Experimental Concatenation of Quantum Error Correction with Decoupling

We experimentally explore the reduction of decoherence via concatenating quantum error correction (QEC) with decoupling in liquid-state NMR quantum information processing. Decoupling provides an efficient means of suppressing decoherence from noise sources with long correlation times, and then QEC can be used more profitably for the remaining noise sources. PACS: 03.67.Lx, 03.65.Bz     

Natural Majorization of the Quantum Fourier Transformation in Phase-Estimation Algorithms

We prove that majorization relations hold step by step in the Quantum Fourier Transformation (QFT) for phase-estimation algorithms. Our result relies on the fact that states which are mixed by Hadamard operators at any stage of the computation only differ by a phase. This property is a consequence of the structure of the initial state and of the QFT, based on controlled-phase operators and a single action of a Hadamard gate per qubit. The detail of our proof shows that Hadamard gates sort the probability distribution associated to the quantum state, whereas controlled-phase operators carry all the entanglement but are immaterial to majorization. We also prove that majorization in phase-estimation algorithms follows in a most natural way from unitary evolution, unlike its counterpart in Grover's algorithm. PACS: 03.67.-a, 03.67.Lx     

Ion Trap Quantum Computing with Ca+ Ions

The scheme of an ion trap quantum computer is described and the implementation of quantum gate operations with trapped Ca⁺ ions is discussed. Quantum information processing with Ca⁺ ions is exemplified with several recent experiments investigating entanglement of ions. PACS: 03.67.Lx, 03.67.Mn, 32.80.Pj     

Towards Scalable Linear-Optical Quantum Computers

Scalable quantum computation with linear optics was considered to be impossible due to the lack of efficient two-qubit logic gates, despite the ease of implementation of one-qubit gates. Two-qubit gates necessarily need a non-linear interaction between the two photons, and the efficiency of this non-linear interaction is typically very small in bulk materials. However, it has recently been shown that this barrier can be circumvented with effective non-linearities produced by projective measurements, and with this work linear-optical quantum computing becomes a new avenue towards scalable quantum computation. We review several issues concerning the principles and requirements of this scheme. PACS: 03.67.Lx, 03.67.Pp, 42.50.Dv, 42.65.Lm     

Data Compression Limit for an Information Source of Interacting Qubits

A system of interacting qubits can be viewed as a non-i.i.d quantum information source. A possible model of such a source is provided by a quantum spin system, in which spin-1/2 particles located at sites of a lattice interact with each other. We establish the limit for the compression of information from such a source and show that asymptotically it is given by the von Neumann entropy rate. Our result can be viewed as a quantum ana-logue of Shannon's noiseless coding theorem for a class of non-i.i.d. quantum informa-tion sources. From the probabilistic point of view it is an analog of the Shannon-McMillan-Breiman theorem considered as a cornerstone of modern Information Theory. PACS: 03.67-a; 03.67.Lx     

On the Generation of Sequential Unitary Gates from Continuous Time Schrödinger Equations Driven by External Fields

In most of the proposals for quantum computers, a common feature is that the quantum circuits are expected to be made of cascades of unitary transformations acting on the quantum states. Such unitary gates are normally assumed to belong to a given discrete set of transformations. However, arbitrary superposition of quantum states may be achieved by utilizing a fixed number of transformations, each depending on a parameter. A framework is proposed to dynamically express these parameters directly in terms of the control inputs entering into the continuous time forced Schrouml;dinger equation. PACS: 03.67.Lx; 03.65.Fd; 02.30.Mv; 02.30.Xy     

How Do Two Observers Pool Their Knowledge About a Quantum System?

In the theory of classical statistical inference one can derive a simple rule by which two or more observers may combine independently obtained states of knowledge together to form a new state of knowledge, which is the state which would be possessed by someone having the combined information of both observers. Moreover, this combined state of knowledge can be found without reference to the manner in which the respective observers obtained their information. However, we show that in general this is not possible for quantum states of knowledge; in order to combine two quantum states of knowledge to obtain the state resulting from the combined information of both observers, these observers must also possess information about how their respective states of knowledge were obtained. Nevertheless, we emphasize this does not preclude the possibility that a unique, well motivated rule for combining quantum states of knowledge without reference to a measurement history could be found. We examine both the direct quantum analog of the classical problem, and that of quantum state-estimation, which corresponds to a variant in which the observers share a specific kind of prior information. PACS: 03.67.-a, 02.50.-r, 03.65.Bz     

Controlling Spin Qubits in Quantum Dots

We review progress on the spintronics proposal for quantum computing where the quantum bits (qubits) are implemented with electron spins. We calculate the exchange interaction of coupled quantum dots and present experiments, where the exchange coupling is measured via transport. Then, experiments on single spins on dots are described, where long spin relaxation times, on the order of a millisecond, are observed. We consider spin-orbit interaction as sources of spin decoherence and find theoretically that also long decoherence times are expected. Further, we describe the concept of spin filtering using quantum dots and show data of successful experiments. We also show an implementation of a read out scheme for spin qubits and define how qubits can be measured with high precision. Then, we propose new experiments, where the spin decoherence time and the Rabi oscillations of single electrons can be measured via charge transport through quantum dots. Finally, all these achievements have promising applications both in conventional and quantum information processing. PACS: 03.67.Lx, 03.67.Mn, 73.23.Hk, 85.35.Be     

Unitary Solutions to the Yang–Baxter Equation in Dimension Four

In this paper, we determine all unitary solutions to the Yang–Baxter equation in dimension four. Quantum computation motivates this study. This set of solutions will assist in clarifying the relationship between quantum entanglement and topological entanglement. We present a variety of facts about the Yang–Baxter equation for the reader unfamiliar with the equation. PACS: 02.10.Yn; 02.10.Kn; 03.65.Ud; 03.67.Hk     

Geometric Approach to Digital Quantum Information

We present geometric methods for uniformly discretizing the continuous N-qubit Hilbert space H_N. When considered as the vertices of a geometrical figure, the resulting states form the equivalent of a Platonic solid. The discretization technique inherently describes a class of /2 rotations that connect neighboring states in the set, i.e., that leave the geometrical figures invariant. These rotations are shown to generate the Clifford group, a general group of discrete transformations on N qubits. Discretizing H_N allows us to define its digital quantum information content, and we show that this information content grows as N². While we believe the discrete sets are interesting because they allow extra-classical behavior—such as quantum entanglement and quantum parallelism—to be explored while circumventing the continuity of Hilbert space, we also show how they may be a useful tool for problems in traditional quantum computation. We describe in detail the discrete sets for one and two qubits.PACS: 03.67.Lx; 03.67.pp; 03.67.-a; 03.67.Mn.PACS: 03.67.Lx; 03.67.pp; 03.67.-a; 03.67.Mn.     

Thermodynamic Interpretation of the Quantum Error Correcting Criterion

Shannon's fundamental coding theorems relate classical information theory to thermodynamics. More recent theoretical work has been successful in relating quantum information theory to thermodynamics. For example, Schumacher proved a quantum version of Shannon's 1948 classical noiseless coding theorem. In this note, we extend the connection between quantum information theory and thermodynamics to include quantum error correction. There is a standard mechanism for describing errors that may occur during the transmission, storage, and manipulation of quantum information. One can formulate a criterion of necessary and sufficient conditions for the errors to be detectable and correctable. We show that this criterion has a thermodynamical interpretation. PACS: 03.67; 05.30; 63.10     

Parametrizing Quantum States and Channels

This work describes one parametrization of quantum states and channels and several of its possible applications. This parametrization works in any dimension and there is an explicit algorithm which produces it. Included in the list of applications are a simple characterization of pure states, an explicit formula for one additive entropic quantity which does not require knowledge of eigenvalues, and an algorithm which finds one Kraus operator representation for a quantum operation without recourse to eigenvalue and eigenvector calculations. PACS: 03.67a, 03.67-Hk, 03.67-Lx     

An Example of the Difference Between Quantum and Classical Random Walks

In this note, we discuss a general definition of quantum random walks on graphs and illustrate with a simple graph the possibility of very different behavior between a classical random walk and its quantum analog. In this graph, propagation between a particular pair of nodes is exponentially faster in the quantum case. PACS: 03.67.Hk     

Visualization of the Quantum Fourier Transform Using a Quantum Computer Simulator

The quantum Fourier transform (QFT) is a key subroutine of quantum algorithms for factoring and simulation and is the heart of the hidden-subgroup problem, the solution of which is expected to lead to the development of new quantum algorithms. The QFT acts on the Hilbert space and alters the quantum mechanical phases and probability amplitudes. Unlike its classical counterpart its schematic representation and visualization are very dif.cult. The aim of this work is to develop a schematic representation and visualization of the QFT by running it on a quantum computer simulator which has been constructed in the framework of this research. Base states, superpositions of base states and entangled states are transformed and the corresponding schematic representations are presented. The visualization of the QFT presented here and the quantum computer simulator developed for this purpose may become a useful tool for introducing the QFT to students and researches without a strong background in quantum mechanics or Fourier analysis. PACS: 03.67.-a, 03.67.Lx     

Approximate Quantum Error Correction

The errors that arise in a quantum channel can be corrected perfectly if and only if the channel does not decrease the coherent information of the input state. We show that, if the loss of coherent information is small, then approximate quantum error correction is possible. PACS: 03.67.H, 03.65.U     

Quantum Information Processing in Cavity-QED

We give a brief overview of cavity-QED and its roles in quantum information science. In particular, we discuss setups in optical cavity-QED, where either atoms serve as stationary qubits, or photons serve as flying qubits. PACS: 42.50.Pq, 03.67.Lx, 03.67.Hk, 32.80.Pj     

Implementing a Quantum Algorithm with Exchange-Coupled Quantum Dots: A Feasibility Study

We present Monte Carlo wavefunction simulations for quantum computations employing an exchange-coupled array of quantum dots. Employing a combination of experimentally and theoretically available parameters, we find that gate fidelities greater than 98% may be obtained with current experimental and technological capabilities. Application to an encoded 3 qubit (nine physical qubits) Deutsch-Josza computation indicates that the algorithmic fidelity is more a question of the total time to implement the gates than of the physical complexity of those gates. PACS: 81.07.Ta, 02.70.Ss, 03.67.Lx, 03.65.Yz     

Quantum Pattern Recognition

I review and expand the model of quantum associative memory that I have recently proposed. In this model binary patterns of n bits are stored in the quantum superposition of the appropriate subset of the computational basis of n qbits. Information can be retrieved by performing an input-dependent rotation of the memory quantum state within this subset and measuring the resulting state. The amplitudes of this rotated memory state are peaked on those stored patterns which are closest in Hamming distance to the input, resulting in a high probability of measuring a memory pattern very similar to it. The accuracy of pattern recall can be tuned by adjusting a parameter playing the role of an effective temperature. This model solves the well-known capacity shortage problem of classical associative memories, providing a large improvement in capacity. PACS: 03.67.-a     

Spin-Based Quantum Dot Quantum Computing in Silicon

The spins of localized electrons in silicon are strong candidates for quantum information processing because of their extremely long coherence times and the integrability of Si within the present microelectronics infrastructure. This paper reviews a strategy for fabricating single electron spin qubits in gated quantum dots in Si/SiGe heterostructures. We discuss the pros and cons of using silicon, present recent advances, and outline challenges. PACS: 03.67.Pp, 03.67.Lx, 85.35.Be, 73.21.La