Cluster state plays a crucial role in one-way quantum computation. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a scheme to prepare an ultrahigh-fidelity four-photon linear cluster state via a spontaneous parametric down-conversion process. The state fidelity is measured to be $0.9517\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0027$. Our scheme can be directly extended to more photons to generate an
N-qubit linear cluster state. Furthermore, our scheme is optimal for generating photonic linear cluster states in the sense of achieving the maximal success probability and having the simplest strategy. The key idea is that the photon pairs are prepared in some special nonmaximally entangled states instead of the normal Bell states. To generate a
2N-qubit linear cluster state from
N pairs of entangled photons, only $(N\ensuremath{-}1)$ Hong-Ou-Mandel interferences are needed and a success probability of ${(\frac{1}{4})}^{N\ensuremath{-}1}$ is achieved.
This paper proposes a simple scheme to generate a four-atom entangled cluster state in cavity quantum electrodynamics. With the assistantce of a strong classical field the cavity is only virtually excited and no quantum information will be transferred from the atoms to the cavity during the preparation for a four-atom entangled cluster state, and thus the scheme is insensitive to the cavity field states and cavity decay. Assuming that deviation of laser intensity is 0.01 and that of simultaneity for the interaction is 0.01, it shows that the fidelity of the resulting four-atom entangled cluster state is about 0.9886. The scheme can also be used to generate a four-ion entangled cluster state in a hot trapped-ion system. Assuming that deviation of laser intensity is 0.01, it shows that the fidelity of the resulting four-ion entangled cluster state is about 0.9990. Experimental feasibility for achieving this scheme is also discussed.