The hybrid approach to quantum computation simultaneously utilizes both discrete and continuous variables, which offers the advantage of higher density encoding and processing powers for the same physical resources. Trapped ions, with discrete internal states and motional modes that can be described by continuous variables in an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, offer a natural platform for this approach. A nonlinear gate for universal quantum computing can be implemented with the conditional beam splitter Hamiltonian |e⟩⟨e|(a[over ^]^{†}b[over ^]+a[over ^]b[over ^]^{†}) that swaps the quantum states of two motional modes, depending on the ion's internal state. We realize such a gate and demonstrate its applications for quantum state overlap measurements, single-shot parity measurement, and generation of NOON states.
The hybrid approach to quantum computation simultaneously utilizes both discrete and continuous variables, which offers the advantage of higher density encoding and processing powers for the same physical resources. Trapped ions, with discrete internal states and motional modes that can be described by continuous variables in an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, offer a natural platform for this approach. A nonlinear gate for universal quantum computing can be implemented with the conditional beam splitter Hamiltonian |e⟩⟨e|(a[over ^]^{†}b[over ^]+a[over ^]b[over ^]^{†}) that swaps the quantum states of two motional modes, depending on the ion's internal state. We realize such a gate and demonstrate its applications for quantum state overlap measurements, single-shot parity measurement, and generation of NOON states.
The usually employed methods of using spin states of atomic-like systems for quantum information encoding [1,2] suffer from scalability issues. For example, it becomes very challenging to control a large number of trapped atomic ions each representing a physical qubit. The alternative approach would be to exploit the large Hilbert space provided by a near-harmonic trapping potential and encode the information in the oscillator states [3,4]. We use sideband-resolved addressing of motional states in a single trapped171Yb+ion to demonstrate a conditional beam splitter gate. The conditional beam splitter (CBS) Hamiltonian |e〉〈e|(a†b + ab†) swaps the quantum states of two motional modes of a trapped ion, conditioned on the ion's internal state. It thus can be viewed as a SWAP gate and we uilize it to demonstrate SWAP tests, implement single shot parity measurements, and generate maximally entangled NOON states of motion (see Figure 1).
We introduce a framework for simulating hybrid oscillator-qubit quantum processors on qubit-only systems through position encoding. By encoding continuous-variable position and momentum wave functions into qubit amplitudes, our method efficiently simulates all Gaussian and conditional Gaussian operations -- encompassing the phase-space instruction set (beam splitter, single-qubit rotation, conditional displacement) and extending to squeezing, conditional squeezing, conditional rotation, and conditional beam splitter -- using O(log2(Γ+log(1/ε))) qubit gates per hybrid gate, where Γ is the Fock-level bound and ε is the target precision. This polylogarithmic per-gate complexity represents an exponential improvement over Fock basis encoding approaches, which require exponential quantum or classical resources in the number of qubits per mode. We provide rigorous numerical characterization of quantum Fourier transform errors for Fock-bounded states, enabling precise resource estimation for practical implementations. This work establishes that hybrid oscillator-qubit algorithms can be implemented on qubit processors with polynomial overhead, providing new insights into the computational power trade-offs between discrete-variable and hybrid continuous-discrete-variable quantum computing.
Using discrete and continuous variable subsystems, hybrid approaches to quantum information could enable more quantum computational power for the same physical resources. Here, we propose a hybrid scheme that can be used to generate the necessary Gaussian and non-Gaussian operations for universal continuous variable quantum computing in trapped ions. This scheme utilizes two linear spin-motion interactions to generate a broad set of nonlinear effective spin-motion interactions including one- and two-mode squeezing, beam splitter, and trisqueezing operations in trapped ion systems. We discuss possible experimental implementations using laser-based and laser-free approaches.
Today, the potential power of quantum information processing comes as no surprise to physicist or science-fiction writer alike. However, the grand promises of this field remain unrealized, despite significant strides forward, due to the inherent difficulties of manipulating quantum systems. Simply put, it turns out that it is incredibly difficult to interact, in a controllable way, with the quantum realm when we seem to live our day to day lives in a classical world. In an effort to solve this challenge, people are exploring a variety of different physical platforms, each with their strengths and weaknesses, in hopes of developing new experimental methods that one day might allow us to control a quantum system. One path forward rests in combining different quantum systems in novel ways to exploit the benefits of different systems while circumventing their respective weaknesses. In particular, quantum systems come in two different flavours: either discrete-variable systems or continuous-variable ones. The field of hybrid quantum information seeks to combine these systems, in clever ways, to help overcome the challenges blocking the path between what is theoretically possible and what is achievable in a laboratory. In this thesis we explore four topics in the context of hybrid methods in quantum information, in an effort to contribute to the resolution of existing challenges and to stimulate new avenues of research. First, we explore the manipulation of a continuous-variable quantum system consisting of phonons in a linear chain of trapped ions where we use the discretized internal levels to mediate interactions. Using our proposed interaction we are able to implement, for example, the acoustic equivalent of a beam splitter with modest experimental resources. Next we propose an experimentally feasible implementation of the cubic phase gate, a primitive non-Gaussian gate required for universal continuous-variable quantum computation, based off sequential photon subtraction. We then discuss the notion of embedding a finite dimensional state into a continuous-variable system, and propose a method of performing quantum computations on encrypted continuous-variable states. This protocol allows for a client, of limited quantum ability, to outsource a computation while hiding their information. Next, we discuss the possibility of performing universal quantum computation on discrete-variable logical states encoded in mixed continuous-variable quantum states. Finally, we present an account of open problems related to our results, and possible future avenues of research.
The exponential-SWAP (eSWAP) gate generates a coherent superposition of identity and SWAP operations, with continuously tunable amplitudes. We experimentally implement this gate between two bosonic motional modes of trapped ions using spin-independent and spin-dependent beam splitter interactions. Measurements of selected slices of the joint characteristic function for distinct input states test the gate and demonstrate continuous control of the identity-SWAP superposition. This implementation provides a tunable interaction for hybrid qubit-bosonic quantum information processing.
Abstract The stable operation of quantum computers will rely on error correction, in which single quantum bits of information are stored redundantly in the Hilbert space of a larger system. Such encoded qubits are commonly based on arrays of many physical qubits, but can also be realized using a single higher-dimensional quantum system, such as a harmonic oscillator1–3. In such a system, a powerful encoding has been devised based on periodically spaced superpositions of position eigenstates4–6. Various proposals have been made for realizing approximations to such states, but these have thus far remained out of reach7–11. Here we demonstrate such an encoded qubit using a superposition of displaced squeezed states of the harmonic motion of a single trapped 40Ca+ ion, controlling and measuring the mechanical oscillator through coupling to an ancillary internal-state qubit12. We prepare and reconstruct logical states with an average squared fidelity of 87.3 ± 0.7 per cent. Also, we demonstrate a universal logical single-qubit gate set, which we analyse using process tomography. For Pauli gates we reach process fidelities of about 97 per cent, whereas for continuous rotations we use gate teleportation and achieve fidelities of approximately 89 per cent. This control method opens a route for exploring continuous variable error correction as well as hybrid quantum information schemes using both discrete and continuous variables13. The code states also have direct applications in quantum sensing, allowing simultaneous measurement of small displacements in both position and momentum14, 15.