Achieving robust and scalable remote quantum entanglement is one of the fundamental challenges for the development of distributed quantum networks and modular quantum computing systems. In this context, perfect state transfer (PST) and fractional state transfer (FST) have emerged as promising schemes for quantum state transfer and remote entanglement generation using only nearest-neighbor couplings. In this work, we propose a quantum state transfer scheme based on a zig-zag configuration, which introduces a control parameter for PST and FST. We show that this new parameter can suppress the population in the intermediate qubits, thereby reducing losses and enhancing state transfer. In certain limiting cases, our new scheme reduces to the conventional PST scheme, revealing an elegant mathematical structure inherent in the design. We experimentally demonstrate our proposed scheme on a superconducting quantum processor, achieving an 18% reduction in error for remote Bell state generation in a 1D ( 1 × 5 ) qubit chain with enhanced robustness to specific noise channels. Furthermore, we extend our approach to a 2D ( 3 × 3 ) network and successfully generate a W state among the four corner qubits. These results highlight the potential of our new enhanced quantum state transfer scheme for scalable and noise-resilient quantum communication and computing.
Achieving robust and scalable remote quantum entanglement is one of the fundamental challenges for the development of distributed quantum networks and modular quantum computing systems. In this context, perfect state transfer (PST) and fractional state transfer (FST) have emerged as promising schemes for quantum state transfer and remote entanglement generation using only nearest-neighbor couplings. In this work, we propose a quantum state transfer scheme based on a zig-zag configuration, which introduces a control parameter for PST and FST. We show that this new parameter can suppress the population in the intermediate qubits, thereby reducing losses and enhancing state transfer. In certain limiting cases, our new scheme reduces to the conventional PST scheme, revealing an elegant mathematical structure inherent in the design. We experimentally demonstrate our proposed scheme on a superconducting quantum processor, achieving an 18% reduction in error for remote Bell state generation in a 1D ( 1 × 5 ) qubit chain with enhanced robustness to specific noise channels. Furthermore, we extend our approach to a 2D ( 3 × 3 ) network and successfully generate a W state among the four corner qubits. These results highlight the potential of our new enhanced quantum state transfer scheme for scalable and noise-resilient quantum communication and computing.
Hamiltonian inverse engineering enables the design of protocols for specific quantum evolutions or target state preparation. Perfect state transfer (PST) and remote entanglement generation are notable examples, as they serve as key primitives in quantum information processing. However, Hamiltonians obtained through conventional methods often lack robustness against noise. Assisted by inverse engineering, we begin with a noise-resilient energy spectrum and construct a class of Hamiltonians, referred to as the dome model, that significantly improves the system's robustness against noise, as confirmed by numerical simulations. This model introduces a tunable parameter m that modifies the energy-level spacing and gives rise to a well-structured Hamiltonian. It reduces to the conventional PST model at m=0 and simplifies to a SWAP model involving only two end qubits in the large-m regime. To address the challenge of scalability, we propose a cascaded strategy that divides long-distance PST into multiple consecutive PST steps. Our work is particularly suited for demonstration on superconducting qubits with tunable couplers, which enable rapid and flexible Hamiltonian engineering, thereby advancing the experimental potential of robust and scalable quantum information processing.
In quantum computation and quantum information processing, the manipulation and engineering of quantum systems to suit certain purposes are an ongoing task. One such example is quantum state transfer (QST), an essential requirement for both quantum communication and large-scale quantum computation. Here we engineer a chain of four superconducting qubits with tunable couplers to realize the perfect state transfer (PST) protocol originally proposed in quantum spin networks and successfully demonstrate the efficient transfer of an arbitrary single-qubit state from one end of the chain to the other, achieving a high fidelity of 0.986 in just 25 ns. This demonstrated QST is readily to extend to larger chain and multi-node configurations, thus serving as a desirable tool for scalable quantum information processing.
As quantum information technologies advance, challenges in scaling and connectivity persist, particularly the need for long-range qubit connectivity and efficient entanglement generation. Perfect State Transfer enables time-optimal state transfer between distant qubits using only nearest-neighbor couplings, enhancing device connectivity. Moreover, the transfer protocol results in effective parity-dependent non-local interactions, extending its utility to entanglement generation. Here, we experimentally demonstrate Perfect State Transfer and multi-qubit entanglement generation on a chain of six superconducting transmon qubits with tunable couplers, controlled via parametric drives. By simultaneously activating and engineering all couplings, we implement the transfer for up to six qubits, verifying single-excitation dynamics for different initial states. Extending the protocol to multiple excitations, we confirm its parity-dependent nature, where excitation number controls the phase of the transferred state. Finally, leveraging this property, we prepare a Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state using a single transfer operation, showcasing potential of Perfect State Transfer for efficient entanglement generation.
Quantum communication between remote chips is essential for realizing large-scale superconducting quantum computers. For such communication, itinerant microwave photons propagating through transmission lines offer a promising approach. However, demonstrations to date have relied on frequency-tunable circuit elements to compensate for fabrication-related parameter variations between sender and receiver devices, introducing control complexity and limiting scalability. In this work, we demonstrate deterministic quantum state transfer and remote entanglement generation between fixed-frequency superconducting qubits on separate chips. To compensate for the sender-receiver mismatch, we employ a frequency-tunable photon-generation technique which enables us to adjust the photon frequency without modifying circuit parameters. To enhance the frequency tunability, we implement broadband transfer resonators composed of two coupled coplanar-waveguide resonators, achieving a bandwidth of more than 100 MHz. This broadband design enables successful quantum communication across a 30-MHz range of photon frequencies between the remote qubits. Quantum process tomography reveals state transfer fidelities of around 79% and Bell-state fidelities of around 73% across the full frequency range. Our approach avoids the complexity of the control lines and noise channels, providing a flexible pathway toward scalable quantum networks.
Effective quantum communication between remote quantum nodes requires high fidelity quantum state transfer and remote entanglement generation. Recent experiments have demonstrated that microwave photons, as well as phonons, can be used to couple superconducting qubits, with a fidelity limited primarily by loss in the communication channel [P. Kurpiers et al., Nature (London) 558, 264 (2018)NATUAS0028-083610.1038/s41586-018-0195-y; C. J. Axline et al., Nat. Phys. 14, 705 (2018)NPAHAX1745-247310.1038/s41567-018-0115-y; P. Campagne-Ibarcq et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 200501 (2018)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.120.200501; N. Leung et al., npj Quantum Inf. 5, 18 (2019)2056-638710.1038/s41534-019-0128-0; Y. P. Zhong et al., Nat. Phys. 15, 741 (2019)NPAHAX1745-247310.1038/s41567-019-0507-7; A. Bienfait et al., Science 364, 368 (2019)SCIEAS0036-807510.1126/science.aaw8415]. Adiabatic protocols can overcome channel loss by transferring quantum states without populating the lossy communication channel. Here, we present a unique superconducting quantum communication system, comprising two superconducting qubits connected by a 0.73 m-long communication channel. Significantly, we can introduce large tunable loss to the channel, allowing exploration of different entanglement protocols in the presence of dissipation. When set for minimum loss in the channel, we demonstrate an adiabatic quantum state transfer protocol that achieves 99% transfer efficiency as well as the deterministic generation of entangled Bell states with a fidelity of 96%, all without populating the intervening communication channel, and competitive with a qubit-resonant mode-qubit relay method. We also explore the performance of the adiabatic protocol in the presence of significant channel loss, and show that the adiabatic protocol protects against loss in the channel, achieving higher state transfer and entanglement fidelities than the relay method.
Abstract Perfect state transfer (PST) through a spin chain can be theoretically obtained via predesigned PST couplings. We perform the algorithmic PST simulations through short spin chains on IBM quantum computers, alongside Qiskit simulations. The results demonstrate low transmission success probability (SP) due to noise. To characterize the noise effects in system dynamics, we propose a comprehensive noise model incorporating Pauli errors, thermal relaxation, dephasing, and ZZ crosstalk. Simulations of the SP time evolution using this model in Qiskit show strong agreement with the experimental results. Building on the model, we further propose two noise mitigation strategies: rescaling technique and optimal coupling design via grid search or Bayesian optimization. Both approaches yield significant SP improvements in simulations and on hardware. Our work underscores the challenges in implementing algorithms on current quantum hardware and paves the way for developing noise-resistant protocols.