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arXiv:2207.02938 · npj Quantum Information

Extensive characterization and implementation of a family of three-qubit gates at the coherence limit

Christopher Warren, Jorge Fernández-Pendás, Shahnawaz Ahmed, Tahereh Abad, Andreas Bengtsson, Janka Biznárová, Kamanasish Debnath, Xiu Quan Gu, Christian Križan, Amr Osman, Anita Fadavi Roudsari, Per Delsing, Göran Johansson, Anton Frisk Kockum, Giovanna Tancredi, Jonas Bylander

Published May 4, 2023• 41 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract While all quantum algorithms can be expressed in terms of single-qubit and two-qubit gates, more expressive gate sets can help reduce the algorithmic depth. This is important in the presence of gate errors, especially those due to decoherence. Using superconducting qubits, we have implemented a three-qubit gate by simultaneously applying two-qubit operations, thereby realizing a three-body interaction. This method straightforwardly extends to other quantum hardware architectures, requires only a firmware upgrade to implement, and is faster than its constituent two-qubit gates. The three-qubit gate represents an entire family of operations, creating flexibility in the quantum-circuit compilation. We demonstrate a process fidelity of 97.90%, which is near the coherence limit of our device. We then generate two classes of entangled states, the Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger and Dicke states, by applying the new gate only once; in comparison, decompositions into the standard gate set would have a two-qubit gate depth of two and three, respectively. Finally, we combine characterization methods and analyze the experimental and statistical errors in the fidelity of the gates and of the target states.

DOI
10.1038/s41534-023-00711-x

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Abstract While all quantum algorithms can be expressed in terms of single-qubit and two-qubit gates, more expressive gate sets can help reduce the algorithmic depth. This is important in the presence of gate errors, especially those due to decoherence. Using superconducting qubits, we have implemented a three-qubit gate by simultaneously applying two-qubit operations, thereby realizing a three-body interaction. This method straightforwardly extends to other quantum hardware architectures, requires only a firmware upgrade to implement, and is faster than its constituent two-qubit gates. The three-qubit gate represents an entire family of operations, creating flexibility in the quantum-circuit compilation. We demonstrate a process fidelity of 97.90%, which is near the coherence limit of our device. We then generate two classes of entangled states, the Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger and Dicke states, by applying the new gate only once; in comparison, decompositions into the standard gate set would have a two-qubit gate depth of two and three, respectively. Finally, we combine characterization methods and analyze the experimental and statistical errors in the fidelity of the gates and of the target states.
The set of quantum logic gates that can be easily implemented is fundamental to the performance of quantum computers, as it governs the accuracy of basic quantum operations and dictates the complexity of implementing quantum algorithms. Traditional approaches to extending gate sets often require operating devices outside the ideal parameter regimes used to realize qubits, leading to increased control complexity while offering only a limited set of gates. Here we experimentally demonstrate a unified and versatile gate scheme capable of generating arbitrary two-qubit gates using only an exchange interaction and qubit driving on a superconducting quantum processor. We achieve high fidelities averaging 99.38% across a wide range of commonly used two-qubit unitaries, enabling precise multipartite entangled state preparation. Furthermore, we successfully produce a B gate, which efficiently synthesizes the entire family of two-qubit gates. Our results establish that fully exploiting the capabilities of the exchange interaction can yield a comprehensive and highly accurate gate set. With maximum expressivity, optimal gate time, demonstrated high fidelity and easy adaption to other quantum platforms, our unified control scheme offers the prospect of improved performance in quantum hardware and algorithm development. The efficiency of a quantum computer depends on which basic operations it can implement. Now a scheme that can implement any two-qubit logic gate has been demonstrated on a superconducting architecture.
Quantum algorithms on near-term quantum processors are typically executed using shallow quantum circuits composed of one- and two-qubit gates. However, as circuit depth and gate number increase, gate imperfections and qubit decoherence begin to dominate, limiting algorithmic complexity. An alternative approach is to explore gates involving more than two qubits. In previous work (X. Wu et al., Physical Review X 14, 041030 (2024)), we demonstrated a new superconducting qubit architecture with user-selectable two-qubit interactions via a reconfigurable router, used to connect pairs of qubits. Here, we leverage this novel architecture to realize programmable and efficient multi-qubit operations involving more than two qubits, resulting in faster preparation of multi-qubit entangled states with good fidelities. We also successfully apply model-free reinforcement learning to perform multi-qubit gates, including training a two-qubit controlled-Z gate as well as three-qubit controlled-SWAP and controlled-controlled-phase (Fredkin and Toffoli) gates. Higher nnnth-order gates may also be feasible, using our high-connectivity router design. This could provide a more efficient and higher-fidelity implementation of complex quantum algorithms and a more practical approach to quantum computation.
Nonpairwise multibody interactions have recently attracted much attention due to their promising applications in the realm of quantum information science and technology. In this work, we propose a method to synthesize a nonpairwise three-body interaction of superconducting qubits using a coupler qubit dispersively coupled to two spatially separated qubits and a microwave pulse. This interaction describes physical processes of an excitation from the coupler qubit to two spatially separated qubits and the reverse process. We show that the interaction can be utilized to deterministically generate three-body Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) entangled states, transfer the state of the coupler qubit into a two-qubit entangled state, and construct three-qubit controlled-controlled-phase and Toffoli gates. Our proposal only requires a coupler qubit and a single-step operation; thus, the system architecture and method are quite simple. As examples, we numerically simulate the dynamics of the system, and the numerical results demonstrate that high-fidelity preparation of the proposed three-body GHZ entangled state and quantum gates is feasible with current superconducting circuit technology. This approach is general and applicable to a wide range of quantum systems.
The native gate set is fundamental to the performance of quantum devices, as it governs the accuracy of basic quantum operations and dictates the complexity of implementing quantum algorithms. Traditional approaches to extending gate sets often require accessing multiple transitions within an extended Hilbert space, leading to increased control complexity while offering only a limited set of gates. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a unified and highly versatile gate scheme capable of natively generating arbitrary two-qubit gates using only exchange interaction and qubit driving on a superconducting quantum processor, achieving maximum expressivity. Using a state-of-the-art transmon-coupler-transmon architecture, we achieve high fidelities averaging 99.37±0.07%99.37 \pm 0.07\%99.37±0.07% across a wide range of commonly used two-qubit unitaries. This outstanding performance, combined with reduced complexity, enables precise multipartite entangled state preparation, as demonstrated. To further enhance its applicability, we also show the high-fidelity realization of the unique B gate, which efficiently synthesizes the entire family of two-qubit gates. Our results highlight that fully exploiting the capabilities of a single interaction can yield a comprehensive and highly accurate gate set. With maximum expressivity, gate-time optimality, demonstrated high fidelity, and easy adaptability to other quantum platforms, our unified control scheme paves the way for optimal performance in quantum devices, offering exciting prospects for advancing quantum hardware and algorithm development.
Abstract We present an experimental characterization of the three-qubit controlled-controlled-Z (CCZ) gate on IBM Quantum’s 127-qubit superconducting quantum computers, revealing state-backend-dependent performance variations. Using quantum state tomography (QST), we evaluate the gate’s output-state fidelity when applied to three algorithmically significant input states—the W state, the Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger (GHZ) state, and the uniform superposition state. Each state probes distinct aspects of the reconstructed state fidelity, the GHZ state tests coherence in maximally entangled systems, the W state reveals sensitivity to asymmetric errors, and the uniform superposition assesses basis-state-independent behavior. Experiments were conducted across three computational environments, noise-free simulation, noisy simulation, and actual hardware executions on three IBM Quantum computers, ibm_osaka , ibm_brisbane , and ibm_sherbrooke . State fidelities for the qasm_simulator remained above 99.2% for all input states. Noisy simulations yielded fidelities around 80–82%, while hardware results showed more significant degradation: 67.6% (GHZ), 59.0% (uniform superposition), and 50.3% (W)—highlighting the combined importance of state selection and hardware characteristics for reliable quantum computation. These results quantify the current performance gap between simulated and physical implementations of multi-qubit gates and provide a benchmark for error profiles relevant to near-term quantum algorithms
Abstract A single-shot entangling gate plays a crucial role in quantum information processing due to its high fidelity. This operation gate is fast to create a maximally entangled state and forms a universal gate set for quantum computing. Currently, the preparation and demonstration of multi-qubit entanglement are achieved based on sequences of single- and two-qubit operations, yielding lower fidelity and requiring longer execution time. Here, we demonstrate by numerically simulating the use of quantum process tomography to fully characterize the performance of a single-shot three-qubit entangling gate. This gate is used to create a Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger entangled state in Sakhouf et al (2021 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 54 175501), directly generated by three transmon-type superconducting qubits which are mediated by a resonator with the assistance of a microwave field. Comparing ideal and simulated quantum process tomography, we characterize the entangling gate performance by calculating the mean fidelity achieving a high value ≻ 0.93 .