QUROPE Quantum Information Processing and Communication in Europe

We consider how the theory of optimal quantum measurements determines the maximum information available to the receiving party of a quantum key distribution (QKD) system employing linearly independent but non-orthogonal quantum states. Such a setting is characteristic of several practical QKD protocols. Due to non-orthogonality, the receiver is not able to discriminate unambiguously between the signals. To understand the fundamental limits that this imposes, the quantity of interest is the maximum mutual information between the transmitter (Alice) and the receiver, whether legitimate (Bob) or an eavesdropper (Eve). To find the optimal measurement we use a framework based on operator algebra and general results derived from singular value decomposition, achieving optimal solutions for von Neumann measurements and positive operator-valued measures (POVMs). The formal proof and quantitative analysis elaborated for two signals allow one to conclude that optimal von Neumann measurements are uniquely defined and provide a higher information gain compared to POVMs. Interestingly, collective measurements not only do not provide additional information gain with respect to individual ones, but also suffer from a gain reduction in the case of POVMs.

The braiding operations of quantum states have attracted substantial attention due to their great potential for realizing topological quantum computations. In this paper, we show that a three-fold degenerate eigen subspace can be obtained in a four-level Hamiltonian which is the minimal physical system. Braiding operations are proposed to apply to dressed states in the subspace. The topology of the braiding diagram can be characterized through physical methods once that the sequential braiding pulses are adopted. We establish an equivalent relationship function between the permutation group and the output states where different output states correspond to different values of the function. The topological transition of the braiding happens when two operations overlap, which is detectable through the measurement of the function. Combined with the phase variation method, we can analyze the wringing pattern of the braiding. Therefore, the experimentally-feasible system provides a platform to investigate braiding dynamics, the SU(3) physics and the qutrit gates.

In this work, we provide a detailed analysis of the issue of encoding of quantum information which is invariant with respect to arbitrary Lorentz transformations. We significantly extend already known results and provide compliments where necessary. In particular, we introduce novel schemes for invariant encoding which utilize so-called pair-wise helicity -- a physical parameter characterizing pairs of electric-magnetic charges. We also introduce new schemes for ordinary massive and massless particles based on states with fixed total momentum, in contrast to all protocols already proposed, which assumed equal momenta of all the particles involved in the encoding scheme. Moreover, we provide a systematic discussion of already existing protocols and show directly that they are invariant with respect to Lorentz transformations drawn according to any distribution, a fact which was not manifestly shown in previous works.

Many-body open quantum systems (OQS) have a profound impact on various subdisciplines of physics, chemistry, and biology. Thus, the development of a computer program capable of accurately, efficiently, and versatilely simulating many-body OQS is highly desirable. In recent years, we have focused on the advancement of numerical algorithms based on the fermionic hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM) theory. Being in-principle exact, this approach allows for the precise characterization of many-body correlations, non-Markovian memory, and non-equilibrium thermodynamic conditions. These efforts now lead to the establishment of a new computer program, HEOM for QUantum Impurity with a Correlated Kernel, version 2 (HEOM-QUICK2), which, to the best of our knowledge, is currently the only general-purpose simulator for fermionic many-body OQS. Compared with version 1, the HEOM-QUICK2 program features more efficient solvers for stationary states, more accurate treatment of non-Markovian memory, and improved numerical stability for long-time dissipative dynamics. Integrated with quantum chemistry software, HEOM-QUICK2 has become a valuable theoretical tool for the precise simulation of realistic many-body OQS, particularly the single atomic or molecular junctions. Furthermore, the unprecedented precision achieved by HEOM-QUICK2 enables accurate simulation of low-energy spin excitations and coherent spin relaxation. The unique usefulness of HEOM-QUICK2 is demonstrated through several examples of strongly correlated quantum impurity systems under non-equilibrium conditions. Thus, the new HEOM-QUICK2 program offers a powerful and comprehensive tool for studying many-body OQS with exotic quantum phenomena and exploring applications in various disciplines.

Mode-pairing quantum key distribution (MP-QKD) can surpass the repeaterless rate-transmittance bound (Pirandola-Laurenza-Ottaviani-Banchi bound) without requiring global phase locking, exhibiting remarkable flexibility. However, MP-QKD necessitates equal communication distances in two channels, which is a challenging requirement in practical applications. To address this limitation, we extend the original MP-QKD to asymmetric cases. Our decoy-state estimation confirms that asymmetric channel transmittances and asymmetric intensities do not compromise the security of the protocol. We focus on the pulse-intensity relationship, a key factor for optimizing the performance of asymmetric MP-QKD. Unlike previous asymmetric protocols, the intensities of different bases in asymmetric MP-QKD cannot be decoupled. We introduce an optimal-pulse-intensity method, adaptable to various scenarios, to enhance key rates by calculating ideal pulse intensities. Simulation results in various representative scenarios indicate that our method effectively reduces the impact of asymmetric channel distances on MP-QKD performance, enhancing its practical applicability.

Optical two-dimensional (2D) spectroscopy under pump-probe geometry has achieved significant successes in one-quantum research. However, due to the typical phase matching condition, its implementation on the measurement of double-quantum (2Q) coherence have been limited for long, until recently Farrell and Zanni realized detecting 2Q signal with a permuted--pump--probe pulse sequence in 2D infrared spectroscopy. Here, we promote this technique to 2D electronic spectroscopy. Using this pulse sequence, both the 2Q and zero-quantum (0Q) signal will be detected. We present that with the propagation phase of the probe pulse and by applying a rotating frame, the 2Q and 0Q coherence exhibit distinct effective oscillation frequencies during the scanned interval. These frequencies may share the same sign. We propose that 2Q and 0Q coherence could be separated onto different spectra using phase cycling techniques and causality enforcement. Our experimental demonstration on measuring the electronic 2Q coherence of rubidium atoms yields broadband spectra. Notably, we simultaneously observe not only the doubly excited state of an individual rubidium atom but also the collective resonances of dipole-dipole interactions of both $D_{1}$ and $D_{2}$ lines.

We present two infinite families of coherent quantum speed limits (QSLs) for general unitary dynamics by employing the H\"older's inequality for matrix norms. Our approach clearly highlights the contribution of the coherence of the evolved states, and provides novel QSL bounds characterized by coherence measures based on Schatten $p$-norm or Hellinger distance. We illustrate our findings with relevant models, demonstrating our bounds are much tighter than the established ones and asymptotically saturable in the adiabatic limit. Our results show that rapid quantum dynamics requires coherent superpositions of energy eigenstates, singling out coherence as a key resource for the evolution of quantum systems.

We devise an autonomous quantum thermal machine consisting of three pairwise-interacting qubits, two of which are locally coupled to separate classical reservoirs. The machine operates autonomously, as it requires no time-coherent control, external driving or quantum bath engineering, and is instead propelled by a chemical potential bias between the reservoirs. Under ideal conditions, we show that this out-of-equilibrium system can deterministically generate a maximally entangled steady-state between two of the qubits, or in fact, any desired pure two-qubit entangled state, emerging as a dark state of the system. The entanglement production is also robust, such that nearly-maximally-entangled states can be generated well-away from the ideal regime of operation. Furthermore, we show that our machine architecture can be generalised to a configuration with $2n-1$ qubits, in which only a potential bias and two-body interactions are sufficient to generate genuine multipartite maximally entangled steady states in the form of a W state of $n$ qubits.

As quantum circuits become more integrated and complex, additional error sources that were previously insignificant start to emerge. Consequently, the fidelity of quantum gates benchmarked under pristine conditions falls short of predicting their performance in realistic circuits. To overcome this problem, we must improve their robustness against pertinent error models besides isolated fidelity. Here we report the experimental realization of robust quantum gates in superconducting quantum circuits based on a geometric framework for diagnosing and correcting various gate errors. Using quantum process tomography and randomized benchmarking, we demonstrate robust single-qubit gates against quasi-static noise and spatially-correlated noise in a broad range of strengths, which are common sources of coherent errors in large-scale quantum circuit. We also apply our method to non-static noises and to realize robust two-qubit gates. Our work provides a versatile toolbox for achieving noise-resilient complex quantum circuits.

The investigation of many-body interactions holds significant importance in both quantum foundations and information. Hamiltonians coupling multiple particles at once, beyond others, can lead to a faster entanglement generation, multiqubit gate implementation and improved error correction. As an increasing number of quantum platforms enable the realization of such physical settings, it becomes interesting to study the verification of many-body interaction resources. In this work, we explore the possibility of higher-order couplings detection through the quantum Fisher information. For a family of symmetric and translationally invariant $k$-body Ising-like Hamiltonians, we derive the bounds on the quantum Fisher information in product states. Due to its ordering with respect to the order of interaction, we demonstrate the possibility of detecting many-body couplings for a given Hamiltonian from the discussed family by observing violations of an appropriate bound.

Two-level atoms coupled with single-mode cavity photons are predicted to exhibit a quantum phase transition when the coupling strength exceeds a critical value, entering a phase in which atomic polarization and photonic field are finite even at zero temperature and without external driving. However, this phenomenon, the superradiant phase transition (SRPT), is forbidden by a no-go theorem due to the existence of the diamagnetic term in the Hamiltonian. Here, we present spectroscopic evidence for a magnonic SRPT in ErFeO$_3$, where the role of the photonic mode (two-level atoms) in the photonic SRPT is played by an Fe$^{3+}$ magnon mode (Er$^{3+}$ spins). The absence of the diamagnetic term in the Fe$^{3+}$-Er$^{3+}$ exchange coupling ensures that the no-go theorem does not apply. Terahertz and gigahertz magnetospectroscopy experiments revealed the signatures of the SRPT -- a kink and a softening, respectively, of two spin-magnon hybridized modes at the critical point.

Building a Quantum Internet requires the development of new networking concepts at the intersection of frontier communication systems and long-distance quantum communication. Here, we present the implementation of a quantum-enabled internet prototype, where we have combined Software-Defined and Time-Sensitive Networking principles with Quantum Communication between quantum memories. Using a deployed quantum network connecting Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory, we demonstrate a fundamental long-distance quantum network service, that of high-visibility Hong-Ou-Mandel Interference of telecom photons produced in two independent quantum memories separated by a distance of 158 km.

Utilizing quantum computer to investigate quantum chemistry is an important research field nowadays. In addition to the ground-state problems that have been widely studied, the determination of excited-states plays a crucial role in the prediction and modeling of chemical reactions and other physical processes. Here, we propose a non-variational full circuit-based quantum algorithm for obtaining the excited-state spectrum of a quantum chemistry Hamiltonian. Compared with previous classical-quantum hybrid variational algorithms, our method eliminates the classical optimization process, reduces the resource cost caused by the interaction between different systems, and achieves faster convergence rate and stronger robustness against noise without barren plateau. The parameter updating for determining the next energy-level is naturally dependent on the energy measurement outputs of the previous energy-level and can be realized by only modifying the state preparation process of ancillary system, introducing little additional resource overhead. Numerical simulations of the algorithm with hydrogen, LiH, H2O and NH3 molecules are presented. Furthermore, we offer an experimental demonstration of the algorithm on a superconducting quantum computing platform, and the results show a good agreement with theoretical expectations. The algorithm can be widely applied to various Hamiltonian spectrum determination problems on the fault-tolerant quantum computers.

The various generalized spectral determinants (G-functions) of the two-photon quantum Rabi model are analyzed with emphasis on the qualitative aspects of the regular spectrum. Whereas all of them yield at least a subset of the exact regular eigenvalues, only the G-function proposed by Chen et al. in 2012 exhibits an explicitly known pole structure which dictates the approach to the collapse point. We derive this function rigorously employing the $\mathbb{Z}_4$-symmetry of the model and show that its zeros correspond to the complete regular spectrum.

Although local Hamiltonians exhibit local time dynamics, this locality is not explicit in the Schr\"{o}dinger picture in the sense that the wavefunction amplitudes do not obey a local equation of motion. We show that geometric locality can be achieved explicitly in the equations of motion by "gauging" the global unitary invariance of quantum mechanics into a local gauge invariance. That is, expectation values $\langle \psi|A|\psi \rangle$ are invariant under a global unitary transformation acting on the wavefunction $|\psi\rangle \to U |\psi\rangle$ and operators $A \to U A U^\dagger$, and we show that it is possible to gauge this global invariance into a local gauge invariance. To do this, we replace the wavefunction with a collection of local wavefunctions $|\psi_J\rangle$, one for each patch of space $J$. The collection of spatial patches is chosen to cover the space; e.g. we could choose the patches to be single qubits or nearest-neighbor sites on a lattice. Local wavefunctions associated with neighboring pairs of spatial patches $I$ and $J$ are related to each other by dynamical unitary transformations $U_{IJ}$. The local wavefunctions are local in the sense that their dynamics are local. That is, the equations of motion for the local wavefunctions $|\psi_J\rangle$ and connections $U_{IJ}$ are explicitly local in space and only depend on nearby Hamiltonian terms. (The local wavefunctions are many-body wavefunctions and have the same Hilbert space dimension as the usual wavefunction.) We call this picture of quantum dynamics the gauge picture since it exhibits a local gauge invariance. The local dynamics of a single spatial patch is related to the interaction picture, where the interaction Hamiltonian consists of only nearby Hamiltonian terms. We can also generalize the explicit locality to include locality in local charge and energy densities.

We study diffusion in systems of classical particles whose dynamics conserves the total center of mass. This conservation law leads to several interesting consequences. In finite systems, it allows for equilibrium distributions that are exponentially localized near system boundaries. It also yields an unusual approach to equilibrium, which in $d$ dimensions exhibits scaling with dynamical exponent $z = 4+d$. Similar phenomena occur for dynamics that conserves higher moments of the density, which we systematically classify using a family of nonlinear diffusion equations. In the quantum setting, analogous fermionic systems are shown to form real-space Fermi surfaces, while bosonic versions display a real-space analog of Bose-Einstein condensation.

Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) steering, a fundamental concept of quantum nonlocality, describes one observer's capability to remotely affect another distant observer's state by local measurements. Unlike quantum entanglement and Bell nonlocality, both associated with the symmetric quantum correlation, EPR steering depicts the unique asymmetric property of quantum nonlocality. With the local filter operation in which some system components are discarded, quantum nonlocality can be distilled to enhance the nonlocal correlation, and even the hidden nonlocality can be activated. However, asymmetric quantum nonlocality in the filter operation still lacks a well-rounded investigation, especially considering the discarded parts where quantum nonlocal correlations may still exist with probabilities. Here, in both theory and experiment, we investigate the effect of reusing the discarded particles from local filter. We observe all configurations of EPR steering simultaneously and other intriguing evolution of asymmetric quantum nonlocality, such as reversing the direction of one-way EPR steering. This work provides a perspective to answer "What is the essential role of utilizing quantum steering as a resource?", and demonstrates a practical toolbox for manipulating asymmetric quantum systems with significant potential applications in quantum information tasks.

As one of the most elegant theories in physics, Yang-Mills (YM) theory not only incorporates Maxwell's equations unifying electromagnetism, but also underpins the standard model explaining the electroweak and strong interactions in a succinct way. Whereas the highly nonlinear terms in YM equations involving the interactions between potentials and fields retard the resolution for them. In the $U(1)$ case, the solutions of Maxwell's equations are the electromagnetic waves, which have been applied extensively in the modern communication networks all over the world. Likewise the operator solutions of the YM equations under the assumptions of weak-coupling and zero-coupling predict the $SU(2)$ angular-momentum waves, which is the staple of this work. Such angular-momentum waves are hopefully realized in the experiments through the oscillations of spin angular momentum, such as the ``spin Zitterbewegung'' of Dirac's electron.

Restrictions imposed by existing infrastructure can make it hard to ensure an even spacing between the nodes of future fiber-based quantum networks. We here investigate the negative effects of asymmetric node placement by considering separately the placement of midpoint stations required for heralded entanglement generation, as well as of processing-node quantum repeaters in a chain. For midpoint stations, we describe the effect asymmetry has on the time required to perform one entangling attempt, the success probability of such attempts, and the fidelity of the entangled states created. This includes accounting for the effects of chromatic dispersion on photon indistinguishability. For quantum-repeater chains we numerically investigate how uneven spacing between repeater nodes leads to bottlenecks, thereby increasing both the waiting time and the time states are stored in noisy quantum memory. We find that while the time required to perform one entangling attempt may increase linearly with the midpoint's asymmetry, the success probability and fidelity of heralded entanglement generation and the distribution time and error rate for repeater chains all have vanishing first derivatives with respect to the amount of asymmetry. This suggests resilience of quantum-network performance against small amounts of asymmetry.

Quantum simulation provides a computationally-feasible approach to model and study many problems in chemistry, condensed-matter physics, or high-energy physics where quantum phenomenon define the systems behaviour. In high-energy physics, quite a few possible applications are investigated in the context of gauge theories and their application to dynamic problems, topological problems, high-baryon density configurations, or collective neutrino oscillations. In particular, schemes for simulating neutrino oscillations are proposed using a quantum walk framework. In this study, we approach the problem of simulating neutrino oscillation from the perspective of open quantum systems by treating the position space of quantum walk as environment. We have obtained the recurrence relation for Kraus operator which is used to represent the dynamics of the neutrino flavor change in the form of reduced coin states. We establish a connection between the dynamics of reduced coin state and neutrino phenomenology, enabling one to fix the simulation parameters for a given neutrino experiment and reduces the need for extended position space to simulate neutrino oscillations. We have also studied the behavior of linear entropy as a measure of entanglement between different flavors in the same framework.