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Science

Good vibrations in quantum communication

Ian S. Osborne

Published Apr 25, 2019• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum Physics Quantum information processing platforms typically require qubits to talk to each other. To date, photons (either optical or microwave) have been the carrier of choice to transfer quantum states between the qubits. For some solid-state systems, however, the vibrational properties of the materials themselves, phonons, could be advantageous. Bienfait et al. describe the deterministic emission and capture of itinerant phonons through an acoustic communication channel, enabling the phonon-based coherent transfer of quantum states from one superconducting qubit to another and the quantum entanglement of the two qubits over the acoustic channel. The results provide a route to couple hybrid quantum solid-state systems using surface acoustic waves. Science , this issue p. [368][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aaw8415

DOI
10.1126/science.364.6438.347-i

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Quantum Physics
Quantum information processing platforms typically require qubits to talk to each other. To date, photons (either optical or microwave) have been the carrier of choice to transfer quantum states between the qubits. For some solid-state systems, however, the vibrational properties of the materials themselves, phonons, could be advantageous. Bienfait et al. describe the deterministic emission and capture of itinerant phonons through an acoustic communication channel, enabling the phonon-based coherent transfer of quantum states from one superconducting qubit to another and the quantum entanglement of the two qubits over the acoustic channel. The results provide a route to couple hybrid quantum solid-state systems using surface acoustic waves.
Science , this issue p. 368
Phonons, and in particular surface acoustic wave phonons, have been proposed as a means to coherently couple distant solid-state quantum systems. Individual phonons in a resonant structure can be controlled and detected by superconducting qubits, enabling the coherent generation and measurement of complex stationary phonon states. We report the deterministic emission and capture of itinerant surface acoustic wave phonons, enabling the quantum entanglement of two superconducting qubits. Using a 2-millimeter-long acoustic quantum communication channel, equivalent to a 500-nanosecond delay line, we demonstrate the emission and recapture of a phonon by one superconducting qubit, quantum state transfer between two superconducting qubits with a 67% efficiency, and, by partial transfer of a phonon, generation of an entangled Bell pair with a fidelity of 84%.
Abstract Surface acoustic waves are commonly used in classical electronics applications, and their use in quantum systems is beginning to be explored, as evidenced by recent experiments using acoustic Fabry–Pérot resonators. Here we explore their use for quantum communication, where we demonstrate a single-phonon surface acoustic wave transmission line, which links two physically separated qubit nodes. Each node comprises a microwave phonon transducer, an externally controlled superconducting variable coupler, and a superconducting qubit. Using this system, precisely shaped individual itinerant phonons are used to coherently transfer quantum information between the two physically distinct quantum nodes, enabling the high-fidelity node-to-node transfer of quantum states as well as the generation of a two-node Bell state. We further explore the dispersive interactions between an itinerant phonon emitted from one node and interacting with the superconducting qubit in the remote node. The observed interactions between the phonon and the remote qubit promise future quantum-optics-style experiments with itinerant phonons.
Optomechanics The ideal platform for quantum-computing and quantum-sensing applications is likely to be a hybrid system that combines the best features of different components. Superconducting circuits are relatively advanced, and finding components that can control and manipulate the microwaves will be essential. MacCabe et al. explored the use of high-quality microresonators in which the acoustic environment could be engineered such that the phonon lifetime could be extended to more than 1 second. Operating at microwave frequencies of 5 gigahertz, these quantum acoustic-dynamic devices could be coupled with superconducting circuits. Science , this issue p. [840][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.abc7312
Quantum Processing Quantum computers exploit the quantum-mechanical properties of materials to store and manipulate information stored in the quantum states of atoms or artificial atoms. Although there are a number of quantum platforms under investigation already, Gustafsson et al. present another, based on the propagation of sound waves on the surface of a crystal (see the Perspective by Ruskov and Tahan). The ability to tune the system and the slow propagation speeds of the acoustic waves offer new opportunities to control and process quantum information. Science , this issue p. [207][1]; see also p. [165][2] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1257219 [2]: /lookup/volpage/346/165?iss=6206
Atoms, ions, and superconducting qubits are all examples of quantum objects, capable of producing and processing individual quanta of light, known as photons. Mechanical movement can be quantized in the same way as light, into particles of vibration known as phonons. Recent experiments have shown that quantum information generated in qubits can be converted to vibrations in mechanical resonators, which resemble miniature drum skins or piano strings. Such resonators restrict motion to their discrete and stationary modes, and thus serve as \emph{local storage units} for phonons. Here, we demonstrate the use of phonons as \emph{propagating carriers} of quantum information, by coupling them strongly to a superconducting qubit. The phonons thus serve the same role as itinerant photons have in the field of quantum optics. Due to the low speed of sound and a potential for very strong coupling, the use of propagating phonons as quantum carriers allows regimes to be explored which are difficult or impossible to reach with photons.
Phonons, the ubiquitous quanta of vibrational energy, play a vital role in the performance of quantum technologies. Conversely, unintended coupling to phonons degrades qubit performance and can lead to correlated errors in superconducting qubit systems. Regardless of whether phonons play an enabling or deleterious role, they do not typically admit control over their spectral properties, nor the possibility of engineering their dissipation to be used as a resource. Here we show that coupling a superconducting qubit to a bath of piezoelectric surface acoustic wave phonons enables a novel platform for investigating open quantum systems. By shaping the loss spectrum of the qubit via the bath of lossy surface phonons, we demonstrate preparation and dynamical stabilization of superposition states through the combined effects of drive and dissipation. These experiments highlight the versatility of engineered phononic dissipation and advance the understanding of mechanical losses in superconducting qubit systems.