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arXiv:2502.05408 · Physical Review A

Efficient learning and optimizing non-Gaussian correlated noise in digitally controlled qubit systems

Wenzheng Dong, Yuanlong Wang, Muhammad Qasim Khan

Published Jun 3, 2025• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Precise qubit control in the presence of spatiotemporally correlated noise is pivotal for transitioning to fault-tolerant quantum computing. Generically, such noise can also have non-Gaussian statistics, which hampers existing non-Markovian noise spectroscopy protocols. By utilizing frame-based characterization and a control-based symmetry analysis, we show how to achieve higher-order spectral estimation for noise-optimized circuit design. Remarkably, we find that the digitally driven qubit dynamics can be solely determined by the complexity of the applied control rather than the nonperturbative nature of the non-Gaussian environment. This enables us to address certain nonperturbative qubit dynamics more simply. We delineate several complexity bounds for learning such high-complexity noise and demonstrate our single- and two-qubit digital characterization and control using a series of numerical simulations. Our results not only provide insights into the exact solvability of (small-size) open quantum dynamics but also highlight a resource-efficient approach for optimal control and possible error-reduction techniques for current qubit devices.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.111.062605

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Precise qubit control in the presence of spatiotemporally correlated noise is pivotal for transitioning to fault-tolerant quantum computing. Generically, such noise can also have non-Gaussian statistics, which hampers existing non-Markovian noise spectroscopy protocols. By utilizing frame-based characterization and a control-based symmetry analysis, we show how to achieve higher-order spectral estimation for noise-optimized circuit design. Remarkably, we find that the digitally driven qubit dynamics can be solely determined by the complexity of the applied control rather than the nonperturbative nature of the non-Gaussian environment. This enables us to address certain nonperturbative qubit dynamics more simply. We delineate several complexity bounds for learning such high-complexity noise and demonstrate our single- and two-qubit digital characterization and control using a series of numerical simulations. Our results not only provide insights into the exact solvability of (small-size) open quantum dynamics but also highlight a resource-efficient approach for optimal control and possible error-reduction techniques for current qubit devices.
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Noisy quantum processors require precise and coherent quantum control to effectively execute quantum algorithms. Key to achieving precise control is the characterization of a quantum device to elucidate important details of environmentally-induced and systematic error sources. Quantum noise spectroscopy (QNS) is one such protocol used to characterize spatiotemporally correlated noise. QNS strives to provide estimates of noise statistical properties by using the quantum system as a dynamical probe. Despite its success, QNS can be challenging as it requires model selection prior to protocol implementation and suffers from scalability issues as system size grows. Here, we leverage machine learning to overcome model selection and assist in learning complex noise environments. In particular, we utilize physics-informed neural networks based on the “gray box” model to learn the dynamics of a two-qubit system subject to spatiotemporally correlated noise. Using training data sets based on dynamical decoupling, we show that the model is capable of learning the underlying power spectral densities for each qubit and the strength of parasitic qubit-qubit interactions. Furthermore, we show that the model can predict state-dependent behavior for multi-qubit observables. The results of this study further display the potential utility of machine learning to assist in the domain of quantum characterization and control.
Accurate characterization of the noise influencing a quantum system of interest has far-reaching implications across quantum science, ranging from microscopic modeling of decoherence dynamics to noise-optimized quantum control. While the assumption that noise obeys Gaussian statistics is commonly employed, noise is generically non-Gaussian in nature. In particular, the Gaussian approximation breaks down whenever a qubit is strongly coupled to discrete noise sources or has a non-linear response to the environmental degrees of freedom. Thus, in order to both scrutinize the applicability of the Gaussian assumption and capture distinctive non-Gaussian signatures, a tool for characterizing non-Gaussian noise is essential. Here, we experimentally validate a quantum control protocol which, in addition to the spectrum, reconstructs the leading higher-order spectrum of engineered non-Gaussian dephasing noise using a superconducting qubit as a sensor. This first experimental demonstration of non-Gaussian noise spectroscopy represents a major step toward demonstrating a complete spectral estimation toolbox for quantum devices.
We introduce open-loop quantum control protocols for characterizing the spectral properties of non-Gaussian noise, applicable to both classical and quantum dephasing environments. By engineering a multidimensional frequency comb via repetition of suitably designed pulse sequences, the desired high-order spectra may be related to observable properties of the qubit probe. We prove that access to a high time resolution is key to achieving spectral reconstruction over an extended bandwidth, overcoming the limitations of existing schemes. Non-Gaussian spectroscopy is demonstrated for a classical noise model describing quadratic dephasing at an optimal point, as well as a quantum spin-boson model out of equilibrium. In both cases, we obtain spectral reconstructions that accurately predict the qubit dynamics in the non-Gaussian regime.
Fault-tolerant quantum computing requires extremely precise knowledge and control of qubit dynamics during the application of a gate. We develop a data-driven learning protocol for characterizing quantum gates that builds off previous work on learning the Nakajima-Mori-Zwanzig (NMZ) formulation of open system dynamics from time series data, which allows detailed reconstruction of quantum evolution, including non-Markovian dynamics. We demonstrate this learning technique on three different systems: a simulation of a qubit whose dynamics are purely Markovian, a simulation of a driven qubit coupled to stochastic noise produced by an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process, and trapped-ion experimental data of a driven qubit whose noise environment is not characterized ahead of time. Our technique is able to learn the generators of time evolution, or the NMZ operators, in all three cases and can learn the timescale in which the qubit dynamics can no longer be accurately described by a purely Markovian model. Our technique complements existing quantum gate characterization methods such as gate set tomography by explicitly capturing non-Markovianity in the gate generator, thus allowing for more thorough diagnosis of noise sources.
Classical control noise is ubiquitous in qubit devices, making its accurate spectral characterization essential for designing optimized error suppression strategies at the physical level. Here, we focus on multiplicative Gaussian amplitude control noise on a driven qubit sensor and show that sensing protocols using optimally band-limited Slepian modulation offer substantial benefit in realistic scenarios. Special emphasis is given to laying out the theoretical framework necessary for extending nonparametric multitaper spectral estimation to the quantum setting by highlighting key points of contact and differences with respect to the classical formulation. In particular, we introduce and analyze two approaches (adaptive vs single setting) to quantum multitaper estimation, and show how they provide a practical means to both identify fine spectral features not otherwise detectable by existing protocols and to obtain reliable prior estimates for use in subsequent parametric estimation, including high-resolution Bayesian techniques. We quantitatively characterize the performance of both single- and multitaper Slepian estimation protocols by numerically reconstructing representative spectral densities, and demonstrate their advantage over dynamical-decoupling noise spectroscopy approaches in reducing bias from spectral leakage as well as in compensating for aliasing effects while maintaining a desired sampling resolution.