This paper proposes a scheme and design of a cryogenic multiplexing control chip (MCC), which enables one microwave cable to control many superconducting qubits. Designed based on an adjustable inductor, the MCC is a nonreciprocal device that generates microwave signals between 4 and 8 GHz and constructs a $XY$ control circuit to operate qubits. The effects of filters, isolators, power splitters, qubits, and load impedance on the MCC are analyzed in the frequency-domain simulation. And in the time-domain simulation, the response time, Gaussian pulses, single sideband, amplitude, and frequency compensation of the MCC are examined. The MCC can be integrated with the superconducting qubits on the same package at the 20-mK temperature stage with insertion loss of $-6$ dB and isolation of $-26$ dB. The time-domain simulation has revealed that the output specific microwave pulses of the MCC can be used for driving the superconducting qubits with crosstalk of about $-80$ dB. This is much less than $-40$ dB of the physical requirements on crosstalk, which can meet fidelity on single-qubit (99.92%) and two-qubit gates (99.40%). The power dissipation for each qubit control is less than 1 pW. The MCC can greatly reduce the number of microwave control lines and is beneficial to the development of a large-scale superconducting quantum processor.

Driven quantum nonlinear oscillators, while essential for quantum technologies, are generally prone to complex chaotic dynamics that fall beyond the reach of perturbative analysis. By focusing on subharmonic bifurcations of a harmonically driven oscillator, we provide a recipe for the choice of the oscillator’s parameters that ensures a regular dynamical behavior independently of the driving strength. We show that this suppression of chaotic phenomena is compatible with a strong quantum nonlinear effect reflected by the confinement rate in the degenerate manifold spanned by stable subharmonic orbits.

Understanding the profile of a qubit’s wave function is key to its quantum applications. Unlike conducting systems, where a scanning tunneling microscope can be used to probe the electron distribution, there is no direct method for solid-state-defect-based qubits in wide-band-gap semiconductors. In this work, we use pressure as a tuning method and a nuclear spin as an atomic scale probe to monitor the hyperfine structure of negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (N-$V$) centers in diamonds under pressure. We present a detailed study on the nearest-neighbor ${}^{13}\mathrm{C}$ hyperfine splitting in the optically detected magnetic resonance spectrum of N-$V$ centers at different pressures. By examining the ${}^{13}\mathrm{C}$ hyperfine interaction upon pressurizing, we show that the N-$V$ hyperfine parameters have prominent changes, resulting in an increase in the N-$V$ electron spin density and rehybridization from $s{p}^3$ to $s{p}^2$ bonds. The ab initio calculations of strain dependence of the N-$V$ center’s hyperfine levels are done independently. The theoretical results qualitatively agree well with experimental data without introducing any fitting parameters. Furthermore, this method can be adopted to probe the evolution of wave function in other defect systems. This potential capability could play a role in developing magnetometry and quantum information processing using the defect centers.

Quantum communication between remote superconducting systems is being studied intensively to increase the number of integrated superconducting qubits and to realize a distributed quantum computer. Since optical photons must be used for communication outside a dilution refrigerator, the direct conversion of microwave photons to optical photons has been widely investigated. However, the direct conversion approach suffers from added photon noise, heating due to a strong optical pump, and the requirement for large cooperativity. Instead, for quantum communication between superconducting qubits, we propose an entanglement distribution scheme using a solid-state spin quantum memory that works as an interface for both microwave and optical photons. The quantum memory enables quantum communication without significant heating inside the refrigerator, in contrast to schemes using high-power optical pumps. Moreover, introducing the quantum memory naturally makes it possible to herald entanglement and parallelization using multiple memories.

A recent major technological breakthrough in superconducting circuits is the realization of more than 50 qubits arranged on two-dimensional (2D) lattices with tunable nearest-neighbor couplings. We propose a protocol to generate Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states on 2D superconducting-qubit lattices by applying multiqubit controlled-$i$swap gates in parallel. The multiqubit gate can be naturally implemented based on an effective three-body interaction, which can be synthesized with appropriate detunings and coupling strengths between qubits. We simulate the preparation process of GHZ states with realistic parameters, and show a $37$-qubit GHZ state can be generated with a controlled-$i$swap depth of $3$. Our proposal provides a more promising method of generating GHZ states on the latest 2D superconducting-qubit architectures and will stimulate the preparation of multiqubit entangled states based on multiqubit gates.

We show how a pulse-level implementation of certain multiqubit gates allows for the simultaneous execution of single- and multiqubit gates acting on overlapping sets of qubits, in a mechanism we name absorption. With absorption as a foundation, we present an algorithm to schedule the execution of a quantum circuit as a pulse sequence on a neutral-atom quantum processor with a single channel for single- and multiqubit gate execution. For any quantum circuit of practical relevance, we observe that the algorithm results in an optimal utilization of the available resources that cannot be surpassed by a different scheduling strategy. Our benchmarks against a custom scheduler attempting to maximize parallelization at the gate level show the time gained by the pulse-level scheduler is proportional to the depth and is most pronounced for quantum circuits with fewer qubits. We finally illustrate how the concept of absorption can also be used in other architectures.

Enabling scalable and energy-efficient control of spin defects in solid-state media is desirable for realizing transformative quantum information technologies. Exploiting voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy, we report the coherent manipulation of nitrogen-vacancy ($\mathrm{N}$-V) centers by spatially confined magnetic stray fields produced by a proximate resonant magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). Remarkably, the coherent coupling between $\mathrm{N}$-V centers and the MTJ can be systematically controlled by a dc bias voltage, allowing for appreciable electrical tunability in the presented hybrid system. In comparison with current state-of-the-art techniques, the demonstrated $\mathrm{N}$-V-based quantum operational platform exhibits significant advantages in scalability, device compatibility, and energy efficiency, further expanding the role of $\mathrm{N}$-V centers in a broad range of quantum computing, sensing, and communications applications.

Quantum systems must be prepared, controlled, and measured with high fidelity in order to perform complex quantum algorithms. Control fidelities have greatly improved in silicon spin qubits but state-preparation and readout fidelities have generally been poor. By operating with low electron temperatures and employing high-bandwidth cryogenic amplifiers, we demonstrate single-qubit readout visibilities $>99\mathrm{\%}$, exceeding the threshold for quantum error correction. In the same device, we achieve average single-qubit control fidelities $>99.95\mathrm{\%}$. Our results show that silicon spin qubits can be operated with high overall operation fidelity.

The symmetrization postulate in quantum mechanics is formally reflected in the appearance of an exchange phase governing the symmetry of identical-particle global states under particle swapping. Many indirect measurements of this fundamental phase have been reported thus far, but a direct observation has been achieved only recently for photons. Here, we propose a general scheme capable of directly measuring the exchange phase of any type of particle (bosons, fermions, or anyons), exploiting the operational framework of spatially localized operations and classical communication. We experimentally implement it on an all-optical platform, providing a proof of principle for different simulated exchange phases. As a by-product, we supply a direct measurement of the real bosonic exchange phase of photons. Additionally, we analyze the performance of the proposed scheme when mixtures of particles of different nature are injected. Our results confirm the symmetrization tenet and provide a tool to explore it in various scenarios. Finally, we show that the proposed setup is suited to generating indistinguishability-driven $\mathrm{NOON}$ states useful for quantum-enhanced phase estimation.

Collective decision making is vital for recent information and communications technologies. In our previous research, we mathematically derived conflict-free joint decision making that optimally satisfies players’ probabilistic preference profiles. However, two problems exist regarding the optimal joint decision-making method. First, as the number of choices increases, the computational cost of calculating the optimal joint selection probability matrix explodes. Second, to derive the optimal joint selection probability matrix, all players must disclose their probabilistic preferences. Now, it is noteworthy that explicit calculation of the joint probability distribution is not necessarily needed; what is necessary for collective decisions is sampling. This study examines several sampling methods that converge to heuristic joint selection probability matrices that satisfy players’ preferences. We show that they can significantly reduce the above problems of computational cost and confidentiality. We analyze the probability distribution each of the sampling methods converges to, as well as the computational cost required and the confidentiality secured. In particular, we introduce two conflict-free joint sampling methods through the quantum interference of photons. The first system allows the players to hide their choices while satisfying the players’ preferences almost perfectly when they have the same preferences. The second system, where the physical nature of light replaces the expensive computational cost, also conceals their choices under the assumption that they have a trusted third party.

Superconducting microwave circuits with Josephson junctions, the major platform for quantum computing, can only reach the full capability when connected. This requires an efficient protocol to distribute microwave entanglement. While quantum computers typically use discrete-variable (DV) methods for information encoding, the entire continuous-variable (CV) degree of freedom in electromagnetic fields must be utilized to achieve the highest entanglement distribution rate. Here, we propose a hybrid protocol to resolve the incompatibility between DV microwave quantum computers and CV quantum communications. CV microwave entanglement is distributed using optical swapping of optical-microwave entanglement pairs. To interface with DV microwave quantum computers, we further design a hybrid circuit to simultaneously convert and distill high-quality DV entanglement from noisy CV entanglement. The hybrid circuit is trained with machine-learning algorithms, ensuring high entanglement fidelity and generation rate. Our work not only provides a practical method to realize efficient quantum links for superconducting microwave quantum computers, but also opens avenues to bridge the gap between DV and CV quantum systems.

The spectrally narrow, spin-dependent optical transitions of nitrogen-vacancy (N-$V$) center defects in diamond can be harnessed for quantum networking applications. Key to such networking schemes is the generation of indistinguishable photons. Two challenges limit scalability in such systems: defect-to-defect variations of the optical transition frequencies caused by local strain variation, and spectral diffusion of the optical frequencies on repeated measurement caused by photoexcitation of nearby charge traps. In this experimental study we undertake a group-theoretic approach to quantifying spectral diffusion and strain, decomposing each into components corresponding to Jahn-Teller symmetries of the N-$V$ center. We investigate correlations between the components of strain, spectral diffusion, and depth from the surface, finding that strain and spectral diffusion are each dominated by longitudinal perturbations. We also find a weak negative correlation between transverse static strain and total spectral diffusion, suggesting that transverse strain provides some degree of protection from spectral diffusion. Additionally, we find that spectral diffusion becomes more pronounced with increasing depth in the diamond bulk. Our symmetry-decomposed technique for quantifying spectral diffusion can be valuable for understanding how a given nanoscale charge trap environment influences spectral diffusion and for developing strategies of mitigation.

Deterministic generation of single photons is essential for many quantum information technologies. A bulk optical nonlinearity emitting a photon pair, where the measurement of one of the photons heralds the presence of the other, is commonly used with the caveat that the single-photon emission rate is constrained due to a trade-off between multiphoton events and pair emission rate. Using an efficient and low noise photon-number-resolving superconducting nanowire detector we herald, in real time, a single photon at telecommunication wavelength. We perform a second-order photon correlation $g^2(0)$ measurement of the signal mode conditioned on the measured photon number of the idler mode for various pump powers and demonstrate an improvement of a heralded single-photon source. We develop an analytical model using a phase-space formalism that encompasses all multiphoton effects and relevant imperfections, such as loss and multiple Schmidt modes. We perform a maximum-likelihood fit to test the agreement of the model to the data and extract the best-fit mean photon number $\mu$ of the pair source for each pump power. A maximum reduction of $0.118\pm 0.012$ in the photon $g^2(0)$ correlation function at $\mu =0.327\pm 0.007$ is obtained, indicating a strong suppression of multiphoton emissions. For a fixed $g^2(0)=7\times {10}^{-3}$, we increase the single pair generation probability by 25%. Our experiment, built using fiber-coupled and off-the-shelf components, delineates a path to engineering ideal sources of single photons.

We investigate the stimulated emission of superradiant atoms coupled to a waveguide induced by a coherent-state photon pulse. We provide an analytical result when a short $\pi$ pulse is incident, which shows that the atoms emit photons coherently into the output pulse, which remains a coherent state in the short pulse limit. An incident pulse is amplified in a phase-preserving manner, where noise is added almost entirely in the phase direction in phase space. This property improves the ratio of the intensity signal to noise after the amplification for sufficiently short pulses. This is a unique feature different from general phase-preserving linear amplifiers, where the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates in the amplification process. We also discuss the dependence of the photon-emission probability on pulse parameters, such as the pulse area and the duration.

Many precision laser applications require active frequency stabilization. However, such stabilization loops operate by pushing noise to frequencies outside their bandwidth, leading to large “servo bumps” that can have deleterious effects for certain applications. The prevailing approach to filtering this noise is to pass the laser through a high-finesse optical cavity, which places constraints on the system design. Here, we propose and demonstrate a different approach where a frequency error signal is derived from a beat note between the laser and the light that passes through the reference cavity. The phase noise derived from this beat note is fed forward to an electro-optic modulator after the laser, carefully accounting for relative delay, for real-time frequency correction. With a hertz-line-width laser, we show $\gtrsim 20\mathrm{dB}$ noise suppression at the peak of the servo bump (approximately $250\mathrm{kHz}$) and a noise-suppression bandwidth of approximately $5\mathrm{MHz}$—well beyond the servo bump. By simulating the Rabi dynamics of a two-level atom with our measured data, we demonstrate substantial improvements to the pulse fidelity over a wide range of Rabi frequencies. Our approach offers a simple and versatile method for obtaining a clean spectrum of a narrow-line-width laser, as required in many emerging applications of cold atoms, and is readily compatible with commercial systems that may even include wavelength conversion.

Hole spin qubits in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are promising candidates for quantum information processing due to their weak hyperfine coupling to nuclear spins, and to the strong spin-orbit coupling, which allows for rapid operation time. We propose a coherent control on two heavy-hole spin qubits in a double QD by a fast adiabatic driving protocol, which helps to achieve higher fidelities than other experimentally commonly used protocols as linear ramping, $\pi$ pulses or Landau-Zener passages. Using fast quasiadiabatic driving via spin-orbit coupling, it is possible to reduce charge noise significantly for qubit manipulation and achieve high robustness for the qubit initialization. We also implement one- and two-qubit gates, in particular, not, cnot, and swaplike gates, of hole spins in a double QD achieving fidelities above $99\mathrm{\%}$, exhibiting the capability of hole spins to implement universal gates for quantum computing.

The effectiveness and accuracy of parameter estimation are guarantees for the high-performance and high-safety operation of practical continuous-variable quantum key distribution systems. A scheme based on Bayesian estimation is proposed to tackle the fluctuations of channels. In free-space channel, the Bayesian random-effects model is employed to construct complete prior information, and the channel state information extracted through pilot signals is applied to rectify the prior information. Compressed sensing technology is applied due to the sparsity of the free-space channel to reduce the cost of the system. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme has higher estimation accuracy under the free space, and the system performance is also enhanced. Moreover, the results under fiber show higher estimation accuracy and better stability than that of traditional methods. In conclusion, the scheme can create practical conditions for the construction of future global quantum networks.