Bosonic quantum error correction with microwave cavities for quantum repeaters
Phys. Rev. A 114, 012616 – Published 21 July, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/hkvx-rks6
Abstract
Long-distance quantum communication necessitates the use of quantum repeaters, which typically include highly coherent quantum memories. We provide a theoretical analysis of the secret key rates for a quantum repeater system incorporating bosonic error correction and memory components. Specifically, we focus on the application of binomial codes for two repeater segments. Using these codes, our investigation aims to suppress memory loss errors that commonly affect bosonic systems such as atomic gases, excitations of spin ensembles, and microwave cavities, in contrast to dephasing errors in single-spin memories. We further discuss a physical implementation of such a quantum repeater comprising a microwave cavity and a superconducting transmon, capable of state engineering with high fidelities () and logical Bell state measurements for successful entanglement swapping. As an alternative approach, we also discuss a realization in the all-optical domain.
