Engineering Reservoirs and Optimizing Response Function Measurements in Quantum Simulators and Computers

我们正处于量子计算机时代的黎明。这些新机器通过利用被称为纠缠的“幽灵”量子特性来执行计算。纠缠迫使量子系统以一种合作的方式做出反应（就好像它们是通过一个空灵的网络连接起来的），这使它们能够为计算提供强大的新方法。不幸的是，量子纠缠非常脆弱，因此管理它以实现这些进步是一项科学挑战。这项研究的重点是设计活跃量子元素（对应于被困在晶格中的离子的状态）和这些离子的抖动运动（由照射到离子上的激光控制）之间的纠缠。通过将离子的量子态与它们的抖动运动纠缠在一起，人们可以保护这种纠缠不被打破。当离子和它们的振动之间的纠缠完全形成时，它就可以被转移回离子并用于量子计算应用。此外，将研究如何测量量子系统对外力的响应，用于确定磁场或电场中复杂量子材料的测量结果。了解这种行为对于开发下一代电子设备至关重要。本研究属于油藏工程的一般范畴。离子阱量子模拟器是研究这种行为的理想平台，因为它们既有高质量的量子比特，又有精心控制的储层（由离子的振动给出）。通过故意设计量子比特和振动之间的纠缠，我们可以在计算的主要部分保护纠缠不受退相干的影响，然后在计算结束时通过将纠缠转移回量子比特来获取纠缠。其他计划中的研究包括使用Penning陷阱来创建量子擦除器，研究被困离子模拟器中的Kramers逃逸，以及确定如何最好地测量数字量子计算机对外部场的响应。拓展活动包括与本科生、高中生和公民科学家一起进行研究，以及开发一种新的量子力学教科书，这种教科书使用了最少的高等数学知识，但仍然保持了对材料的高水平处理。这本书将通俗易懂，内容全面。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

We are at the dawn of the age of quantum computers. These new machines perform computation by exploiting the "spooky" quantum property called entanglement. Entanglement forces quantum systems to respond in a cooperative fashion (as if they are connected by an ethereal web), which enables them to provide powerful new methodologies for computation. Unfortunately, quantum entanglement is very fragile, so managing it to enable these advances is a scientific challenge. This research focuses on engineering the entanglement between the active quantum elements (corresponding to states of ions trapped in a lattice) and the jiggling motion of those ions (that are controlled by lasers that shine onto the ions). By entangling the quantum states of the ions with their jiggling motion, one can protect the entanglement from being broken. When the entanglement has been fully developed between the ions and their vibrations, it can then be transferred back to the ions and used in quantum computing applications. In addition, research will be performed on determining how to measure the response of quantum systems to external forces which can be used to determine the results of measurements on complex quantum materials in magnetic or electric fields. Understanding this behavior is critical for developing the next generation of electronic devices. This research falls into the general field of reservoir engineering. Ion trap quantum simulators are ideal platforms for investigating such behavior because they have both high quality qubits and carefully controllable reservoirs (given by the vibrations of the ions). By deliberately engineering the entanglement between the qubits and the vibrations, one can actually protect the entanglement against decoherence during the main part of the computation and then harvest that entanglement at the end of the computation by transferring it back to the qubits. Additional planned research includes using the Penning trap to create a quantum eraser, investigating Kramers escape in a trapped ion simulator, and determining how to best measure the response of a digital quantum computer to an external field. Outreach activities involve both performing research with undergraduates, high school students, and citizen scientists and in developing a novel quantum mechanics textbook that employs a minimum of advanced math but still maintains a high level of treatment of the material. The book will be accessible and thorough.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.