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“幽灵般的”量子特性来执行计算。纠缠迫使量子系统以合作的方式做出响应（就好像它们被以太网连接起来一样），这使它们能够提供强大的新计算方法。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。这项研究的重点是工程化激活量子元素（对应于被困在晶格中的离子状态）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。通过使离子的量子态与它们的抖动运动纠缠，可以保护纠缠不被打破。当离子和它们的振动之间的纠缠充分发展时，它可以被转移回离子并用于量子计算应用。此外，还将研究如何测量量子系统对外力的响应，这些外力可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。本研究属于油气藏工程的一般研究领域，属于福尔斯研究范畴。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，又有精心控制的储存库（由离子的振动给出）。 通过故意设计量子位和振动之间的纠缠，实际上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其转移回量子位来收获纠缠。其他计划中的研究包括使用Penning陷阱创建量子擦除器，在捕获离子模拟器中研究Kramers逃逸，以及确定如何最好地测量数字量子计算机对外场的响应。外联活动涉及与本科生，高中生和公民科学家进行研究，并开发一种新颖的量子力学教科书，采用最低限度的高等数学，但仍然保持高水平的材料处理。这本书将是可访问的和彻底的。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准的评估支持。

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.