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A parallel, distributed memory implementation of the adaptive sampling configuration interaction method

The many-body simulation of quantum systems is an active field of research that involves several different methods targeting various computing platforms. Many methods commonly employed, particularly coupled cluster methods, have been adapted to leverage the latest advances in modern high-performance computing. Selected configuration interaction (sCI) methods have seen extensive usage and development in recent years. However, the development of sCI methods targeting massively parallel resources has been explored only in a few research works. Here, we present a parallel, distributed memory implementation of the adaptive sampling configuration interaction approach (ASCI) for sCI. In particular, we will address the key concerns pertaining to the parallelization of the determinant search and selection, Hamiltonian formation, and the variational eigenvalue calculation for the ASCI method. Load balancing in the search step is achieved through the application of memory-efficient determinant constraints originally developed for the ASCI-PT2 method. The presented benchmarks demonstrate near optimal speedup for ASCI calculations of Cr 2 (24e, 30o) with 10 6 , 10 7 , and 3 × 10 8 variational determinants on up to 16 384 CPUs. Importantly, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the largest variational ASCI calculation to date.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantum Zeno Control of Superconducting Qubit Coherence

The Quantum Zeno Effect (QZE) dictates how the dynamics of a quantum system can be modified through continuous or discrete measurements [1]. It has gained increasing attention in quantum computing community in recent years, both due to its inevitable implications for qubit readout as well as for its promise for enabling new methods of quantum state control such as reservoir engineering and Zeno-dragging. Here, we investigate Zeno effects implemented via weak measurements for controlling superconducting-qubit coherence during gate and readout operations in a multi-qubit setup. Building on prior observations [2] that measurement backaction can both suppress and enhance qubit relaxation, we predict and measure QZE-altered qubit coherence times by manipulating the spectral overlap of qubit spectrum with background noise sources. We also discuss modifications and opportunities for controllable QZE due to anharmonic effects in multi-level superconducting atoms. [1] S. Greenfield, A. Kamal, J. Dressel, E. Levenson-Falk, arXiv:2506.12679 (2025) [2] Thorbeck, Z. Xiao, L. Govia, A. Kamal, Phys. Rev. Lett. 132, 090602 (2024)

Seidel, Olivia [Texas U., Arlington; Fermilab]↗

Emergent properties of magnons coupled to microwave photons (Final Technical Report)

Studying the emergent properties of hybrid quantum material platforms holds great promise for advancing quantum technologies and transforming our ability to control quantum mechanical interactions. A key development in recent years is the recognition that magnons – the elementary quanta of spin waves – can serve as fundamental building blocks in quantum systems. Understanding the mechanisms behind the generation and control of hybrid quasiparticles based on magnons could pave the way for engineering new materials for quantum coherent processing and quantum computing. This research project focused on the precise control of light-matter interactions in magnetic hybrid systems and nanostructures, where light is carried by microwave photons and matter by magnons in engineered magnetic metamaterials. Furthermore, we investigated hybridized magnon interactions in magnetic nanostructures and devices. To this end, the project has developed new measurement techniques and systematically studied novel material systems for efficient magnon-photon coupling. A key focus was uncovering the fundamental mechanisms governing magnon-photon and magnon-phonon interactions – critical for utilizing magnons as coherent information transducers between carriers. Specifically, this research addressed: 1. Investigate the dispersion and collective properties of magnon hybrid systems in new material systems. 2. Develop magnonic hybrids with non-zero wavevectors and achieve effective control of magnon-polariton properties through engineered magnonic behaviors. 3. Determine how spin-orbit torques interact with electromagnetic fields in the strong coupling regime. This work generated new insights into the physics of magnonic hybrid systems and their emergent properties by broadening the range of material platforms and measurement techniques used to study magnon-photon and magnon-magnon coupling. The findings deepen our understanding of magnon-polaritons and lay the groundwork for novel spintronic devices with potential applications in quantum information science.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Generation of polarization entanglement via the quantum Zeno effect

The quantum Zeno effect reveals that continuous observation of a quantum system can significantly alter its evolution. Here, we present a method for establishing polarization entanglement between two initially unentangled photons in coupled waveguides via the quantum Zeno effect. We support our analytical investigation with numerical simulations of the underlying Schrodinger equation describing the system. Further, we extend our technique to three coupled waveguides in a planar configuration and determine the parameters required to generate three-qubit W-states. In contrast to existing schemes based on a vacuum and single-photon encoding, the polarization encoding in our approach is compatible with quantum information protocols that remove photon loss through post-selection. Our findings offer a powerful quantum state engineering approach for photonic quantum information technologies.

Nodurft, Ian C.↗

Quantum computing Floquet energy spectra

Quantum systems can be dynamically controlled using time-periodic external fields, leading to the concept of Floquet engineering, with promising technological applications. Computing Floquet energy spectra is harder than only computing ground state properties or single time-dependent trajectories, and scales exponentially with the Hilbert space dimension. Especially for strongly correlated systems in the low frequency limit, classical approaches based on truncation break down. Here, we present two quantum algorithms to determine effective Floquet modes and energy spectra. We combine the defining properties of Floquet modes in time and frequency domains with the expressiveness of parametrized quantum circuits to overcome the limitations of classical approaches. We benchmark our algorithms and provide an analysis of the key properties relevant for near-term quantum hardware.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA Tech Briefs, January 2003

Topics covered include: Optoelectronic Tool Adds Scale Marks to Photographic Images; Compact Interconnection Networks Based on Quantum Dots; Laterally Coupled Quantum-Dot Distributed-Feedback Lasers; Bit-Serial Adder Based on Quantum Dots; Stabilized Fiber-Optic Distribution of Reference Frequency; Delay/Doppler-Mapping GPS-Reflection Remote-Sensing System; Ladar System Identifies Obstacles Partly Hidden by Grass; Survivable Failure Data Recorders for Spacecraft; Fiber-Optic Ammonia Sensors; Silicon Membrane Mirrors with Electrostatic Shape Actuators; Nanoscale Hot-Wire Probes for Boundary-Layer Flows; Theodolite with CCD Camera for Safe Measurement of Laser-Beam Pointing; Efficient Coupling of Lasers to Telescopes with Obscuration; Aligning Three Off-Axis Mirrors with Help of a DOE; Calibrating Laser Gas Measurements by Use of Natural CO2; Laser Ranging Simulation Program; Micro-Ball-Lens Optical Switch Driven by SMA Actuator; Evaluation of Charge Storage and Decay in Spacecraft Insulators; Alkaline Capacitors Based on Nitride Nanoparticles; Low-EC-Content Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Li-Ion Cells; Software for a GPS-Reflection Remote-Sensing System; Software for Building Models of 3D Objects via the Internet; "Virtual Cockpit Window" for a Windowless Aerospacecraft; CLARAty Functional-Layer Software; Java Library for Input and Output of Image Data and Metadata; Software for Estimating Costs of Testing Rocket Engines; Energy-Absorbing, Lightweight Wheels; Viscoelastic Vibration Dampers for Turbomachine Blades; Soft Landing of Spacecraft on Energy-Absorbing Self-Deployable Cushions; Pneumatically Actuated Miniature Peristaltic Vacuum Pumps; Miniature Gas-Turbine Power Generator; Pressure-Sensor Assembly Technique; Wafer-Level Membrane-Transfer Process for Fabricating MEMS; A Reactive-Ion Etch for Patterning Piezoelectric Thin Film; Wavelet-Based Real-Time Diagnosis of Complex Systems; Quantum Search in Hilbert Space; Analytic Method for Computing Instrument Pointing Jitter; and Semiselective Optoelectronic Sensors for Monitoring Microbes.

Source record↗

There and Back Again: Reimagining Cryogenic Cooling for Scalable Arrays of Dilution Refrigerators for future Quantum Datacenters

While pulse tube cryocoolers enabled the rapid expansion of dilution refrigerator technology over the past two decades, the transition to large-scale quantum systems is now driving a reassessment of the DR’s higher-temperature-stage cooling strategies and how these systems can be effectively scaled in a modular way. Quasi-wet architectures based on centralized cryoplants and forced-flow helium distribution offer compelling advantages in energy efficiency, operational cost, and scalability. With appropriate redundancy, standardized interfaces, and optimized distribution system designs, these architectures will provide a practical and robust path forward for the next generation of quantum computing infrastructure.

Hansen, B. [Fermilab]↗

Dipolar molecule emulator of lattice gauge theories (Final Report)

The quantum many-body problem is a great unsolved, cross-cutting challenge in physics that is of fundamental importance. Our understanding of phenomena related to dense quark matter, in particular, is challenged by this practical intractability of classical simulations. Because of the sheer cost and challenge of performing experiments that probe the length and energy scales relevant to such physics, there are practical motivations for finding theoretical methods to address the many-body problem. One promising approach is based on the use of a programmable and controllable analog quantum systems to emulate the physics of many-body problems of interest. While there are currently broad efforts to develop mid- to large-scale quantum computers, we are still likely many years away from such devices outperforming classical supercomputers for useful calculations. Even though digital quantum computers are still at a stage too premature for such tasks, approaches based on analog quantum simulators have advanced rapidly over the past two decades and can now treat many-body problems of interest on small- to medium-scale systems. Tackling the challenging many-body problems of relevance to high energy physics represents one of the great new opportunities and challenges for the field of analog quantum simulation. To address this challenge, this award brought together an interdisciplinary team of physicists with expertise in high energy theory (El-Khadra and Draper), computational and condensed matter physics (Clark), and experimental quantum and atomic, molecular, optical (AMO) science (DeMarco and Gadway), with the goal of developing realistic and optimized strategies for the analog quantum simulation of lattice gauge theories using cold atoms and molecules. This track 1 project included both theoretical and experimental goals, stated as follows. The theory goals were to "develop and verify a novel approach to quantum emulation of (1+1)d quantum link models, based on arrays of trapped quantum spins with long-range interactions." This final project report details the progress made under this award, as well as new research directions developed under this award.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

(2+1)-dimensional compact Lifshitz theory, tensor gauge theory, and fractons

The (2+1)-dimensional continuum Lifshitz theory of a free compact scalar field plays a prominent role in a variety of quantum systems in condensed matter physics and high energy physics. It is known that in compact space, it has an infinite ground-state degeneracy. In order to understand this theory better, we consider two candidate lattice regularizations of it using the modified Villain formalism. We show that these two lattice theories have significantly different global symmetries (including a dipole global symmetry), anomalies, ground-state degeneracies, and dualities. In particular, one of them is self-dual. Given these theories and their global symmetries, we can couple them to corresponding gauge theories. Here, these are two different U(1) tensor gauge theories. The resulting models have excitations with restricted mobility, i.e., fractons. Finally, we give an exact lattice realization of the fracton and lineon-elasticity dualities for the Lifshitz theory, and scalar and vector charge gauge theories.

2-dimensional systems↗

Theorem on extensive spectral degeneracy for systems with rigid higher symmetries in general dimensions

We establish, in the spirit of the Lieb-Schultz-Mattis theorem, lower bounds on the spectral degeneracy of quantum systems with higher (gaugelike) symmetries with rather generic physical boundary conditions in an arbitrary number of spatial dimensions. Contrary to applying twists or equivalent adiabatic operations, we exploit the effects of modified boundary conditions. We find that when a general choice of boundary geometry is immaterial in determining spectral degeneracies while approaching the thermodynamic limit, systems that exhibit rigid noncommuting gaugelike symmetries, such as the orbital compass model, must have an exponential (in the size of the boundary) degeneracy of each of their spectral levels.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Few-Body Bound States and Resonances in Finite Volume

Since the pioneering work of Lüscher in the 1980s it is well known that considering quantum systems in finite volume, specifically, finite periodic boxes, can be used as a powerful computational tool to extract physical observables. While this formalism has been worked out in great detail in the two-body sector, much effort is currently being invested into deriving analogous relations for systems with more constituents. This work is relevant not only for nuclear physics, where lattice methods are now able to calculate few- and many-nucleon states, but also for other fields such as simulations of cold atoms. This article discusses recent progress regarding the extraction of few-body bound-state and resonance properties from finite-volume calculations of systems with an arbitrary number of constituents.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Continuous recoil-driven lasing and cavity frequency pinning with laser-cooled atoms

Abstract Laser-cooled gases of atoms interacting with the field of an optical cavity are a versatile tool for quantum sensing and the simulation of quantum systems. These systems can exhibit phenomena such as self-organization phase transitions, lasing mechanisms, squeezed states and protection of quantum coherence. However, investigations of these phenomena typically occur in a discontinuous manner due to the need to reload atomic ensembles. Here we demonstrate hours-long continuous lasing from laser-cooled 88 Sr atoms loaded into a ring cavity. The required inversion to produce lasing arises from inversion in the atomic-momentum degrees of freedom, which is linked to the self-organization phase transitions and collective atomic recoil lasing observed previously only in a cyclic fashion. We find that over a broad parameter range, the sensitivity of the lasing frequency to changes in cavity frequency is significantly reduced due to an atomic loss mechanism, suggesting a potential approach for mitigating low-frequency cavity noise. Our findings open opportunities for continuous cavity quantum electrodynamics experiments and robust and continuous super-radiant lasers.

Schäfer, Vera M. (ORCID:0000000210003737)↗

Combining the synergistic control capabilities of modeling and experiments: Illustration of finding a minimum-time quantum objective

A common way to manipulate a quantum system, for example spins or artificial atoms, is to use properly tailored control pulses. In order to accomplish quantum information tasks before coherence is lost, it is crucial to implement the control in the shortest possible time. Here we report the near time-optimal preparation of a Bell state with fidelity higher than 99% in an NMR experiment, which is feasible by combining the synergistic capabilities of modeling and experiments operating in tandem. In this work, the pulses preparing the Bell state are found by experiments that are recursively assisted with a gradient-based optimization algorithm working with a model. Thus, we exploit the interplay between model-based numerical optimal design and experimental-based learning control. Utilizing the balanced synergism between the dual approaches, as dictated by the case specific capabilities of each approach, should have broad applications for accelerating the search for optimal quantum controls.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Probing the edge states of Chern insulators using microwave impedance microscopy

Microwave impedance microscopy (MIM) has been utilized to directly visualize topological edge states in many quantum materials. While the microwave response for conventional metals and insulators can be accurately quantified using simple lumped-element circuits, whose applicability to more exotic quantum systems remain limited. In this work, we present a general theoretical framework of the MIM response of arbitrary quantum materials. Applying it to topological edge states in a Chern insulator predicts an enhanced MIM response at the crystal boundaries due to collective edge magnetoplasmon (EMP) excitations. The unique resonance frequency of these plasmonic modes allows one to disentangle the signatures of topological versus trivial edge states. To benchmark our analytical predictions, we experimentally probe the MIM response of quantum anomalous Hall edge states in a Cr-doped (Bi,Sb) 2 Te 3 topological insulator and perform numerical simulations using a classical formulation of the EMP modes based on this realistic tip-sample geometry, both of which yield results consistent with our theoretical picture. Here we also show how the technique of MIM can be used to quantitatively extract the topological invariant of a Chern insulator and shed light on the microscopic nature of dissipation along the crystal boundaries.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantum Physics without the Physics

This report explains the basic theory and common terminology of quantum physics without assuming any knowledge of physics. It was written by a group of applied mathematicians while they were reading up on the subject. The intended audience consists of applied mathematicians, computer scientists, or anyone else who wants to improve their understanding of quantum physics. We assume that the reader is familiar with fundamental concepts of linear algebra, differential equations, and to some extent the theory of Hilbert spaces. Most of the material can be found in the book by Nielsen and Chuang and in the lecture notes on open quantum systems by Lidar. Another excellent online source of information is Wikipedia, even though most of its articles on quantum physics assume a solid understanding of physics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

SCB Quantum Computers Using iSWAP and 1-Qubit Rotations

Units of superconducting circuitry that exploit the concept of the single- Cooper-pair box (SCB) have been built and are undergoing testing as prototypes of logic gates that could, in principle, constitute building blocks of clocked quantum computers. These units utilize quantized charge states as the quantum information-bearing degrees of freedom. An SCB is an artificial two-level quantum system that comprises a nanoscale superconducting electrode connected to a reservoir of Cooper-pair charges via a Josephson junction. The logical quantum states of the device, .0. and .1., are implemented physically as a pair of charge-number states that differ by 2e (where e is the charge of an electron). Typically, some 109 Cooper pairs are involved. Transitions between the logical states are accomplished by tunneling of Cooper pairs through the Josephson junction. Although the two-level system contains a macroscopic number of charges, in the superconducting regime, they behave collectively, as a Bose-Einstein condensate, making possible a coherent superposition of the two logical states. This possibility makes the SCB a candidate for the physical implementation of a qubit. A set of quantum logic operations and the gates that implement them is characterized as universal if, in principle, one can form combinations of the operations in the set to implement any desired quantum computation. To be able to design a practical quantum computer, one must first specify how to decompose any valid quantum computation into a sequence of elementary 1- and 2-qubit quantum gates that are universal and that can be realized in hardware that is feasible to fabricate. Traditionally, the set of universal gates has been taken to be the set of all 1-qubit quantum gates in conjunction with the controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate, which is a 2-qubit gate. Also, it has been known for some time that the SWAP gate, which implements square root of the simple 2-qubit exchange interaction, is as computationally universal as is the CNOT operation.

Williams, Colin↗

Optimal Zeno Dragging for Quantum Control: A Shortcut to Zeno with Action-Based Scheduling Optimization

The quantum Zeno effect asserts that quantum measurements inhibit simultaneous unitary dynamics when the “collapse” events are sufficiently strong and frequent. This applies in the limit of strong continuous measurement or dissipation. It is possible to implement a dissipative control that is known as “Zeno dragging” by dynamically varying the monitored observable, and hence also the eigenstates, which are attractors under Zeno dynamics. This is similar to adiabatic processes, in that the Zeno-dragging fidelity is highest when the rate of eigenstate change is slow compared to the measurement rate. We demonstrate here two theoretical methods for using such dynamics to achieve control of quantum systems. The first, which we shall refer to as “shortcut to Zeno,” is analogous to the shortcuts to adiabaticity (counterdiabatic driving) that are frequently used to accelerate unitary adiabatic evolution. In the second approach, we apply the Chantasri-Dressel-Jordan stochastic action [PRA 88, 042110 (2013)], and demonstrate that the extremal-probability readout paths derived from this are well suited to setting up a Pontryagin-style optimization of the Zeno-dragging schedule. A fundamental contribution of the latter approach is to show that an action suitable for measurement-driven control optimization can be derived quite generally from statistical arguments. Implementing these methods on the Zeno dragging of a qubit, we find that both approaches yield the same solution, namely, that the optimal control is a unitary that matches the motion of the Zeno-monitored eigenstate. We then show that such a solution can be more robust than a unitary-only operation and we comment on solvable generalizations of our qubit example embedded in larger systems. These methods open up new pathways toward systematically developing dynamic control of Zeno subspaces to realize dissipatively stabilized quantum operations. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Physics↗

Anomalies of non-invertible symmetries in (3+1)d

Anomalies of global symmetries are important tools for understanding the dynamics of quantum systems. We investigate anomalies of non-invertible symmetries in 3+1d using 4+1d bulk topological quantum field theories given by Abelian two-form gauge theories, with a 0-form permutation symmetry. Gauging the 0-form symmetry gives the 4+1d “inflow” symmetry topological field theory for the non-invertible symmetry. We find a two levels of anomalies: (1) the bulk may fail to have an appropriate set of loop excitations which can condense to trivialize the boundary dynamics, and (2) the “Frobenius-Schur indicator” of the non-invertible symmetry (generalizing the Frobenius-Schur indicator of 1+1d fusion categories) may be incompatible with trivial boundary dynamics. As a consequence we derive conditions for non-invertible symmetries in 3+1d to be compatible with symmetric gapped phases, and invertible gapped phases. Along the way, we see that the defects characterizing \mathbb{Z}_{4} ℤ 4 ordinary symmetry host worldvolume theories with time-reversal symmetry \mathsf{T} 𝖳 obeying the algebra \mathsf{T}^{2}=C 𝖳 2 = C or \mathsf{T}^{2}=(-1)^{F}C, 𝖳 2 = ( − 1 ) F C , with C C a unitary charge conjugation symmetry. We classify the anomalies of this symmetry algebra in 2+1d and further use these ideas to construct 2+1d topological orders with non-invertible time-reversal symmetry that permutes anyons. As a concrete realization of our general discussion, we construct new lattice Hamiltonian models in 3+1d with non-invertible symmetry, and constrain their dynamics.

Córdova, Clay↗