternatives to traditional ones.

Patil, Pritesh↗

Anti-$\mathscr{PT}$-symmetric qubit: Decoherence and entanglement entropy

We investigate the dynamics of a general two-level based anti-parity-time (anti-$\mathscr{PT}$)-symmetric qubit and study its decoherence as well as entanglement entropy properties. We compare our findings with that of the corresponding parity-time ($\mathscr{PT}$)-symmetric and Hermitian qubits. To begin, we consider the time-dependent Dyson map to find the exact analytical dynamics for a general non-Hermitian qubit system weakly coupled with a thermal bath for pure dephasing, before specializing it to the case of a general anti-$\mathscr{PT}$-symmetric qubit. Basing the comparison under the same coupling strength or increasing the non-Hermiticity, we observe that the decoherence function and entanglement entropy of the anti-$\mathscr{PT}$-symmetric qubit decays and grows more slowly, respectively, compared to the $\mathscr{PT}$-symmetric and Hermitian qubits. Similarly, the corresponding variance and area of Fisher information are much higher compared to the $\mathscr{PT}$-symmetric and Hermitian qubits. These results demonstrate that anti-$\mathscr{PT}$-symmetric qubits may be better suited for quantum computing and quantum information processing applications than conventional Hermitian or even $\mathscr{PT}$-symmetric qubits.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Quantum Information Encoding and Decoding for Quantum Sensi

This two-year theory project focused on theoretical investigations of novel paradigms for quantum sensing, building on information encoding and techniques from quantum error correction, quantum computing and other quantum information domains. The outcomes facilitate quantum information technology development, especially at the interface of quantum computing and quantum sensing. The results of the project show new use cases and new paradigms for quantum sensing beyond what has so far been considered. One outcome shows how quantum sensing opens new opportunities for fundamental physics such as the capability of single graviton detection. Another outcome reveals a new application of NISQ quantum computers with error correction for metrology, building on recent advances in practical quantum error correction implementation. The third outcome of the project creates new paradigms of back-action-evading sensing inspired by collective quantum information encoding, which achieves quantum sensing beyond the quantum limit without the use of entanglement.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Information Processing Capacity of Spintronic Oscillator

Physical reservoir computing is a framework that enables energy‐efficient information processing by using physical systems. Nonlinear dynamics in physical systems provide a computational capability that is unique to reservoirs. It is, however, difficult to find an appropriate task for a reservoir because of the complexity of nonlinear information processing. The information processing capacity has recently been used to clarify systematically the tasks that are solved by reservoirs; it quantifies the memory capacity of reservoirs in accordance with the order of nonlinearity. Herein, an experimental evaluation of the information processing capacity of a spintronic oscillator consisting of nanostructured ferromagnets is reported. The spintronic reservoir state is electrically manipulated by adding a delayed‐feedback circuit. The total capacity reaches a maximum of 5.6 at the edge of the echo state property. A trade‐off between the linear and nonlinear components of the capacity is also found. The result can be used to better understand the nonlinear information processing in reservoirs and to find good matches between reservoirs and tasks. As an example, a function‐approximation task is performed and it is found that it can be efficiently solved when the reservoir state is appropriately tuned so that its information processing capacity matches that of the task.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

On the hardness of learning ground state entanglement of geometrically local Hamiltonians

Characterizing the entanglement structure of ground states of local Hamiltonians is a fundamental problem in quantum information. In this work we study the computational complexity of this problem, given the Hamiltonian as input. Our main result is that to show it is cryptographically hard to determine if the ground state of a geometrically local, polynomially gapped Hamiltonian on qudits (d=O(1)) has near-area law vs near-volume law entanglement. This improves prior work of Bouland et al. (arXiv:2311.12017) showing this for non-geometrically local Hamiltonians. In particular we show this problem is roughly factoring-hard in 1D, and LWE-hard in 2D. Our proof works by constructing a novel form of public-key pseudo-entanglement which is highly space-efficient, and combining this with a modification of Gottesman and Irani's quantum Turing machine to Hamiltonian construction. Our work suggests that the problem of learning so-called "gapless" quantum phases of matter might be intractable.

Computational Complexity (cs.CC)↗

Computing system operational methods and apparatus

Computing system operational methods and apparatus are described. According to one aspect, a computing system operational method includes accessing user information regarding a user logging onto a computing device of the computing system, processing the user information to determine if the user information is authentic, as a result of the processing determining that the user information is authentic, first enabling the computing device to execute an application segment, and as a result of the processing determining that the user information is authentic, second enabling the application segment to communicate data externally of the computing device via one of a plurality of network segments of the computing system.

Edgar, Thomas W.↗

Development of a Method for Shape Optimization for a Gas Turbine Fuel Injector Design Using Metal-Additive Manufacturing

Adjoint shape optimization has enabled physics-based optimal designs for aerodynamic surfaces. Additive manufacturing (AM) makes it possible to manufacture complex shapes. However, there has been a gap between optimal and manufacturable surfaces due to the inherent limitations of commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes to implement geometric constraints during adjoint computation. In such cases, the design sensitivities are exported and used to perform constrained shape modifications using parametric information stored in computer aided design (CAD) files to satisfy manufacturability constraints. However, modifying the design using adjoint methods in CFD solvers and performing constrained shape modification in CAD can lead to inconsistencies due to different shape parameterization schemes. This paper describes a method to enable the simultaneous optimization of the fluid domain and impose AM manufacturability constraints, resolving one of the key issues of geometry definition for isogeometric analysis. Similar to a grid convergence study, the proposed method verifies the consistencies between shape parameterization techniques present within commercial CAD and CFD software during mesh movement as a part of the adjoint shape optimization routine. By identifying the appropriate parameters essential to a shape optimization study, the error metric between the different parameterization techniques converges to demonstrate sufficient consistencies for justifiable exchange of data between CAD and CFD. For the identified shape optimization parameters, the error metric to measure the deviation between the two parameterization schemes lies within the AM laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) process tolerance. Additionally, comparison for subsequent objective function calculations between iterations of the optimization loop showed acceptable differences within 1% variation between the modified geometries obtained using the two parameterization schemes. This method provides justification for the use of multiphysics guided adjoint design sensitivities computed in CFD software to perform shape modifications in CAD to incorporate AM manufacturability constraints during the shape optimization loop such that optimal designs are also additively manufacturable.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Practical Introduction to Benchmarking and Characterization of Quantum Computers

Rapid progress in quantum technology has transformed quantum computing and quantum information science from theoretical possibilities into tangible engineering challenges. Breakthroughs in quantum algorithms, quantum simulations, and quantum error correction are bringing useful quantum computation closer to fruition. These remarkable achievements have been facilitated by advances in quantum characterization, verification, and validation (QCVV). QCVV methods and protocols enable scientists and engineers to scrutinize, understand, and enhance the performance of quantum information-processing devices. In this tutorial, we review the fundamental principles underpinning QCVV, and introduce a diverse array of QCVV tools used by quantum researchers. We define and explain QCVV’s core models and concepts—quantum states, measurements, and processes—and illustrate how these building blocks are leveraged to examine a target system or operation. We survey and introduce protocols ranging from simple qubit characterization to advanced benchmarking methods. Along the way, we provide illustrated examples and detailed descriptions of the protocols, highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each, and discuss their potential scalability to future large-scale quantum computers. This tutorial serves as a guidebook for researchers unfamiliar with the benchmarking and characterization of quantum computers, and also as a detailed reference for experienced practitioners.

open quantum systems & decoherence↗

Efficient Preparation of Dicke States

Here, we present an algorithm utilizing midcircuit measurement and feedback that prepares Dicke states with polylogarithmically many ancillae and polylogarithmic depth. Our algorithm uses only global midcircuit projective measurements and adaptively chosen global rotations. This improves over prior work that was only efficient for Dicke states of low weight or was not efficient in both depth and width. Our algorithm can also naturally be implemented in a cavity QED context using logarithmic time, zero ancillae, and atom-photon coupling scaling with the square root of the system size.

cavity methods↗

Y-12 Groundwater Protection Program Data Management Plan

This Data Management Plan (DMP) describes the processes in place to ensure the integrity of groundwater monitoring information collected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12), Groundwater Protection Program (GWPP). This information includes program plans, reports, and computer systems used to capture monitoring station information and analytical data. The primary computer system used by the GWPP is the Groundwater Information Management System (GIMS). Procedures used to ensure the integrity of the data are included in this document by reference.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

The Python’s Lunch: geometric obstructions to decoding Hawking radiation

According to Harlow and Hayden [ arXiv:1301.4504 ] the task of distilling information out of Hawking radiation appears to be computationally hard despite the fact that the quantum state of the black hole and its radiation is relatively un-complex. We trace this computational difficulty to a geometric obstruction in the Einstein-Rosen bridge connecting the black hole and its radiation. Inspired by tensor network models, we conjecture a precise formula relating the computational hardness of distilling information to geometric properties of the wormhole — specifically to the exponential of the difference in generalized entropies between the two non-minimal quantum extremal surfaces that constitute the obstruction. Due to its shape, we call this obstruction the ‘Python’s Lunch’, in analogy to the reptile’s postprandial bulge.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Hamiltonian simulation in the low-energy subspace

Abstract We study the problem of simulating the dynamics of spin systems when the initial state is supported on a subspace of low energy of a Hamiltonian H . This is a central problem in physics with vast applications in many-body systems and beyond, where the interesting physics takes place in the low-energy sector. We analyze error bounds induced by product formulas that approximate the evolution operator and show that these bounds depend on an effective low-energy norm of H . We find improvements over the best previous complexities of product formulas that apply to the general case, and these improvements are more significant for long evolution times that scale with the system size and/or small approximation errors. To obtain these improvements, we prove exponentially decaying upper bounds on the leakage to high-energy subspaces due to the product formula. Our results provide a path to a systematic study of Hamiltonian simulation at low energies, which will be required to push quantum simulation closer to reality.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Hamiltonian Simulation [Slides]

Given a (qubit) quantum system modeled by a Hamiltonian H, use a quantum computer to obtain time-evolved properties of the system. One way of solving this problem is by actually preparing the evolved quantum state (in some encoded fashion). The goal is to provide a sequence of elementary 1 and 2-qubit gates that would prepare such a state.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Topological Analysis of The SPOKE Graph

The SPOKE graph [2, 6] is a sparse decorated semantic graph representing a collection of knowledge collected in many scientific databases from the fields of healthcare, biochemistry, chemistry, biology, et cetera. This knowledge graph is stored as a relational dataset decorated with metadata on each constituent vertex and edge. Formally, the graph is G(V, E, D), where V is a set of n vertices V := {1, ..., n} and edges of the form (i, j) ϵ E for i, j ϵ V, and table D that for any item in V υ E stores unstructured data such as vertex/edge type, nature of a relationship, et cetera. D(i) = {data involving vertex i ϵ V}, and D(i, j) = {data involving edge (i, j) ϵ E}. Here, we treat the graph as undirected in the sense that a direct relationship for (i, j) causes a (possibly opposite) reverse direct relationship for (j, i). The SPOKE graph G(V, E, D) is formed by processing a collection of relational datasets from medicine, chemistry, and biology, connecting many entities. Here, we analyze an instance from 2019, Spoke-20190707, where a graph file contains 6.16M edges and associated metadata and a vertex file contains 2.15M vertices and the associated metadata. There are 12 different types of vertex entities; all edge types used are implicit (see §2). There is other metadata in D on edges and vertices, but we just use the topology and the vertex labels in this report. SPOKE is growing as more knowledge is gained and more datasets are added. SPOKE is likely to grow 10x during the next phase of this project, and we therefore would like to consider topoligical analysis techniques that are scalable to several orders of magnitude larger than the current dataset (say >1B edges).

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗