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At least 1,765 records · Page 98

IBM Open Science Price - SWAP Gate Challenge

On November 30, 2020, IBM announced an open science price competition aimed at improving the fidelity of a SWAP gate on their 7 qubit Quantum system named ”Casablanca”. The details of the SWAP gate problem was outlined in a Jupyter notebook, which utilizes the IBM developed open source package Qiskit. The participants were allowed to work in teams with up to five people and restricted to only use open source software in solving the problem. Their results were due on April 16, 2021. Our approach to solving the SWAP gate challenge is based on the quantum optimal control techniques implemented in our open source packages Juqbox.jl and Quandary. The results from the optimal control approach is only as good as the accuracy in the description of the quantum system dynamics, characterized by a Hamiltonian model that was provided by IBM. Based on the calibrated control pulses IBM provide for the standard gate set, we developed a reverse engineering approach to calibrate our computational model. Techniques were developed to translate between Qiskit’s pulse representation and the B-spline formulation used in Juqbox and Quandary. The fidelity of the optimized pulse sequences were estimated using Qiskit’s randomized bench marking techniques.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

SU(n) and Quantum SU(n) Symmetries in Physical Systems [Slides]

Presence of SU(n) or other Lie group symmetry in a physical system is its powerful, usually underutilized property. In many cases it allows for finding analytical solutions to nonlinear differential equations describing this system. Power of the method is presented on diversified examples from mathematical physics: Lie-group symmetries in finding solutions of generalized, multidimensional theory of gravity; analytical Dirac–equation solutions for description of conducting polymers; stability of qubit states in quantum computers; spatial defects in condensed matter; reconstruction of 3D object from its 2D tomographic image; significant improvement of numerical solutions stability for Euler equations. The next question after obtaining such Lie group symmetric solution is: does a generalized solution with appropriate quantum group symmetry exists for the given physical system, and if yes what is the physical meaning of the deformation parameter q introduced by such solution. In many cases it can be identified. Any SU(n) solution is by its nature singular, assuming a perfect symmetry of the physical system discussed. Such solution gives a powerful insight to theoretical physics, yet the assumption may be too demanding for experimental applications. Deformation parameter q from a quantum group symmetry allows for a continuum of solutions, more applicable to experiments.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Interplay of quantum information, thermodynamics, and gravity in the early Universe

Our interdisciplinary proposal brought together a unique team of researchers to tackle foundational questions on the quantum origins of the Universe and out-of-equilibrium quantum systems in general. The specific goals of our proposal were as follows. First, to develop a self-consistent quantum mechanical framework for the early Universe using an open system approach, with focus on non-Markovian vs. Markovian evolution of system modes and signatures in late-time observables. Second, to explore the use of quantum resource theory and thermodynamics techniques to understand the initial conditions of the Universe. Third, to in vestigate open quantum system dynamics in strongly-coupled qubit and oscillator systems, with focus on non-Markovian evolution, entanglement dynamics, and quantum backaction, including experimental real izations and implications for gravity. And fourth, to establish thermodynamics for chaotic quantum systems, with emphasis on dynamics of information scrambling and implications for black hole solutions in AdS/CFT and quantum gravity.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Engineering topologically protected superconducting states

Efforts to develop systems which support non-Abelian excitations are motivated by both scientific curiosity and a practical desire to built a fault tolerant quantum computer to solve problems fundamentally intractable for classical computations. Experimentally, signatures of simplest non-Abelian excitations have been seen in spectroscopic measurements, yet current experiments fall shot of demonstrating non-Abelian exchange statistics. With DOE support we explore several systems where non-Abelian excitations are expected to appear, with special attention paid to the ability to demonstrate braiding. In nanowire semiconductor/superconductor hybrid system we are developing devices where position of Majorana particles, the simplest non-Abelian excitations, can be varied by magnetic field. The system will allow braiding of Majorana fermions and study non-Abelian statistics. In another system we focus on the development of a new platform where higher order non-Abelian excitations - parafermions - can be realized. Recently we demonstrated formation of heliacal channels in the fractional quantum Hall regime, precursors of topological superconductors that support parafermion excitations. Investigation of these channels and induced superconductivity will be an important part of the proposed research. Finally, investigation of induced superconductivity in topological insulators and discovery of highly unharmonic current-phase relation in Josephson junctions is the basis for the proposed realization of a topologically protected qubits with abelian anions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Microfabricated Devices and Ion Trapping Capabilities

Next generation ion traps will likely need to support tens if not hundreds of ions in order to achieve several logical qubits. As we scale to those sizes, the same problems we face now – rf dissipation, control I/O, and optical access – will only grow and become more complicated. While many of these challenges can potentially be solved with technology integration, independently researching the feasibility of that integration and other solutions may help reduce the time and risk in scaling up to larger traps, by testing on smaller less complex devices. We should also consider other fabrication techniques that may help scale to larger devices, such as: through-substrate-vias (TSVs), different metal coatings, exotic rf routing, on chip laser sources, or even a secondary macroscopic trap to reload ions from. To have these technologies ready for full scale integration when we need them, ion traps with some of these capabilities need to be produced now. Developing the rigorous fabrication methods for producing reliable traps takes time and experimentation. We propose developing larger ion traps and reliable integrated technology in conjunction to make both available faster.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Compositional Methods for Schrödinger's Equation with Application to Optimal Control

The evolution of the state of a quantum computer is governed by Schrödinger's equation. We introduce compositional methods, a way to increase the order of symmetric methods by replacing one timestep by multiple timesteps. We perform several numerical experiments, including a simulation of a two qubit CNOT gate, using compositional variants of Störmer-Verlet and the implicit midpoint rule. We observe that the compositional methods demonstrate greater computational efficiency than the base methods when the desired error tolerance is less than ~ 10 -4 to 10 -5 . We discuss the trade-offs of using each compositional method, as well as differences between using Störmer-Verlet or the implicit midpoint rule as the base integrator of the compositional methods.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Preparing Equal Superpositions of n Computational-Basis States

This document presents, tutorial-style, a sequence of quantum circuits for preparing 3-qubit quantum states that are superpositions of 2, 3, . . . , 8 computational-basis states. Each circuit is accompanied by a timeline illustration of the evolution of the state from |000> to the target state.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Ab Initio Quantum Information Processor Design with Single-Molecule Magnets: A Multiscale Modeling Approach (Final Report)

This final report summarizes the team's efforts to develop a multiscale modeling approach that ranges from different levels of ab-initio quantum chemistry simulations to effective models and time-dependent external control, and to use this approach to systematically design quantum information processors with TbPc 2 single-molecule magnets. The impact of the work is two-fold: (i) New quantum chemistry simulation techniques capable of treating complex, multiscale problems such as the TbPc 2 molecule were developed, and (ii) the prospects for building quantum processors based on single-molecule magnets coupled by superconducting transmission line resonators were analyzed. The outcomes of this project revealed that current technology is at the cusp of being able to realize the main components of such a processor, and they highlighted the need to achieve stronger molecule-resonator interactions to enhance the viability of this approach. The multiscale modeling techniques developed during this project are general and transferable to other molecules and will thus have a broad impact on the field of quantum chemistry. Methods for controlling and simulating many coupled qubits developed here will also impact other quantum information technologies.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Combined Coherent Manipulation and Single-Shot Measurement of an Electron Spin in a Quantum Dot (Final Technical Report)

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are promising candidates to act as single-photon sources and/or quantum bits in future optical quantum information applications. Their excellent optical properties such as high brightness, single-photon purity, and narrow linewidth have potential utility in many areas. One challenge is to control the energy levels of the QD without using a magnetic field. The AC Stark effect offers the opportunity to do this. We have demonstrated record-large AC Stark shifts of the energy states of a single charged QD. We showed that the shifts can be applied in a spin-selective manner by controlling the polarization of the laser producing the AC Stark effect. In order to characterize the effect, we developed a novel spectral filtering scheme to discriminate the high-power AC Stark laser from the QD fluorescence. We also developed a compact, low-cost, homemade polarimeter to help control the polarization of the AC Stark laser, which enabled the spin selectivity of the AC Stark effect. With the practical capabilities thus developed, we learned that the spin-selective AC Stark effect causes electron spin pumping, which in turn causes nuclear spin pumping via the hyperfine interaction. The nuclear spin pumping causes a mean field Zeeman interaction between the nuclear spin ensemble and the electron trapped in the QD, resulting in the so-called Overhauser shift. The magnitude of the Overhauser shift and the measured linewidth of the QD’s optical transitions enabled characterization of the mean nuclear spin polarization and fluctuations. The potentially rapid (ns-scale) control of the QD energy levels and nuclear spin polarization will enable measurements of electron and nuclear spin polarization in the absence of any real magnetic field, which is a completely unique capability. The ability to rapidly apply a spin-selective AC Stark effect in the presence of a weak real magnetic field will allow control of the polarization selection rules of the transitions, enabling all single-qubit operations on the electron spin, i.e., initialization, coherent manipulation, and quantum non-demolition measurement.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

High-efficiency microwave-optical quantum transduction based on a long-coherence-time cavity electro-optic system

We propose a 3D quantum transduction architecture based on a long-coherence-time superconducting cavity coupled to an electro-optic resonator. The 3D hybrid system enables high-efficiency conversion between microwave and optical quantum signals, with potential applications in optical readout of qubits, high-fidelity entanglement generation and high-precision sensing.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Exploring strongly correlated quantum spin systems with quantum computers

At inception, quantum annealing leveraged quantum mechanics for classical optimization tasks. However, as machine coherence increases, the realization of quantum spin systems has emerged as an even more fruitful application of this computational model. Alternatives to the standard gate model deserve exploration, to achieve useful quantum advantage via analog quantum computing. The recent demonstration of so-called coherent quantum annealing with 1,000s of qubits, further expands the potential for this hardware to explore quantum system dynamics where the effects of quantum fluctuations can be carefully controlled and observed directly. Implementing existing celebrated spin models—or in fact new and dedicated ones—into quantum annealers will lead to observation and detection of quantum phenomena not yet observed, or not visualized directly, in experimental physics laboratories. Rather than computing or simulating quantum systems, these quantum computers allow one to simply build quantum systems, and experiment on them in an uniquely controlled way, with characterization down to the constitutive degree of freedom. This provides an unprecedented opportunity for understanding the physics of quantum spin systems. Keywords: Theoretical physics currently abounds of interesting theoretical spin models to explore frustration, strongly correlated spins, spin liquids, fractionalized excitations, and topological matter. However enticing, such models are generally only weak proxies for the properties of actual materials. In quantum annealers these models could be realized and experimented upon. Moreover, many more realistic models of such materials could be realized in quantum annealers. Employed in this way, quantum annealers provide an extraordinary versatile platform to explore quantum effects that are hard to find, detect, and characterize in natural materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Fundamental Superconductivity of Nb films for Quantum Computing Application

Niobium is a widely accepted material for quantum computing device as well as superconducting radio frequency (SRF) technology. Superconducting niobium is a marginal type II superconductor which has a very narrow gap (~20-30 mT) of the mixed state at 2K, even showing the intermediate state (IMS) at the early stage of magnetic vortex penetration. Tremendous progress has been made in understanding the impact of the Nb surface and bulk superconductivities on SRF resonator performance. However, the effect of thin superconducting Nb films for quantum computing applications requires further examination. In this study, we explore the fundamental superconducting properties of various thin Nb films and compare them with respect to the energy relaxation time, T1, measured from superconducting qubit fabricated with these films. The Nb films are fabricated both with or without a surface protective layer that prevents the formation of lossy Nb2O5. Electromagnetic properties are characterized by means of bulk magnetization, electromagnetic transport, and dynamics of surface superconductivity. In addition, analytical electron microscopy is implemented to further connect the superconducting properties to microstructure.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Imaging the electronic and magnetic structure of topological-superconductor proximity systems (Final Report)

The primary goals of the projects supported by this grant involved developing methods to detect and control electronic states that can aid in the construction of quantum-information devices, including quantum computers. Two types of materials are needed to create these electronic states: superconductors and topological insulators. The interplay of the quantum mechanics of these materials can give rise to elusive states known as Majorana fermions. Majorana Fermions have incredible potential for quantum technology; they can in principle encode quantum information non-locally, and can thus form the basis of especially robust qubits – the basic building blocks of quantum computers. A centerpiece goal of this work was to develop a Majorana detection tool called a Scanning Majorana Microscope. This tool was successfully developed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Advances in SRF cavity architectures for quantum computing

Superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities offer an excellent platform for storing and processing quantum information due to their exceptionally long lifetimes and large accessible Hilbert spaces. A common strategy to manipulate the quantum states is to use a nonlinear element like a transmon. Nevertheless, constructing a 3D SRF architecture with sustained cavity lifetimes presents several challenges. In this talk, we present our successful integration of transmons with single-cell Nb SRF cavities, enabling the preparation of several non-classical states. Preliminary results reveal the potential of this platform to build a qudit-based quantum computer, departing from traditional qubit-based architectures. We discuss strategies to enhance coherence times, develop high-fidelity gate schemes, and expand the system for constructing a multi-qudit quantum processor. Furthermore, we explore how this architecture can bolster dark matter detection efficiency through multi-photon quantum state preparation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Developing and Running Quantum Algorithms for Chemistry and Materials (QAChMat) (Final Technical Report)

The goal of the project is to design, develop, and execute new computational methods on practical quantum computing platforms to simulate hard problems in chemical and materials sciences. We exploited the two leading quantum computing platforms of trapped atomic ion and superconducting qubits, established in laboratories at Duke University and the University of Maryland, to discover new simulation and computational methods for the study of quantum chemistry and materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Kinetic Inductance Phonon-Mediated Detectors for Dark Matter: R&D at NEXUS

Superconducting thin films have long been used as phonon sensors, particularly in the field of dark matter (DM) direct detection, due to the meV-scale Cooper-pair binding energy. A novel class of these detectors based on microwave kinetic inductance detectors, dubbed Kinetic Inductance Phonon-Mediated Detectors (KIPMDs), offers an attractive architecture for microcalorimeters to probe DM down to the fermionic thermal relic mass limit of a few keV. Such a device featuring an aluminum resonator patterned onto a silicon substrate was operated at the NEXUS low-background facility at Fermilab for characterization and evaluation of its efficacy for a dark matter search. With this device we have demonstrated a resolution on the energy absorbed by the superconductor of 2.5 eV, a factor of two better than current state-of-the-art. In this talk, I will present our measurement of the energy resolution and phonon collection efficiency performed by exposing the bare substrate to a pulsed source of 470 nm photons. I will also discuss the path forward to obtaining in these devices the sub-eV resolution required to test the “Freeze-in” class of DM models. Finally, I will review other complementary efforts in our group to develop a superconducting qubit-based low-threshold detector.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Dark Matter and other BSM searches with SRF cavities at SQMS

The Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center, led by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, is one of five research centers funded by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of a national initiative to develop and deploy the world’s most powerful quantum computers and sensors. The SQMS Center uses world-record quality-factor superconducting radio-frequency, or SRF, cavities as ultra-sensitive quantum probes. Cavities combined with superconducting transmon qubits can be the building block of a quantum computer, and they can also be employed for fundamental physics searches. Within the quantum sensing thrust, researchers are developing experiments based on cavities and novel quantum devices to search for particles beyond the Standard Model, dark matter candidates, gravitational waves and fundamental material properties. The seminar will present a brief overview of the center and focus on the physics and sensing work conducted at Fermilab.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Dark Matter and other BSM searches with SRF cavities at SQMS

The Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center, led by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, is one of five research centers funded by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of a national initiative to develop and deploy the world’s most powerful quantum computers and sensors. The SQMS Center uses world-record quality-factor superconducting radio-frequency, or SRF, cavities as ultra-sensitive quantum probes. Cavities combined with superconducting transmon qubits can be the building block of a quantum computer, and they can also be employed for fundamental physics searches. Within the quantum sensing thrust, researchers are developing experiments based on cavities and novel quantum devices to search for particles beyond the Standard Model, dark matter candidates, gravitational waves and fundamental material properties. The seminar will present a brief overview of the center and focus on the physics and sensing work conducted at Fermilab.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗