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Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics

Photonic quantum computing

Olivier Pfister

Published Mar 15, 2023• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In the race to demonstrate a scalable and fault tolerant quantum computing (QC) platform, quantum photonics stands poised to have a major impact. In particular, by encoding quantum information over fields rather than photons (continuous-variable—CV, rather than discrete-variable—DV, quantum information), record-size quantum processors were demonstrated in spectral and in temporal quantum field combs. These demonstrations used the measurement-based QC paradigm, which is based on cluster entangled states. In this talk, I will outline two of our recent results: proposals for generating hypercubic cluster states by phase modulation of the quantum optical frequency comb and for generating fault-tolerant hybrid CV-DV encodings called Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill states. The latter leverages CV cluster states along with our experimental ability to perform photon-number-resolving measurements up to 100 photons.

DOI
10.1117/12.2648330

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In the race to demonstrate a scalable and fault tolerant quantum computing (QC) platform, quantum photonics stands poised to have a major impact. In particular, by encoding quantum information over fields rather than photons (continuous-variable—CV, rather than discrete-variable—DV, quantum information), record-size quantum processors were demonstrated in spectral and in temporal quantum field combs. These demonstrations used the measurement-based QC paradigm, which is based on cluster entangled states. In this talk, I will outline two of our recent results: proposals for generating hypercubic cluster states by phase modulation of the quantum optical frequency comb and for generating fault-tolerant hybrid CV-DV encodings called Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill states. The latter leverages CV cluster states along with our experimental ability to perform photon-number-resolving measurements up to 100 photons.
Hybridizing different degrees of freedom or physical platforms potentially offers various advantages in building scalable quantum architectures. Here, we introduce a fault-tolerant hybrid quantum computation by building on the advantages of both discrete-variable (DV) and continuous-variable (CV) systems. In particular, we define a CV-DV hybrid qubit with a bosonic cat code and a single photon, which is implementable in current photonic platforms. Due to the cat code encoded in the CV part, the predominant loss errors are readily correctable without multiqubit encoding, while the logical basis is inherently orthogonal due to the DV part. We design fault-tolerant architectures by concatenating hybrid qubits and an outer DV quantum error-correction code such as a topological code, exploring their potential merit in developing scalable quantum computation. We demonstrate by numerical simulations that our scheme is at least an order of magnitude more resource efficient compared to all previous proposals in photonic platforms, allowing us to achieve a record-high loss threshold among existing CV and hybrid approaches. We discuss the realization of our approach not only in all-photonic platforms but also in other hybrid platforms including superconducting and trapped-ion systems, which allows us to find various efficient routes toward fault-tolerant quantum computing. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Abstract This topical review introduces the theoretical and experimental advances in continuous-variable (CV)—i.e. qumode-based in lieu of qubit-based—large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing and quantum simulation. An introduction to the physics and mathematics of multipartite entangled CV cluster states is given, and their connection to experimental concepts is delineated. Paths toward fault tolerance are also presented. It is the hope of the author that this review attract more contributors to the field and promote its extension to the promising technology of integrated quantum photonics.
Photonic quantum computation refers to quantum computation that uses photons as the physical system for doing the quantum computation. The field is largely divided between discrete-variable (DV) and continuous-variable (CV) photonic quantum computation. In the former, quantum information is represented by one or more modal properties (e.g. polarisation) that take on distinct values from a finite set. Quantum information is processed via operations on these modal properties (e.g. waveplates in the case of polarisation), and eventually measured using single-photon detectors. In CV photonic quantum computation, quantum information is represented by properties of the electromagnetic field that take on any value in an interval (e.g. position). Both CV and DV implementations have been realized experimentally; each has a unique set of challenges that need to be overcome to achieve scalable universal photonic quantum computation. It is possible to combine both DV and CV in a hybrid CV-DV fashion to overcome the limitations of either approach.
Hybridizing different physical systems or degrees of freedom offers significant advantages for realizing practical, universal, scalable, and fault-tolerant quantum computation (FTQC). Here, we propose optical FTQC schemes with low squeezing thresholds by leveraging the strengths of both discrete-variable (DV) and continuous-variable (CV) systems while utilizing frequency, time, and orbital angular momentum degrees of freedom. First, we design an optical entanglement generator (OEG) capable of producing various types of entangled pairs, including cluster pairs, hybrid entangled pairs, and GKP Bell pairs, which can be flexibly chosen by adjusting the measurement basis. Additionally, the OEG features extra ports for directly inputting (outputting) data (result) states via quantum teleportation, eliminating the need for optical switches. Secondly, large-scale one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional (3D) hybrid cluster states, composed of DV Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) qubits and CV squeezed states, are deterministically generated using the entangled pairs passed through a time-delay system. Moreover, we optimize the surface-GKP code to further reduce logical errors during the stabilizer measurements in the surface code. By combining the 3D cubic hybrid cluster state with the modified surface-GKP code and accounting for full circuit-level noise, FTQC is achieved with a squeezing threshold of 10 dB. Moreover, our method can also generate a 3D macronode Raussendorf-Harrington-Goyal (RHG) cluster state, facilitating an alternative FTQC scheme via the RHG-GKP code. Our work provides a viable pathway toward future optical FTQC architectures.
Integrated photonic quantum chips have emerged as a promising platform for realizing fault-tolerant photonic quantum computers. Compared with bulk-optics systems, integrated photonics offer compact device footprints, enhanced programmability, and exceptional stability, attributes that are essential for executing large-scale and computationally demanding quantum tasks. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in both discrete-variable and continuous-variable universal photonic quantum computation. We survey progress in fault-tolerant architectures and state-of-the-art integrated platforms and highlight the key challenges that must be addressed to scale photonic systems toward full fault tolerance. Finally, we outline future opportunities and research directions aimed at bridging the gap between current proof-of-principle demonstrations and fully scalable quantum microprocessors.