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Pieter Kok

Publications and source records attributed to Pieter Kok.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2016

The role of entanglement in calibrating optical quantum gyroscopes

We consider the calibration of an optical quantum gyroscope by modeling two Sagnac interferometers, mounted approximately at right angles to each other. Reliable operation requires that we know the angle between the interferometers with high precision, and we show that a procedure akin to multi-position testing in inertial navigation systems can be generalized to the case of quantum interferometry. We find that while entanglement is a key resource within an individual Sagnac interferometer, its presence between the interferometers is a far more complicated story. The optimum level of entanglement depends strongly on the sought parameter values, and small but significant improvements may be gained from choosing states with the optimal amount of entanglement between the interferometers.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2016

The effect of component variations on the gate fidelity in linear optical networks

We investigate the effect of variations in beam splitter transmissions and path length differences in the nonlinear sign gate that is used for linear optical quantum computing. We identify two implementations of the gate, and show that the sensitivity to variations in their components differs significantly between them. Therefore, circuits that require a precision implementation may benefit from additional circuit analysis of component variations to identify the most practical implementation. We suggest possible routes to efficient circuit analysis in terms of quantum parameter estimation.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2016

Photonic Quantum Information Processing

Information processing with light is ubiquitous, from communication, metrology and imaging to computing. When we consider light as a quantum mechanical object, new ways of information processing become possible. In this review I give an overview how quantum information processing can be implemented with single photons, and what hurdles still need to be overcome to implement the various applications in practice. I will place special emphasis on the quantum mechanical properties of light that make it different from classical light, and how these properties relate to quantum information processing tasks.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2016

Towards universal quantum computation through relativistic motion

We show how to use relativistic motion and local phase shifts to generate continuous variable Gaussian cluster states within cavity modes. Our results can be demonstrated experimentally using superconducting circuits where tuneable boundary conditions correspond to mirrors moving with velocities close to the speed of light. In particular, we propose the generation of a quadripartite square cluster state as a first example that can be readily implemented in the laboratory. Since cluster states are universal resources for universal one-way quantum computation, our results pave the way for relativistic quantum computation schemes.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2015

Precision Estimation of Source Dimensions from Higher-Order Intensity Correlations

An important topic of interest in imaging is the construction of protocols that are not diffraction limited. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, including classical superresolution techniques or quantum entanglement-based protocols. Here, we consider superresolving imaging in the far field using higher-order intensity correlations. We show that third and fourth order correlations can improve upon the first and second order correlations that are traditionally used in classical optics and Hanbury Brown and Twiss type experiments. The improvement is achieved entirely by post-processing of the data. As a demonstrator, we simulate the far field intensity distribution of a circular aperture that emits thermal light and use maximum likelihood estimation to determine the radius of the aperture. We compare the achieved precision to the Cramér-Rao lower bound and find that the variance of measurements for the third and fourth order correlation functions are indeed closer to the Cramér-Rao bound than that of the second order correlation function. The method presented here is general, and can be used for all kinds of incoherent emitters, geometries, and types of noise.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2014

Unitary evolution and the distinguishability of quantum states

The study of quantum systems evolving from initial states to distinguishable, orthogonal final states is important for information processing applications such as quantum computing and quantum metrology. However, for most unitary evolutions and initial states the system does not evolve to an orthogonal quantum state. Here, we ask what proportion of quantum states evolves to nearly orthogonal systems as a function of the dimensionality of the Hilbert space of the system, and numerically study the evolution of quantum states in low-dimensional Hilbert spaces. We find that, as well as the speed of dynamical evolution, the level of maximum distinguishability depends critically on the Hamiltonian of the system.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2013

Parameter estimation using NOON states over a relativistic quantum channel

We study the effect of the acceleration of the observer on a parameter estimation protocol using NOON states. An inertial observer, Alice, prepares a NOON state in Unruh modes of the quantum field, and sends it to an accelerated observer, Rob. We calculate the quantum Fisher information of the state received by Rob. We find the counter-intuitive result that the single rail encoding outperforms the dual rail. The NOON states have an optimal $N$ for the maximum information extractable by Rob, given his acceleration. This optimal $N$ decreases with increasing acceleration.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2013

A new introductory quantum mechanics curriculum

The Institute of Physics New Quantum Curriculum consists of freely available online learning and teaching materials (quantumphysics.iop.org) for a first course in university quantum mechanics starting from two-level systems. This approach immediately immerses students in inherently quantum mechanical aspects by focusing on experiments that have no classical explanation. It allows from the start a discussion of interpretive aspects of quantum mechanics and quantum information theory. This article gives an overview of the resources available at the IOP website. The core text is presented as around 80 articles co-authored by leading experts that are arranged in themes and can be used flexibly to provide a range of alternative approaches. Many of the articles include interactive simulations with accompanying activities and problem sets that can be explored by students to enhance their understanding. Much of the linear algebra needed for this approach is part of the resource. Solutions to activities are available to instructors. The resources can be used in a variety of ways from supplements to existing courses to a complete programme.

physics.ed-ph↗
arXiv2013

Cluster state generation with ageing qubits

Cluster states for measurement-based quantum computing can be created with entangling operations of arbitrary low success probability. This will place a lower bound on the minimum lifetime of the qubits used in the implementation. Here, we present a simple scaling argument for the T2 time of the qubits for various cluster state geometries, and we estimate the size of the qubit reservoir that is needed for the creation of mini-clusters.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2012

Fundamental Limits of Classical and Quantum Imaging

Quantum imaging promises increased imaging performance over classical protocols. However, there are a number of aspects of quantum imaging that are not well understood. In particular, it has so far been unknown how to compare classical and quantum imaging procedures. Here, we consider classical and quantum imaging in a single theoretical framework and present general fundamental limits on the resolution and the deposition rate for classical and quantum imaging. The resolution can be estimated from the image itself. We present a utility function that allows us to compare imaging protocols in a wide range of applications.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2012

Super-resolving multi-photon interferences with independent light sources

We propose to use multi-photon interferences from statistically independent light sources in combination with linear optical detection techniques to enhance the resolution in imaging. Experimental results with up to five independent thermal light sources confirm this approach to improve the spatial resolution. Since no involved quantum state preparation or detection is required the experiment can be considered an extension of the Hanbury Brown and Twiss experiment for spatial intensity correlations of order N>2.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2012

Information gap for classical and quantum communication in a Schwarzschild spacetime

Communication between a free-falling observer and an observer hovering above the Schwarzschild horizon of a black hole suffers from Unruh-Hawking noise, which degrades communication channels. Ignoring time dilation, which affects all channels equally, we show that for bosonic communication using single and dual rail encoding the classical channel capacity reaches a finite value and the quantum coherent information tends to zero. We conclude that classical correlations still exist at infinite acceleration, whereas the quantum coherence is fully removed.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2012

Ultimate limits to quantum metrology and the meaning of the Heisenberg limit

For the last 20 years, the question of what are the fundamental capabilities of quantum precision measurements has sparked a lively debate throughout the scientific community. Typically, the ultimate limits in quantum metrology are associated with the notion of the Heisenberg limit expressed in terms of the physical resources used in the measurement procedure. Over the years, a variety of different physical resources were introduced, leading to a confusion about the meaning of the Heisenberg limit. Here, we review the mainstream definitions of the relevant resources and introduce the universal resource count, that is, the expectation value of the generator (above its ground state) of translations in the parameter we wish to estimate, that applies to all measurement strategies. This leads to the ultimate formulation of the Heisenberg limit for quantum metrology. We prove that the new limit holds for the generators of translations with an upper-bounded spectrum.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2010

General optimality of the Heisenberg limit for quantum metrology

Quantum metrology promises improved sensitivity in parameter estimation over classical procedures. However, there is an extensive debate over the question how the sensitivity scales with the resources (such as the average photon number) and number of queries that are used in estimation procedures. Here, we reconcile the physical definition of the relevant resources used in parameter estimation with the information-theoretical scaling in terms of the query complexity of a quantum network. This leads to a completely general optimality proof of the Heisenberg limit for quantum metrology. We give an example how our proof resolves paradoxes that suggest sensitivities beyond the Heisenberg limit, and we show that the Heisenberg limit is an information-theoretic interpretation of the Margolus-Levitin bound, rather than Heisenberg's uncertainty relation.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2010

Unifying parameter estimation and the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm for continuous variables

We reveal a close relationship between quantum metrology and the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm on continuous variable quantum systems. We develop a general procedure, characterized by two parameters, that unifies parameter estimation and the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm. Depending on which parameter we keep constant, the procedure implements either the parameter estimation protocol or the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm. The parameter estimation part of the procedure attains the Heisenberg limit and is therefore optimal. Due to the use of approximate normalizable continuous variable eigenstates the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm is probabilistic. The procedure estimates a value of an unknown parameter and solves the Deutsch-Jozsa problem without the use of any entanglement.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2010

What is a quantum computer, and how do we build one?

The DiVincenzo criteria for implementing a quantum computer have been seminal in focussing both experimental and theoretical research in quantum information processing. These criteria were formulated specifically for the circuit model of quantum computing. However, several new models for quantum computing (paradigms) have been proposed that do not seem to fit the criteria well. The question is therefore what are the general criteria for implementing quantum computers. To this end, a formal operational definition of a quantum computer is introduced. It is then shown that according to this definition a device is a quantum computer if it obeys the following four criteria: Any quantum computer must (1) have a quantum memory; (2) facilitate a controlled quantum evolution of the quantum memory; (3) include a method for cooling the quantum memory; and (4) provide a readout mechanism for subsets of the quantum memory. The criteria are met when the device is scalable and operates fault-tolerantly. We discuss various existing quantum computing paradigms, and how they fit within this framework. Finally, we lay out a roadmap for selecting an avenue towards building a quantum computer. This is summarized in a decision tree intended to help experimentalists determine the most natural paradigm given a particular physical implementation.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2010

Geometric derivation of the quantum speed limit

The Mandelstam-Tamm and Margolus-Levitin inequalities play an important role in the study of quantum mechanical processes in Nature, since they provide general limits on the speed of dynamical evolution. However, to date there has been only one derivation of the Margolus-Levitin inequality. In this paper, alternative geometric derivations for both inequalities are obtained from the statistical distance between quantum states. The inequalities are shown to hold for unitary evolution of pure and mixed states, and a counterexample to the inequalities is given for evolution described by completely positive trace-preserving maps. The counterexample shows that there is no quantum speed limit for non-unitary evolution.

quant-ph↗