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DOE OSTI2025

Observable measurement-induced transitions

One of the main postulates of quantum mechanics is that measurements destroy quantum coherence (wave function collapse). Recently it was discovered that in a many-body system dilute local measurements still preserve some coherence across the entire system. As the measurement density is increased, a phase transition occurs that is characterized by the disentanglement of different parts of the system. Unfortunately, this transition is impossible to observe experimentally for macroscopic systems because it requires an exponentially costly full tomography of the many-body wave function or a comparison with the simulation on an oracle classical computer. In this work we report the discovery of another measurement-induced phase transition that can be observed experimentally if quantum dynamics can be reversed. On one side of this phase transition the quantum information encoded in some part of the Hilbert space is fully recovered after the time inversion. On the other side, all quantum information is corrupted. This transition also manifests itself as the change in the behavior of the probability to observe the same measurement outcome in the process that consists of identical blocks repeated many times. In each block the unitary evolution is followed by the measurement. On one side of the transition the probability decreases exponentially with the number of repetitions, on the other it tends to a constant as the number of repetitions is increased. We confirm the existence of the proposed phase transition through numerical simulations of realistic quantum circuits and analytical calculations using an effective random-matrix theory model.

Measurement-induced phase transitions↗

DOE OSTI2026

A unified neural-network framework for nucleon imaging from numerical simulations of QCD

Parton distributions encode the momentum-space structure and, in their generalizations, the spatial tomography of quarks and gluons inside hadrons, the building blocks of visible matter. We present a unified neural-network approach that learns these distributions directly from matrix elements calculated via numerical simulations of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) on the lattice by fitting two complementary inputs simultaneously: data matched to physical quantities via known momentum-space and coordinate-space formalisms. Utilizing data from both methods stabilizes the extraction and mitigates biases that can arise when either is used alone. We validate the method on controlled mock data and apply it to lattice-QCD matrix elements to extract parton distribution functions (PDFs). We show benefits of such an approach for determining the physical quantities. We further extend the framework to zero-skewness generalized parton distributions and demonstrate nucleon tomography within the same neural-network parameterization. Our results provide an adaptable and systematically improvable approach for extracting partonic distributions from Euclidean correlators. It can incorporate polarization, additional channels, and future experimental constraints from current and future facilities, such as the Electron-Ion Collider.

Hadronic Spectroscopy↗

DOE OSTI2025

High Mobility and Electrostatics in GeSn Quantum Wells With SiGeSn Barriers

GeSn is an emerging material with potential applications in next‐generation integrated optoelectronics and quantum information processing. While GeSn/SiGeSn quantum wells exhibit promising optical properties, their electrical transport characteristics and governing electrostatics in gated structures remain unexplored. Heterostructure field‐effect transistors are fabricated using GeSn/SiGeSn quantum wells and electronic transport properties of 2D holes are characterized. At 2 K, heterostructure field‐effect transistors with well/barrier compositions of Ge 0.945 Sn 0.055 /Si 0.03 Ge 0.93 Sn 0.04 and Ge 0.9 Sn 0.1 /Si 0.017 Ge 0.927 Sn 0.056 , show peak mobilities of 9000 and 19 000 cm 2 /Vs, respectively, the latter setting a record for the highest mobility reported for GeSn quantum wells with a Sn concentration around 6 % or greater. Remarkably, at low carrier densities, devices with a SiGeSn barrier exhibit mobilities several times higher than previously reported for GeSn quantum wells with a Ge barrier. This higher mobility contrasts with the expectation that alloy scattering from the barrier would reduce carrier mobility. Two mechanisms based on atom probe tomography data analyses are proposed: i) unintentionally improved SiGeSn/GeSn interface and/or ii) reduced alloy scattering from short‐range order. Significant current–voltage hysteresis is observed, with the effective threshold gate voltage shifting by more than 5 V, attributed to non‐equilibrium trapped charge at various interfaces within the SiGeSn heterostructure.

GeSn↗

DOE OSTI2024

Stimulated emission tomography for efficient characterization of spatial entanglement

Stimulated-emission tomography (SET) is an excellent tool for characterizing the process of spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC), which is commonly used to create pairs of entangled photons for use in quantum information protocols. The use of stimulated emission increases the average number of detected photons by several orders of magnitude compared to the spontaneous process. In a SET measurement, the parametric down conversion is seeded by an intense signal field prepared with specified mode properties rather than by broadband multimodal vacuum fluctuations, as is the case for the spontaneous process. The SET process generates an intense idler field in a mode that is the complex conjugate to the signal mode. In this work we use SET to estimate the joint spatial mode distribution (JSMD) in the Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) basis of the two photons of an entangled photon pair. The pair is produced by parametric down conversion in a beta barium borate (BBO) crystal with type-II phase matching pumped at a wavelength of 405 nm along with a 780 nm seed signal beam prepared in a variety of LG modes to generate an 842 nm idler beam of which the spatial mode distribution is measured. We observe strong idler production and good agreement with the theoretical prediction of its spatial mode distribution. Our experimental procedure should enable the efficient determination of the photon-pair wavefunctions produced by low-brightness SPDC sources and the characterization of high-dimensional entangled-photon pairs. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Xu, Yang (ORCID:0009000954547320)↗

DOE OSTI2024

Scalable Experimental Bounds for Entangled Quantum State Fidelities

Estimating the state preparation fidelity of highly entangled states on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices is important for benchmarking and application considerations. Unfortunately, exact fidelity measurements quickly become prohibitively expensive, as they scale exponentially as O(3 N for N-qubit states, using full state tomography with measurements in all Pauli bases combinations. However, Somma et al.established that the complexity could be drastically reduced when looking at fidelity lower bounds for states that exhibit symmetries, such as Dicke states and GHZ states. These bounds must still be tight enough for larger states to provide reasonable estimations on NISQ devices. For the first time and more than 15 years after the theoretical introduction, we report meaningful lower bounds for the state preparation fidelity of all Dicke states up to N=10 and all GHZ states up to N=20 on Quantinuum H1 ion-trap systems using efficient implementations of recently proposed scalable circuits for these states. Our achieved lower bounds match or exceed previously reported exact fidelities on superconducting systems for much smaller states. Furthermore, we provide evidence that for large Dicke states |$D^{N}_{N/2}\rangle$, we may resort to a GHZ-based approximate state preparation to achieve better fidelity. This work provides a path forward to benchmarking entanglement as NISQ devices improve in size and quality.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2024

Quantum Pair Generation in Nonlinear Metasurfaces with Mixed and Pure Photon Polarizations

Metasurfaces are highly effective at manipulating classical light in the linear regime; however, effectively controlling the polarization of nonclassical light generated from nonlinear resonant metasurfaces remains a challenge. Here, in this study, we present a solution by achieving polarization engineering of frequency-nondegenerate biphotons emitted via spontaneous parametric down-conversion in GaAs metasurfaces, utilizing quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBIC) resonances to enhance biphoton generation. Through comprehensive polarization tomography, we demonstrate that the emitted photons’ polarization directly reflects the qBIC mode’s far-field properties. Furthermore, we show that both the type of qBIC mode and the symmetry of the meta-atoms can be tailored to control each single-photon polarization state, and that the subsequent two-photon polarization states are nearly separable, offering potential applications in the heralded generation of single photons with adjustable polarization. This work provides a significant step toward utilizing metasurfaces to generate quantum light and engineer their polarization, a critical aspect for future quantum technologies.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2026

Distribution of 7 Li implants in Nb films for a sterile neutrino search

The Beryllium-7 Electron capture in Superconducting Tunnel junctions (BeEST) experiment searches for sub-MeV sterile neutrinos by measuring the 7 Li recoil spectrum from 7 Be decay in Ta-based superconducting quantum sensors. Its sensitivity is limited by spectral broadening from interactions between 7 Be/ 7 Li and the Ta host material. This study investigates Nb as an alternative sensor material using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) on 7 Li-implanted Nb films (∼0.5 at. %). STEM shows no 7 Li cluster formation and no implantation-induced microstructural degradation, while APT reveals some limited 7 Li segregation to grain boundaries. Although this segregation may slightly influence binding energies, it is unlikely to affect the broadening of the recoil spectrum significantly. These findings support Nb as a viable sensor material for future phases of the BeEST experiment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2024

Machine Learning for Predictive Performance Analysis in Charged Particle Beam Tools

Imaging methods driven by probes, electrons, and ions have played a dominant role in modern science and engineering. Opportunities for machine vision and AI that focus on consumer problems like driving and feature recognition, are now presenting themselves for automating aspects of the scientific processes. This proposal aims to enable and drive discovery in ultra-low energy implantation by taking advantage of faster processing, flexible control and detection methods, and architecture-agnostic workflows that will result in higher efficiency and shorter scientific development cycles. Custom microscope control, collection and analysis hardware will provide a framework for conducting novel in situ experiments revealing unprecedented insight into surface dynamics at the nanoscale. Ion implantation is a key capability for the semiconductor industry. As devices shrink, novel materials enter the manufacturing line, and quantum technologies transition to being more mainstream. Traditional implantation methods fall short in terms of energy, ion species, and positional precision. Here we demonstrate 1 keV focused ion beam Au implantation into Si and validate the results via atom probe tomography. We show the Au implant depth at 1 keV is 0.8 nm and that identical results for low energy ion implants can be achieved by either lowering the column voltage, or decelerating ions using bias – while maintaining a sub-micron beam focus. We compare our experimental results to static calculations using SRIM and dynamic calculations using binary collision approximation codes TRIDYN and IMSIL. A large discrepancy between the static and dynamic simulation is found that is due to lattice enrichment with high stopping power Au and surface sputtering. Additionally, we demonstrate how model details are particularly important to the simulation of these low-energy heavy-ion implantations. Finally, we discuss how our results pave a way to much lower implantation energies, while maintaining high spatial resolution.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Three-dimensional structure of buried heterointerfaces revealed by multislice ptychography

Here, we report on the three-dimensional (3D) structure determination of a twisted hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) heterointerface from a single-view dataset using multislice ptychography. We identify the buried heterointerface between two twisted h-BN flakes with a lateral resolution of 0.57 Å and a depth resolution of 2.5 nm. The latter represents a significant improvement (∼2.7 times) over the aperture-limited depth resolution of incoherent imaging modes, such as annular-dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy. This improvement is attributed to the diffraction signal extending beyond the aperture edge, with the depth resolution set by the curvature of the Ewald sphere. Future advancements in this approach could enhance the depth resolution to the subnanometer level and enable the identification of individual dopants, defects, and color centers in twisted heterointerfaces and other materials.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2026

Efficient Measurement-Driven Eigenenergy Estimation with Classical Shadows

Quantum algorithms exploiting real-time evolution under a target Hamiltonian have demonstrated remarkable efficiency in extracting key spectral information. However, the broader potential of these methods, particularly beyond ground-state calculations, is underexplored. In this work, we introduce the framework of multiobservable dynamic mode decomposition (MODMD), which combines the observable dynamic mode decomposition (DMD), a measurement-driven eigensolver tailored for near-term implementation, with classical shadow tomography. MODMD leverages random scrambling in the classical shadow technique to construct, with exponentially reduced resource requirements, a signal subspace that encodes rich spectral information. Notably, we replace typical Hadamard-test circuits with a protocol designed to predict low-rank observables, thereby broadening the use of classical shadow tomography for predicting many low-rank observables. We establish theoretical guarantees on the spectral approximation from MODMD, taking into account distinct sources of error. In the ideal case, we prove that the spectral error scales as exp (−Δ⁢𝐸⁢𝑡 max ), where Δ⁢𝐸 is the Hamiltonian spectral gap and 𝑡 max is the maximal simulation time. This analysis provides a rigorous justification of the rapid convergence observed across simulations. To demonstrate the utility of our framework, we consider its application to fundamental tasks, such as determining the low-lying, i.e., ground or excited, energies of representative many-body systems. Our work paves the path for efficient designs of measurement-driven algorithms on near-term and early fault-tolerant quantum devices.

quantum algorithms & computation↗

DOE OSTI2026

Identifying Decoherence Mechanisms in Superconducting Qubits through Advanced Materials Characterization

Although superconducting qubits have emerged as a leading technology platform for quantum computing through large improvements in device coherence times and gate fidelity in recent years, the presence of defects and impurities at the interfaces and surfaces in the constituent materials continue to limit performance and serve as a critical barrier in achieving scalable quantum systems. Understanding and eliminating these sources of quantum decoherence in superconducting qubit devices requires dedicated studies aimed at establishing robust structure-property relationships that will enable researchers to target and eliminate defects strategically. As part of the Superconducting Materials and Systems (SQMS) center, we have extensively employed state-of-the-art materials characterization techniques, including scanning/transmission electron microscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, atom probe tomography, x-ray diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in conjunction with device measurements to elucidate such relationships. In this talk, I will discuss some of our recent findings, including linking atomic defects to microwave loss in surface oxides, linking impurities in the Josephson Junction to qubit parameters, and linking low temperature precipitates to device performance. By applying these insights, we have been able to strategically develop and implement mitigation strategies for reliable fabrication of high coherence superconducting qubits.

Murthy, A. [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000176776866)↗

DOE OSTI2026

Identifying Decoherence Mechanisms in Superconducting Qubits through Advanced Materials Characterization

Murthy, A. [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000176776866)↗

NASA NTRS2009

NASA Tech Briefs, May 2009

Topics covered include: Valve-"Health"-Monitoring System; Microstrip Antenna for Remote Sensing of Soil Moisture and Sea Surface Salinity; Biomedical Wireless Ambulatory Crew Monitor; Wireless Avionics Packet to Support Fault Tolerance for Flight Applications; Aerobot Autonomy Architecture; Submillimeter Confocal Imaging Active Module; Traveling-Wave Maser for 32 GHz; System Synchronizes Recordings from Separated Video Cameras; Piecewise-Planar Parabolic Reflectarray Antenna; Reducing Interference in ATC Voice Communication; EOS MLS Level 1B Data Processing, Version 2.2; Auto-Generated Semantic Processing Services; Geospatial Authentication; Maneuver Automation Software; Event Driven Messaging with Role-Based Subscriptions; Estimating Relative Positions of Outer-Space Structures; Fabricating PFPE Membranes for Capillary Electrophoresis; Linear Actuator Has Long Stroke and High Resolution; Installing a Test Tap on a Metal Battery Case; Fabricating PFPE Membranes for Microfluidic Valves and Pumps; Room-Temperature-Cured Copolymers for Lithium Battery Gel Electrolytes; Catalysts for Efficient Production of Carbon Nanotubes; Amorphous Silk Fibroin Membranes for Separation of CO2; "Zero-Mass" Noninvasive Pressure Transducers; Radial-Electric-Field Piezoelectric Diaphragm Pumps; Ejector-Enhanced, Pulsed, Pressure-Gain Combustor; Suppressing Ghost Diffraction in E-Beam-Written Gratings; Target-Tracking Camera for a Metrology System; Polarimetric Imaging using Two Photoelastic Modulators; Miniature Wide-Angle Lens for Small-Pixel Electronic Camera; Modal Filters for Infrared Interferometry; Mo(3)Sb(7-x)Te(x) for Thermoelectric Power Generation; Two-Dimensional Quantum Model of a Nanotransistor; Scanning Miniature Microscopes without Lenses; Manipulating Neutral Atoms in Chip-Based Magnetic Traps; Expansion Compression Contacts for Thermoelectric Legs; Processing Electromyographic Signals to Recognize Words; Physical Principle for Generation of Randomness; DSN Beowulf Cluster-Based VLBI Correlator; Hybrid NN/SVM Computational System for Optimizing Designs; Criteria for Modeling in LES of Multicomponent Fuel Flow; Computerized Machine for Cutting Space Shuttle Thermal Tiles; Orbiting Depot and Reusable Lander for Lunar Transportation; FPGA-Based Networked Phasemeter for a Heterodyne Interferometer; Aquarius Digital Processing Unit; Three-Dimensional Optical Coherence Tomography; Benchtop Antigen Detection Technique using Nanofiltration and Fluorescent Dyes; Isolation of Precursor Cells from Waste Solid Fat Tissue; Identification of Bacteria and Determination of Biological Indicators; Further Development of Scaffolds for Regeneration of Nerves; Chemically Assisted Photocatalytic Oxidation System; Use of Atomic Oxygen for Increased Water Contact Angles of Various Polymers for Biomedical Applications; Crashworthy Seats Would Afford Superior Protection; Open-Access, Low-Magnetic-Field MRI System for Lung Research; Microfluidic Mixing Technology for a Universal Health Sensor; Microfluidic Extraction of Biomarkers using Water as Solvent; Microwell Arrays for Studying Many Individual Cells; Droplet-Based Production of Liposomes; and Identifying and Inactivating Bacterial Spores

Source record↗

DOE OSTI2025

Dual-unitary shadow tomography

We introduce a classical shadow tomography scheme based on dual-unitary brick-wall circuits termed "dual-unitary shadow tomography" (DUST). For this we study operator spreading and Pauli weight dynamics in one-dimensional qubit systems, evolved by random two-local dual-unitary gates arranged in a brick-wall structure, ending with a final measurement layer. We do this by deriving general constraints on the Pauli weight transfer matrix and specializing to the case of dual-unitarity. We first show that dual-unitaries must have a minimal amount of entropy production. Remarkably, we find that operator spreading in these circuits have a rich structure resembling that of relativistic quantum field theories, with massless chiral excitations that can decay or fuse into each other, which we call left- or right-movers. We develop a mean-field description of the Pauli weight in terms of $\rho(x,t)$, which represents the probability of having nontrivial support at site $x$ and depth $t$ starting from a fixed weight distribution. We develop an equation of state for $\rho(x,t)$, and simulate it numerically using Monte Carlo simulations. Lastly, we demonstrate that the fast-thermalizing properties of dual-unitary circuits make them better at predicting large operators than shallow brick-wall Clifford circuits. Our results are robust to finite-size effects due to the chirality of dual-unitary brick-wall circuits.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2024

X-ray linear dichroic tomography of crystallographic and topological defects

Abstract The functionality of materials is determined by their composition 1–4 and microstructure, that is, the distribution and orientation of crystalline grains, grain boundaries and the defects within them 5,6 . Until now, characterization techniques that map the distribution of grains, their orientation and the presence of defects have been limited to surface investigations, to spatial resolutions of a few hundred nanometres or to systems of thickness around 100 nm, thus requiring destructive sample preparation for measurements and preventing the study of system-representative volumes or the investigation of materials under operational conditions 7–15 . Here we present X-ray linear dichroic orientation tomography (XL-DOT), a quantitative, non-invasive technique that allows for an intragranular and intergranular characterization of extended polycrystalline and non-crystalline 16 materials in three dimensions. We present the detailed characterization of a polycrystalline sample of vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 ), a key catalyst in the production of sulfuric acid 17 . We determine the nanoscale composition, microstructure and crystal orientation throughout the polycrystalline sample with 73 nm spatial resolution. We identify and characterize grains, as well as twist, tilt and twin grain boundaries. We further observe the creation and annihilation of topological defects promoted by the presence of volume crystallographic defects. The non-destructive and spectroscopic nature of our method opens the door to operando combined chemical and microstructural investigations 11,18 of functional materials, including energy, mechanical and quantum materials.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

DOE OSTI2026

Is the Matrix Completion of Reduced Density Matrices Unique?

Reduced density matrices are central to describing observables in many-body quantum systems. In electronic structure theory, the two-particle reduced density matrix (2-RDM) suffices to determine the energy and other key properties. Recent work has used matrix completion, leveraging the low-rank structure of RDMs and approximate theoretical models, to reconstruct the 2-RDM from partial data and thus reduce the computational cost. However, matrix completion is, in general, an under-determined problem. Revisiting Rosina’s theorem (Rosina, M. Queen’s Papers on Pure and Applied Mathematics , 1968, No. 11, 369), we here show that the matrix completion is unique under certain conditions, identifying the subset of 2-RDM elements that enables its exact reconstruction from incomplete information. Building on this, we introduce a hybrid quantum–stochastic algorithm that achieves exact matrix completion, demonstrated through applications to the Fermi–Hubbard model.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Exploring the effects of molecular beam epitaxy growth characteristics on the temperature performance of state-of-the-art terahertz quantum cascade lasers

This study conducts a comparative analysis, using non-equilibrium Green’s functions (NEGF), of two state-of-the-art two-well (TW) Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers (THz QCLs) supporting clean 3-level systems. The devices have nearly identical parameters and the NEGF calculations with an abrupt-interface roughness height of 0.12 nm predict a maximum operating temperature (T max ) of ~ 250 K for both devices. However, experimentally, one device reaches a T max of ~ 250 K and the other a T max of only ~ 134 K. Both devices were fabricated and measured under identical conditions in the same laboratory, with high quality processes as verified by reference devices. The main difference between the two devices is that they were grown in different MBE reactors. Our NEGF-based analysis considered all parameters related to MBE growth, including the maximum estimated variation in aluminum content, growth rate, doping density, background doping, and abrupt-interface roughness height. From our NEGF calculations it is evident that the sole parameter to which a drastic drop in T max could be attributed is the abrupt-interface roughness height. We can also learn from the simulations that both devices exhibit high-quality interfaces, with one having an abrupt-interface roughness height of approximately an atomic layer and the other approximately a monolayer. However, these small differences in interface sharpness are the cause of the large performance discrepancy. This underscores the sensitivity of device performance to interface roughness and emphasizes its strategic role in achieving higher operating temperatures for THz QCLs. We suggest Atom Probe Tomography (APT) as a path to analyze and measure the (graded)-interfaces roughness (IFR) parameters for THz QCLs, and subsequently as a design tool for higher performance THz QCLs, as was done for mid-IR QCLs. Our study not only addresses challenges faced by other groups in reproducing the record T max of ~ 250 K and ~ 261 K but also proposes a systematic pathway for further improving the temperature performance of THz QCLs beyond the state-of-the-art.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Measurement of correlated charge noise in superconducting qubits at an underground facility

The charge environment of superconducting qubits may be studied through the introduction of controlled, quantified amounts of ionizing radiation. We measure space- and time-correlated charge jumps on a four-qubit device, operating 107 meters below the Earth’s surface in a low-radiation, cryogenic facility designed for the characterization of low-threshold particle detectors. The rock overburden of this facility reduces the cosmic ray muon flux by over 99% compared to laboratories at sea level. Combined with 4π coverage of a movable lead shield, this facility enables quantifiable control over the flux of ionizing radiation on the qubit device. Long-time-series charge tomography measurements on these weakly charge-sensitive qubits capture discontinuous jumps in the induced charge on the qubit islands, corresponding to the interaction of ionizing radiation with the qubit substrate. The rate of these charge jumps scales with the flux of ionizing radiation on the qubit package, as characterized by a series of independent measurements on another energy-resolving detector operating simultaneously in the same cryostat with the qubits. Using lead shielding, we achieve a minimum charge jump rate of $0.19^{+0.04}_{-0.03}$ mHz, almost an order of magnitude lower than that measured in surface tests, but a factor of roughly seven higher than expected based on reduction of ambient gammas alone. We operate four qubits for over 22 consecutive hours with zero correlated charge jumps at length scales above three millimeters.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗