We propose a feasible experimental test of a 1D version of the Fermi problem using superconducting qubits. We give an explicit nonperturbative proof of strict causality in this model, showing that the probability of excitation of a two-level artificial atom with a dipolar coupling to a quantum field is completely independent of the other qubit until signals from it may arrive. We explain why this is in perfect agreement with the existence of nonlocal correlations and previous results which were used to claim apparent causality problems for Fermi's two-atom system.
We propose a feasible experimental test of a 1D version of the Fermi problem using superconducting qubits. We give an explicit nonperturbative proof of strict causality in this model, showing that the probability of excitation of a two-level artificial atom with a dipolar coupling to a quantum field is completely independent of the other qubit until signals from it may arrive. We explain why this is in perfect agreement with the existence of nonlocal correlations and previous results which were used to claim apparent causality problems for Fermi's two-atom system.
Superconducting quantum devices have drawn the attention of physicists greatly in recent years, not only because they are one of the most favorable candidates for developing a solid state quantum computer, but also because they can be employed as test systems for understanding quantum mechanics at nearly macro scale. Superconducting quantum devices can be divided into two groups: the superconducting resonators (linear devices), which have equally spaced discrete energy levels, and the artificial atoms (non-linear devices) consisting of Josephson junctions which have unequally spaced discrete energy levels. By combining these two kinds of devices together, a solid state counterpart of optical cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) known as circuit QED emerges. Experiments of cavity QED and quantum optics can be reproduced in either circuit QED systems or in bare superconducting artificial atoms. As an example, we have observed the Autler-Townes effect in a three-level artificial atom called phase qutrit. \nMore than one decade has passed since the first experimental demonstration of superconducting two-level artificial atom (qubit). However, to build a practical quantum computer with thousands of superconducting qubits there is still a long way to go (we are at the stage of three qubits now). One of the main obstacles preventing us from scaling up a superconducting quantum computer, as well as some other kinds of quantum computers, has been decoherence, which is believed to be dominated by the low frequency noise due to the two-level system (TLS) fluctuators located inside the Josephson junction barrier. We have experimentally simulated the dynamics of a qubit longitudinally coupled to a randomly fluctuating TLS. A phenomenon known as motional averaging has been observed. \nIn this thesis, theoretical models for decoherence in both resonator and artificial atoms have been established and used for explaining phenomena observed in the experiments performed in our laboratory. The phenomenon of decoherence in coupled bipartite systems has been also studied, and besides the already known entanglement sudden death phenomenon, stable entanglement (robust under decoherence) generated from an arbitrary initial state has been found in these systems.
The Fermi two-atom problem illustrates an apparent causality violation in quantum field theory that has to do with the nature of the built-in correlations in the vacuum. It has been a constant subject of theoretical debate and discussion in the last few decades. Nevertheless, although the issues at hand could in principle be tested experimentally, the smallness of such apparent violations of causality in quantum electrodynamics have prevented the observation of the predicted effect. In this paper, we show that the problem can be simulated within the framework of discrete systems that can be manifested, for instance, by trapped atoms in optical lattices or trapped ions. Unlike the original continuum case, the causal structure is no longer sharp. Nevertheless, as we show, it is possible to distinguish between ‘trivial’ effects due to ‘direct’ causality violations and the effects associated with Fermi's problem, even in such discrete settings. The ability to control externally the strength of the atom–field interactions enables us also to study both the original Fermi problem with ‘bare atoms’ and correction in the scenario that involves ‘dressed’ atoms. Finally, we show that, in principle, the Fermi effect can be detected using trapped ions.
In this work we revisit the famous Fermi two-atom problem, which concerns how relativistic causality impacts atomic transition probabilities, using the tools from relativistic quantum information and algebraic quantum field theory. The problem has sparked different analyses from many directions and angles since the proposed solution by Buchholz and Yngvason [Phys. Rev. Lett. 73, 613 (1994)]. Some of these analyses employ various approximations, heuristics, and perturbative methods, which tends to render some of the otherwise useful insights somewhat obscured. It is also noted that they are all studied in flat spacetime. We show that current tools in relativistic quantum information, combined with an algebraic approach to quantum field theory, are now powerful enough to provide fuller and cleaner analysis of the Fermi two-atom problem for arbitrary curved spacetimes in a completely nonperturbative manner. Our result gives the original solution of Buchholz and Yngvason a very operational reinterpretation in terms of qubits interacting with a quantum field and allows for various natural generalizations and inclusion of detector-based local measurement for the quantum field [Phys. Rev. D 105, 065003 (2022)].
A revolution is underway in the construction of ‘artificial atoms’ out of superconducting electrical circuits. ‘Circuit QED’ permits strong-coupling non-linear optics at the single-photon level and gives an architecture for novel quantum information processing. The dispersive coupling between a qubit and a microwave cavity can be orders of magnitude larger than the line widths of both qubit and cavity. This yields a new ‘quantum toolbox’ which permits arbitrary control of the entangled quantum state of the system. For example one can flip the state of the qubit conditioned on there being exactly n photons in the cavity or one can displace the cavity oscillation amplitude conditioned on the state of the qubit. Using these tools it is now possible to create large ‘Schrödinger cat’ states containing more than 100 photons. An introduction to circuit QED and a review of recent experimental results will be presented.
This thesis focuses on two problems in circuit quantum electrodynamics. We first investigate theoretically the coupling of a resonator to a continuous distribution of inhomogeneously broadened emitters. Studying this formalism is strongly motivated by recent proposals to use collections of emitters as quantum memories for individual excitations. Such systems benefit from the collective enhancement of the interaction strength, while keeping the relaxation properties of a single emitter. We discuss the influence of the emitters inhomogeneous broadening on the existence and on the coherence properties of the polaritonic peaks. We find that their coherence depends crucially on the shape of the distribution and not only on its width. Taking into account the inhomogeneous broadening allows to simulate with a great accuracy a number of pioneer experimental results on a ensemble of NV centers. The modeling is shown to be a powerful tool to obtain the properties of the spin ensembles coupled to a resonator. We also suggest an original Josephson qubit readout method based on a dc-SQUID with high loop inductance. This system supports a diamond-shape artificial atom where we define logical and ancilla qubits coupled through a cross-Kerr like term. Depending on the logical qubit state, the ancilla is resonantly or dispersively coupled to the resonator, leading to a large contrast in the transmitted microwave signal amplitude. Simulations show that this original method can be faster and have higher fidelity than methods currently used in circuit QED.
In order to check finite propagation speed Fermi, in 1932, had considered two atoms A and B separated by some distance R. At time t=0, A is in an excited state, B in its ground state, and no photons are present. Fermi's idea was to calculate the excitation probability of B. In a model-independent way and with minimal assumptions - Hilbert space and positive energy only - it is proved, not just for atoms but for any systems A and B, that the excitation probability of B is nonzero immediately after t=0. Possible ways out to avoid a contradiction to finite propagation speed are discussed. The notions of strong and weak Einstein causality are introduced.