arXiv subjects

Rosario Lo Franco

Publications and source records attributed to Rosario Lo Franco.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Thermodynamics of a phaseonium-driven optomechanical Otto engine

We study an optomechanical Otto engine whose working medium is a single-mode cavity driven by beams of coherently prepared three-level phaseonium atoms. The atoms are not thermal reservoirs in the Gibbs sense; rather, their populations and ground-state coherence set the detailed-balance ratio of the cavity collision map, so that the field relaxes to a Gibbs state at an operational apparent temperature. We combine the finite-time collision-model dynamics with radiation-pressure work extraction and compare three reservoir preparations: a thermal reference at the same apparent temperatures, an incoherent atomic beam with the same populations, and the coherent phaseonium beam. We show that the phaseonium isochore charges the cavity passively: the cavity ergotropy and energy-basis coherence remain zero up to numerical precision, while the state converges to the Gibbs fixed point selected by the apparent detailed balance. We further estimate lower bounds on the cost of preparing the atomic populations and coherence, showing that the relevant advantage of phaseonium is a resource-preparation tradeoff rather than a cost-free enhancement over a thermal bath at the same temperature. Finally, we assess the finite-time performance of a two-cavity cascade with additive mechanical work accounting. Over the investigated coherence-phase range, the cascade produces approximately $47\%$--$52\%$ more power than the single-cavity engine while requiring only $65\%$--$68\%$ of the hot and cold phaseonium atoms needed by two independent engines, resulting in a $9\%$--$15\%$ enhancement of power per injected atom over a complete cycle.

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arXiv2026

Turing mechanisms in a multimode open quantum system

We investigate pattern formation in a finite chain of bosonic modes whose dynamics is governed by a Gorini-Kossakowski-Sudarshan-Lindblad (GKSL) master equation. The model combines local parametric driving and nonlinear damping with nonlocal dissipative couplings between modes that work on different discrete spatial scales. In the classical limit, these mechanisms generate a reaction-diffusion-like dynamics, allowing the emergence of Turing-type instabilities. The key aspect of the analysis is the coexistence and competition of different unstable spatial modes. Depending on the range of parameters, the system may select different stationary nonuniform configurations, oscillatory wave-like states, or regimes in which multiple modes interact before a dominant pattern is established, thus providing a mechanism for pattern selection. We compare the deterministic bifurcation scenario, generated by a reaction-diffusion-like system derived from semiclassical drift dynamics, with the quantum dynamics, derived via the GKSL master equation, using phase-space methods and reduced Wigner functions. The results show how Turing instabilities, mode competition, and pattern selection can be extended to multimode open quantum systems, providing a bridge between nonlinear dynamical systems, dissipative quantum mechanics, and spatial self-organization.

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arXiv2026

Quantum Circuit Generation via test-time learning with large language models

Deploying large language models (LLMs) as optimizers for black-box scientific design problems requires efficient test-time refinement under expensive evaluations and without training data. We propose a \emph{memory-augmented test-time optimization} framework that combines episodic memory of high-scoring candidates, score-difference feedback, and restart-from-best sampling to improve iterative search. We evaluate the approach on quantum circuit synthesis, where the objective is to maximize the Meyer--Wallach (MW) global entanglement measure under an exponentially expensive black-box oracle. On 20-qubit circuits, the framework achieves $Q(ψ)=0.99$ without feedback. On the more challenging 25-qubit task, feedback and restart mechanisms enable multiple runs to reach $Q(ψ)=1.0$ within 45 oracle calls, while a budget-matched random hill-climbing baseline stalls below $Q(ψ)\approx0.29$. These results demonstrate that memory and evaluator feedback substantially improve the sample efficiency of LLM-based black-box optimization and establish quantum circuit synthesis as a challenging benchmark for test-time optimization.

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arXiv2026

Simulating generic single-qubit open-dynamics via polarization-frequency coupling in a photonic interferometer

We propose a photonic platform for simulating arbitrary single-qubit open-system dynamics using a single photon in an open Mach-Zehnder interferometer. A birefringent quartz plate induces a coupling between the polarization and frequency degrees of freedom. By treating the latter as an effective environment, we analytically derive the reduced polarization dynamics. We show that the resulting evolution is characterized by a controllable interplay between populations and coherence, instead of the usual dephasing caused by quartz plates. By adjusting the photon frequency distribution and interferometric parameters, we demonstrate that target single-qubit states can be efficiently reproduced through a tunable optical protocol expected to work under accessible experimental conditions. The simulator is benchmarked against paradigmatic open-system evolutions, including depolarization and non-Markovian dynamics, achieving high accuracy. Our results establish polarization-frequency engineered photonic interferometers as a versatile protocol for simulation of open quantum systems.

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arXiv2026

Jaynes-Cummings dynamics in strong coupling for many-interacting-qubit quantum Rabi models

The present work focuses on the strong/weak interaction of many-body spin-systems with a cavity mode. It introduces the necessity of redefining the physical conditions determining the strong/weak coupling regime in those systems. In more complex systems, the effective coupling emerging from the collective dynamics may differ indeed from the actual coupling of each individual subsystem with the bosonic field. This is shown by highlighting some counter-intuitive dynamical effects properly related to the coupling regime: a Jaynes-Cummings dynamics emerging although a strong interaction is present. The universality of this result is demonstrated through the analysis of three distinct systems: a two-qubit, a two-qutrit, and an $N$-qubit chain quantum Rabi models.

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arXiv2026

A nonlinear quantum neural network framework for entanglement engineering

Multipartite entanglement is a crucial resource for quantum technologies; however, its scalable generation in noisy quantum devices remains a significant challenge. Here, we propose a low-depth quantum neural network architecture with linear scaling, employing a novel approach to introducing activation functions for entanglement engineering. As a testbed to demonstrate the clear advantage unlocked by the introduction of nonlinear activations, we run a Monte Carlo sampling over $10^5$ circuit topologies for pure noiseless states. Subsequently, we focus on the noisy scenario; we employ the experimentally accessible Meyer-Wallach global entanglement as a scalable surrogate optimization cost and certify entanglement via bipartite negativity. For 10-qubit mixed states, the optimized circuits generate substantial entanglement across the bipartitions. Lastly, the presence of genuine multipartite entanglement is certified with semi-definite programming. These result establish an experimentally motivated and scalable framework for engineering multipartite entanglement on near-term quantum devices, highlighting the combined role of nonlinearity and circuit topology scaling up to 20 qubits readily.

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arXiv2026

Tunneling of bosonic qubits under local dephasing through microscopic approach

We present a microscopic derivation of a master equation for two-component bosons (bosonic qubits) which tunnel between spatially separated modes under local dephasing noise. Starting from the full system-bath Hamiltonian with Lorentzian coupling distributions, we analytically obtain a time-local master equation whose structure reveals intrinsic non-Markovian features and recovers the standard phenomenological dephasing model in the short-time limit. Comparison with exact pseudomode simulations confirms its validity beyond weak-coupling and Markovian regimes. We identify a resonance condition between tunneling and bath frequencies for which dephasing drives the system towards correlated steady states, stabilizing coherence and entanglement instead of suppressing them. These results establish a rigorous microscopic foundation for dephasing models in bosonic tunneling systems and reveal a noise-induced mechanism for steady-state entanglement.

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arXiv2026

Gravitational Decoherence Estimation in Optomechanical Systems

We develop a comprehensive quantum estimation framework to quantify how precisely gravitationally induced decoherence can be inferred in optomechanical systems, using single-mode Gaussian probe states. Our approach combines a microscopic description of the gravitational diffusion mechanism with quantum Fisher information to determine the ultimate sensitivity achievable in principle. We show that gravitational diffusion leaves distinct, measurable signatures in the mechanical state, both during transient evolution and in the stationary regime. Finally, we identify how probe state preparation shapes the attainable precision, thereby establishing fundamental limits for detecting and estimating gravity-driven decoherence.

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arXiv2025

Efficient Estimation of Multiple Temperatures via a Collisional Model

We present a quantum thermometric protocol for the estimation of multiple temperatures within the collisional model framework. Employing the formalism of multiparameter quantum metrology, we develop a systematic strategy to estimate the temperatures of several thermal reservoirs with minimal estimation error. We prove a necessary and sufficient condition for the singularity of the Fisher information matrix for a bi-parametrized qubit state. By using controlled rotations of ancillary systems between successive interaction stages, we eliminate parameter interdependencies, thereby rendering the quantum Fisher information matrix non-singular. Remarkably, we demonstrate that precision enhancement in the joint estimation of multiple temperatures can be achieved even in the absence of correlations among the ancillas, surpassing the corresponding thermal Fisher information limits. Exploiting correlations within the ancillary system yields additional enhancement of Fisher information. Finally, we identify the dimensionality of the ancillary systems as a key factor governing the efficiency of multiparameter temperature estimation.

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arXiv2025

Anomalous heat flow and quantum Otto cycle with indefinite causal order

The principle that heat spontaneously flows from higher temperature to lower temperature is a cornerstone of classical thermodynamics, often assumed to be independent of the sequence of interactions. While this holds true for macroscopic systems at equilibrium, here we show that, when the order of interactions between two identical thermalization channels is indefinite, an anomalous heat flow emerges, whereby heat can sometime flow from a colder entity to a hotter one. Taking advantage of this anomalous heat flow, we design a quantum Otto cycle with indefinite causal order, which not only achieves refrigeration but also generates work. The anomalous heat flow and the quantum Otto cycle are experimentally simulated in a photonic quantum setup, which provides a proof-of-principle demonstration of the theory.

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arXiv2025

Preserving quantum coherence in thermal noisy systems via qubit frequency modulation

Quantum coherence is a key resource underpinning quantum technologies, yet it is highly susceptible to environmental decoherence, especially in thermal settings. While frequency modulation (FM) has shown promise in preserving coherence at zero temperature, its effectiveness in realistic, noisy thermal environments remains unclear. In this work, we investigate a single frequency-modulated qubit interacting with a thermal phase-covariant reservoir composed of dissipative and dephasing channels. We demonstrate that FM significantly preserves coherence in the presence of thermal dissipation while being ineffective under thermal pure-dephasing noise due to commutation between system and interaction Hamiltonians. When both noise channels are present, FM offers protection only for weak dephasing coupling. Our findings clarify the limitations and potential of FM-based coherence protection under thermal noise, supplying practical insights into designing robust quantum systems for quantum applications.

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arXiv2025

GAN decoder on a quantum toric code for noise-robust quantum teleportation

We propose a generative adversarial network (GAN)-based decoder for quantum topological codes and apply it to enhance a quantum teleportation protocol under depolarizing noise. By constructing and training the GAN's generator and discriminator networks using eigenvalue datasets from the code, we obtain a decoder with a significantly improved decoding pseudo-threshold. Simulation results show that our GAN decoder achieves a pseudo-threshold of approximately $p=0.2108$, estimated from the crossing point of logical error rate curves for code distances $d=3$ and $d=5$, nearly double that of a classical decoder under the same conditions ($p \approx 0.1099$). Moreover, at the same target logical error rate, the GAN decoder consistently achieves higher logical fidelity compared to the classical decoder. When applied to quantum teleportation, the protocol optimized using our decoder demonstrates enhanced fidelity across noise regimes. Specifically, for code distance $d=3$, fidelity improves within the depolarizing noise threshold range $P<0.06503$; for $d=5$, the range extends to $P<0.07512$. Moreover, with appropriate training, our GAN decoder can generalize to other error models. This work positions GANs as powerful tools for decoding in topological quantum error correction, offering a flexible and noise-resilient framework for fault-tolerant quantum information processing.

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arXiv2025

Steady-state coherence in multipartite quantum systems: its connection with thermodynamic quantities and impact on quantum thermal machines

Understanding how coherence of quantum systems affects thermodynamic quantities, such as work and heat, is essential for harnessing quantumness effectively in thermal quantum technologies. Here, we study the unique contributions of quantum coherence among different subsystems of a multipartite system, specifically in non-equilibrium steady states, to work and heat currents. Our system comprises two coupled ensembles, each consisting of $N$ particles, interacting with two baths of different temperatures, respectively. The particles in an ensemble interact with their bath either simultaneously or sequentially, leading to non-local dissipation and enabling the decomposition of work and heat currents into local and non-local components.We find that the non-local heat current, as well as both the local and non-local work currents,are linked to the system quantum coherence. We provide explicit expressions of coherence-related quantities that determine the work currents under various intrasystem interactions.Our scheme is versatile, capable of functioning as a refrigerator, an engine, and an accelerator, with its performance being highly sensitive to the configuration settings. These findings establish a connection between thermodynamic quantities and quantum coherence, supplying valuable insights for the design of quantum thermal machines.

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arXiv2025

Bilateral photon emission from a vibrating mirror and multiphoton entanglement generation

Entanglement plays a crucial role in the development of quantum-enabled devices. One significant objective is the deterministic creation and distribution of entangled states, achieved, for example, through a mechanical oscillator interacting with confined electromagnetic fields. In this study, we explore a cavity resonator containing a two-sided perfect mirror. Although the mirror separates the cavity modes into two independent confined electromagnetic fields, the radiation pressure interaction gives rise to high-order effective interactions across all subsystems. Depending on the chosen resonant conditions, which are also related to the position of the mirror, we study $2n$-photon entanglement generation and bilateral photon pair emission. Demonstrating the non-classical nature of the mechanical oscillator, we provide a pathway to control these phenomena, opening potential applications in quantum technologies. Looking ahead, similar integrated devices could be used to entangle subsystems across vastly different energy scales, such as microwave and optical photons.

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arXiv2025

Witnessing global memory effects of multiqubit correlated noisy channels by Hilbert-Schmidt speed

In correlated noisy channels, the global memory effects on the dynamics of a quantum system depend on both non-Markovianity of the single noisy channel (intrinsic memory) and classical correlations between multiple uses of the channel itself (correlation-based memory). We show that the Hilbert-Schmidt speed (HSS), a measure of non-Markovianity, serves as a reliable figure of merit for evaluating the role of this correlation-based memory on the global memory effects, for both unital and non-unital channels. The intensity of the correlation-based memory is ruled by a classical correlation strength between consecutive applications of the channel. We demonstrate that, for unital noisy channels, increasing the number of qubits of the system significantly weakens the sensitivity of the HSS to this classical correlation strength. Such a pattern indicates that the state evolution of large quantum systems may be less prone to be affected by classical correlations between noisy channels. Moreover, assuming the qubits are affected by independent or classically correlated local non-Markovian unital channels, we observe that, as the number of qubits increases, the collective behavior of the multiqubit system inhibits the non-Markovian features of the overall system dynamics.

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arXiv2024

Entanglement and Coherence Dynamics in Photonic Quantum Memristors

Memristive systems exhibit dynamics that depend on their past states, making them useful as memory units. Recently, quantum memristor models have been proposed and notably, a photonic quantum memristor (PQM) has been experimentally proven. In this work, we explore and characterize various quantum properties that emerge from this specific model of PQM. Firstly, we find that a single PQM displays memristive dynamics on its quantum coherence. Secondly, we analytically show that a network made of two independent PQMs can manifest memory effects on the dynamics of both entanglement and coherence of correlated photons traveling through the network, regardless of their distance, in the hypothesis of negligible external disturbances. Additionally, we build and run a circuit-model of the PQM on a real qubit-based quantum computer (IBM-Q), showing that: (i) this system can effectively be used for non-linear quantum computing under specific conditions, and (ii) digital quantum simulations can reproduce the dynamics of a memristive quantum system in a non-Markovian regime.

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arXiv2024

Generation of genuine multipartite entangled states via indistinguishability of identical particles

Indistinguishability of identical particles is a resource for quantum information processing and has been utilized to generate entanglement from independent particles that spatially overlap only at the detection stage. Here we provide a general controllable scheme capable of generating, from a pure product state of $N$ qubits, a comprehensive class of multipartite entangled states, including W, Dicke, GHZ, and cluster states with both bosonic and fermionic statistics within the framework of spatially localized operations and classical communication (sLOCC). Using graph-based representations of the sLOCC framework, we translate the generation schemes of specific entangled states into colored, complex, and weighted digraphs, each corresponding to a given experimental setup. This graph-theoretical approach allows for precise targeting of particular multipartite states, exploration of diverse generation schemes, and optimization of generation efficiency. Our results demonstrate that the indistinguishability of identical graph nodes in quantum networks offers useful perspectives for photonic technology.

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arXiv2024

Heating and cooling processes via phaseonium-driven dynamics of cascade systems

The search for strategies to harness the temperature of quantum systems is one of the main goals in quantum thermodynamics. Here we study the dynamics of a system made of a pair of quantum harmonic oscillators, represented by single-mode cavity fields, interacting with a thermally excited beam of phaseonium atoms, which act as ancillas. The two cavities are arranged in a cascade configuration, so that the second cavity interacts with phaseonium atoms only after their interaction with the first one. We provide exact closed dynamics of the first cavity for arbitrarily long interaction times. We highlight the role played by the characteristic coherence phase of phaseonium atoms in determining the steady states of the cavity fields as well as that of the ancillas. Also, we show how the second cavity follows a non-Markovian evolution due to interactions with the "used" ancillary atoms, that enables information exchange with the first cavity. Adjusting the parameters of the phaseonium atoms, we can determine the final stable temperature reached by the cavities. In this way, the cavities can be heated up as well as cooled down. These results provide useful insights towards the use of different types of ancillas for thermodynamic cycles in cavity QED scenarios.

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