## Physics

### Framework for covert and secret key expansion over classical-quantum channels

PRA: Quantum information - 8 hours 45 min ago

Author(s): Mehrdad Tahmasbi and Matthieu R. Bloch

Covert and secret quantum key distribution aims at generating information-theoretically secret bits between distant legitimate parties in a manner that remains provably undetectable by an adversary. We propose a framework in which to precisely define and analyze such an operation, and we show that c...

[Phys. Rev. A 99, 052329] Published Mon May 20, 2019

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Gradient-based optimal control of open quantum systems using quantum trajectories and automatic differentiation

PRA: Quantum information - 8 hours 45 min ago

Author(s): Mohamed Abdelhafez, David I. Schuster, and Jens Koch

We present a gradient-based optimal-control technique for open quantum systems that utilizes quantum trajectories to simulate the quantum dynamics during optimization. Using trajectories allows for optimizing open systems with less computational cost than the regular density matrix approaches in mos...

[Phys. Rev. A 99, 052327] Published Mon May 20, 2019

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Entanglement through qubit motion and the dynamical Casimir effect

PRA: Quantum information - 8 hours 45 min ago

Author(s): Andrés Agustí, Enrique Solano, and Carlos Sabín

We explore the interplay between acceleration radiation and the dynamical Casimir effect in the field of superconducting quantum technologies, analyzing the generation of entanglement between two qubits by means of the dynamical Casimir effect in several states of qubit motion. We show that the corr...

[Phys. Rev. A 99, 052328] Published Mon May 20, 2019

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Quantum chaos challenges many-body localization. (arXiv:1905.06345v1 [cond-mat.str-el])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

Characterizing states of matter through the lens of their ergodic properties is a fascinating new direction of research. In the quantum realm, the many-body localization (MBL) was proposed to be the paradigmatic nonergodic phenomenon, which extends the concept of Anderson localization to interacting systems. At the same time, random matrix theory has established a powerful framework for characterizing the onset of quantum chaos and ergodicity (or the absence thereof) in quantum many-body systems. Here we study a paradigmatic class of models that are expected to exhibit MBL, i.e., disordered spin chains with Heisenberg-like interactions. Surprisingly, we observe that exact calculations show no evidence of approaching MBL while increasing disordered strength in the ergodic regime. Moreover, a scaling analysis suggests that quantum chaotic properties survive for any disorder strength in the thermodynamic limit. Our results are based on calculations of the spectral form factor, which provides a powerful measure for the emergence of many-body quantum chaos.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Number-State Preserving Tensor Networks as Classifiers for Supervised Learning. (arXiv:1905.06352v1 [quant-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

We propose a restricted class of tensor network state, built from number-state preserving tensors, for supervised learning tasks. This class of tensor network is argued to be a natural choice for classifiers as (i) they map classical data to classical data, and thus preserve the interpretability of data under tensor transformations, (ii) they can be efficiently trained to maximize their scalar product against classical data sets, and (iii) they seem to be as powerful as generic (unrestricted) tensor networks in this task. Our proposal is demonstrated using a variety of benchmark classification problems, where number-state preserving versions of commonly used networks (including MPS, TTN and MERA) are trained as effective classifiers. This work opens the path for powerful tensor network methods such as MERA, which were previously computationally intractable as classifiers, to be employed for difficult tasks such as image recognition.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Extending the Quantum Coherence of a Near-Surface Qubit by Coherently Driving the Paramagnetic Surface Environment. (arXiv:1905.06405v1 [quant-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

Surfaces enable useful functionalities for quantum systems, e.g. as interfaces to sensing targets, but often result in surface-induced decoherence where unpaired electron spins are common culprits. Here we show that the coherence time of a near-surface qubit is increased by coherent radio-frequency driving of surface electron spins, where we use a diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center as a model qubit. This technique is complementary to other methods of suppressing decoherence, and importantly, requires no additional materials processing or control of the qubit. Further, by combining driving with the increased magnetic susceptibility of the double-quantum basis we realize an overall fivefold sensitivity enhancement in NV magnetometry. Informed by our results, we discuss a path toward relaxation-limited coherence times for near-surface NV centers. The surface spin driving technique presented here is broadly applicable to a wide variety of qubit platforms afflicted by surface-induced decoherence.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Dipolar polaritons squeezed at unitarity. (arXiv:1905.06418v1 [cond-mat.quant-gas])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

Interaction of dipolar polaritons can be efficiently tuned by means of a shape resonance in their excitonic component. Provided the resonance width is large, a squeezed population of strongly interacting polaritons may persist on the repulsive side of the resonance. The derived analytical expression for the polariton coupling constant reveals an excellent agreement with the puzzling experimental observations [I. Rosenberg et al., Sci. Adv. 4, 8880 (2018)]. Our arguments provide a new direction for the quest of interactions in quantum photonics.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### A Scalable Quantum Computing Platform Using Symmetric-Top Molecules. (arXiv:1905.06439v1 [physics.atom-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

We propose a new scalable platform for quantum computing (QC) -- an array of optically trapped symmetric-top molecules (STMs) of the alkaline earth monomethoxide (MOCH$_3$) family. Individual STMs form qubits, and the system is readily scalable to 100 to 1000 qubits.STM qubits have desirable features for quantum computing compared to atoms and diatomic molecules. The additional rotational degree of freedom about the symmetric top axis gives rise to closely-spaced opposite parity $K$-doublets that allow full alignment at low electric fields, and the hyperfine structure naturally provides magnetically insensitive states with switchable electric dipole moments. These features lead to much reduced requirements for electric field control, provide minimal sensitivity to environmental perturbations, and allow for 2-qubit interactions that can be switched on at will. We examine in detail the internal structure of STMs relevant to our proposed platform, taking into account the full effective molecular Hamiltonian including hyperfine interactions, and identify useable STM qubit states. We then examine the effects of the electric dipolar interaction in STMs, which not only guide the designing of high-fidelity gates, but also elucidate the nature of dipolar spin-exchange in STMs. Under realistic experimental parameters, we estimate that the proposed QC platform could yield gate errors at the $10^{-3}$ level, approaching that required for fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Quantum Non-demolition Measurement of a Many-Body Hamiltonian. (arXiv:1905.06444v1 [quant-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

An ideal quantum measurement collapses the wave function of a quantum system to an eigenstate of the measured observable, with the corresponding eigenvalue determining the measurement outcome. For a quantum non-demolition (QND) observable, i.e., one that commutes with the Hamiltonian generating the system's time evolution, repeated measurements yield the same result, corresponding to measurements with minimal disturbance. This concept applies universally to single quantum particles as well as to complex many-body systems. However, while QND measurements of systems with few degrees of freedom has been achieved in seminal quantum optics experiments, it is an open challenge to devise QND measurement of a complex many-body observable. Here, we describe how a QND measurement of the Hamiltonian of an interacting many-body system can be implemented in a trapped-ion analog quantum simulator. Through a single shot measurement, the many-body system is prepared in a narrow energy band of (highly excited) energy eigenstates, and potentially even a single eigenstate. Our QND scheme, which can be carried over to other platforms of quantum simulation, provides a novel framework to investigate experimentally fundamental aspects of equilibrium and non-equilibrium statistical physics including the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (ETH) and quantum fluctuation relations.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Towards a Spectroscopic Protocol for Unambiguous Detection of Quantum Coherence in Excitonic Energy Transport. (arXiv:1905.06453v1 [quant-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

The role of quantum effects in excitonic energy transport (EET) has been scrutinised intensely and with increasingly sophisticated experimental techniques. This increased complexity requires invoking correspondingly elaborate models to fit spectroscopic data before molecular parameters can be extracted. Possible quantum effects in EET can then be studied, but the conclusions are strongly contingent on the efficacy of the fitting and the accuracy of the model. To circumvent this challenge, we propose a witness for quantum coherence in EET that can be extracted directly from two-pulse pump-probe spectroscopy experimental data. We provide simulations to judge the feasibility of our approach. Somewhat counterintuitively, our protocol does not probe quantum coherence directly, but only indirectly through its implicit deletion. It allows for classical models with no quantum coherence to be decisively ruled out.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Observing topological charges and dynamical bulk-surface correspondence with ultracold atoms. (arXiv:1905.06478v1 [cond-mat.quant-gas])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

In quenching a topological phase across phase transition, the dynamical bulk-surface correspondence emerges that the bulk topology of $d$-dimensional ($d$D) phase relates to the nontrivial pattern of quench dynamics emerging on $(d-1)$D subspace, called band inversion surfaces (BISs) in momentum space. Here we report the first experimental observation of the dynamical bulk-surface correspondence through measuring the topological charges in a 2D quantum anomalous Hall model realized in an optical Raman lattice. The system can be quenched with respect to every spin axis by suddenly varying the two-photon detuning or phases of the Raman couplings, in which the topological charges and BISs are measured dynamically by the time-averaged spin textures. We observe that the total charges in the region enclosed by BISs define a dynamical topological invariant, which equals the Chern index of the post-quench band. The topological charges relate to an emergent dynamical field which exhibits nontrivial topology on BIS, rendering the dynamical bulk-surface correspondence. This study opens a new avenue to explore topological phases dynamically.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Nonreciprocal photon blockade in a two-mode cavity with a second-order nonlinearity. (arXiv:1905.06502v1 [quant-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

It is shown that the Fizeau drag can be used to cause nonreciprocity. We propose the use of a nanostructured toroid cavity made of $\chi^{(2)}$ nonlinear materials to achieve nonreciprocal photon blockade (PB) through the Fizeau drag. Under the weak driving condition, we discuss the origins of the PB based on the doubly resonant modes with good spatial overlap at the fundamental and second-harmonic frequencies. We also find that for the fundamental mode, the PB happens when we drive the system from one side but the photon-induced tunneling happens when we drive the system from the other side. However, there is no such phenomenon in the second-harmonic mode. Remarkably, the PB phenomenon occurs with a reasonably small optical nonlinearity thus bringing the system parameters closer to the reasonably achievable realm by the current technology.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Measurements of the branching ratios for $6P_{1/2}$ decays in $^{138}$Ba$^+$. (arXiv:1905.06523v1 [physics.atom-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

Measurement of the branching ratios for $6P_{1/2}$ decays to $6S_{1/2}$ and $5D_{3/2}$ in $^{138}$Ba$^+$ are reported with the decay probability from $6P_{1/2}$ to $5D_{3/2}$ measured to be $p=0.268177\pm(37)_\mathrm{stat}-(20)_\mathrm{sys}$. This result differs from a recent report by $12\sigma$. A detailed account of systematics is given and the likely source of the discrepancy is identified. The new value of the branching ratio is combined with a previous experimental results to give a new estimate of $\tau=7.855(10)\,\mathrm{ns}$ for the $6P_{1/2}$ lifetime. In addition, ratios of matrix elements calculated from theory are combined with experimental results to provide improved theoretical estimates of the $6P_{3/2}$ lifetime and the associated matrix elements.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Discrete-time quantum walk algorithm for ranking nodes on a network. (arXiv:1905.06575v1 [quant-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

We present a quantum algorithm for ranking the nodes on a network in their order of importance. The algorithm is based on a directed discrete-time quantum walk, and works on all directed networks. This algorithm can theoretically be applied to the entire internet, and thus can function as a quantum PageRank algorithm. Our analysis shows that the hierarchy of quantum rank matches well with the hierarchy of classical rank for directed tree network and for non-trivial cyclic networks, the hierarchy of quantum ranks do not exactly match to the hierarchy of the classical rank. This highlights the role of quantum interference and fluctuations in networks and the importance of using quantum algorithms to rank nodes in quantum networks. Another application this algorithm can envision is to model the dynamics on networks mimicking the chemical complexes and rank active centers in order of reactivities. Since discrete-time quantum walks are implementable on current quantum processing systems, this algorithm will also be of practical relevance in analysis of quantum architecture.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Symmetry in a space of conceptual variables. (arXiv:1905.06590v1 [quant-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

A conceptual variable is any variable defined by a person or by a group of persons. Such variables may be inaccessible, meaning that they cannot be measured with arbitrary accuracy on the physical system under consideration at any given time. An example may be the spin vector of a particle; another example may be the vector (position, momentum). In this paper, a space of inaccessible conceptual variables is defined, and group actions are defined on this space. Accessible functions are then defined on the same space. Assuming this structure, the basic Hilbert space structure of quantum theory is derived: Operators on a Hilbert space corresponding to the accessible variables are introduced; when these operators have a discrete spectrum, a natural model reduction implies a new model in which the values of the accessible variables are the eigenvalues of the operator. The principle behind this model reduction demands that a group action may also be defined also on the accessible variables; this is possible if the corresponding functions are permissible, a term that is precisely defined. The following recent principle from statistics is assumed: every model reduction should be to an orbit or to a set of orbits of the group. From this derivation, a new interpretation of quantum theory is briefly discussed: I argue that a state vector may be interpreted as connected to a focused question posed to nature together with a definite answer to this question. Further discussion of these topics is provided in a recent book published by the author of this paper.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### An epistemic interpretation and foundation of quantum theory. (arXiv:1905.06592v1 [quant-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

The interpretation of quantum mechanics has been discussed since this theme first was brought up by Einstein and Bohr. This article describes a proposal for a new foundation of quantum theory, partly drawing upon ideas from statistical inference theory. The approach can be said to have an intuitive basis: The quantum states of a physical system are under certain conditions in one-to-one correspondence with the following: 1. Focus on a concrete question to nature and then 2. Give a definite answer to this question. This foundation implies an epistemic interpretation, depending upon the observer, but the objective world is restored when all observers agree on their observations on some variables. The article contains a survey of parts of the authors books on epistemic processes, which give more details about the theory. At the same time, the article extends some of the discussion in the books, and at places makes it more precise.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### A Brief Review of the "ETH-Approach to Quantum Mechanics". (arXiv:1905.06603v1 [quant-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

To begin with, some of the conundrums concerning Quantum Mechanics and its interpretation(s) are recalled. Subsequently, a sketch of the "ETH-Approach to Quantum Mechanics" is presented. This approach yields a logically coherent quantum theory of "events" featured by physical systems and of direct or projective measurements of physical quantities, without the need to invoke "observers". It enables one to determine the stochastic time evolution of states of physical systems. We also briefly comment on the quantum theory of indirect or weak measurements, which is much easier to understand and more highly developed than the theory of direct (projective) measurements. A relativistic form of the ETH-Approach will be presented in a separate paper.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Modulating quantum Fisher information of qubit in dissipative cavity by coupling strength. (arXiv:1905.06608v1 [quant-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

By using the non-Markovian master equation, we investigate the effect of the cavity and the environment on the quantum Fisher information (QFI) of an atom qubit system in a dissipation cavity. We obtain the formulae of QFI for two different initial states and analyze the effect of the atom-cavity coupling and the cavity-reservoir coupling on the QFI. The results show that the dynamic behavior of the QFI is obviously dependent on the initial atomic states, the atom-cavity coupling and the cavity-reservoir coupling. The stronger the atom-cavity coupling, the quicker the QFI oscillates and the slower the QFI reduces. Especially, the QFI will tend to a stable value not zero if the atom-cavity coupling is large enough. On the other hand, the smaller the cavity-reservoir coupling, the stronger the non-Markovian effect, the slower the QFI decay. In other words, choosing the best parameter can improve the accuracy of parameter estimation. In addition, the physical explanation of the dynamic behavior of the QFI is given by means of the QFI flow.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Discord and entanglement in non-Markovian environments at finite temperature. (arXiv:1905.06624v1 [quant-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

The dynamics evolutions of discord and entanglement of two atoms in two independent Lorentzian reservoirs at zero or finite temperature have been investigated by using the time-convolutionless master-equation method. Our results show that, when both the non-Markovian effect and the detuning are present simultaneously, due to the memory and feedback effect of the non-Markovian reservoirs, the discord and the entanglement can be effectively protected even at nonzero temperature by increasing the non-Markovian effect and the detuning. The discord and the entanglement have different robustness for different initial states and their robustness may changes under certain conditions. Nonzero temperature can accelerate the decays of discord and entanglement and induce the entanglement sudden death.

Categories: Journals, Physics

### Deterministic transformations of three-qubit entangled pure states. (arXiv:1905.06631v1 [quant-ph])

arXiv.org: Quantum Physics - Fri, 2019-05-17 20:45

The states of three-qubit systems split into two inequivalent types of genuine tripartite entanglement, namely the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) type and the $W$-type. A state belongs to one of these classes can be stochastically transformed only into a state within the same class by local operations and classical communications. We provide local quantum operations, consisting of the most general two-outcome measurement operators, for the deterministic transformations of three-qubit pure states in which the initial and the target states are in the same class. We explore these transformations, originally having the standard GHZ and the standard $W$ states, under the local measurement operators carried out by a single party and $p$ ($p=2,3$) parties (successively). We find a notable result that the standard GHZ state cannot be deterministically transformed to a GHZ-type state in which its all bipartite entanglements are nonzero, i.e., a transformation can be achieved with unit probability when the target state has at least one vanishing bipartite concurrence.

Categories: Journals, Physics