arXiv subjects

S. S. Straupe

Publications and source records attributed to S. S. Straupe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Perturbative photonic matrix-vector multiplication with reduced phase-shift range

Programmable photonic meshes provide a promising platform for analog matrix-vector multiplication, but their scalability is often limited by the large phase-shift ranges required in universal interferometer circuits. We introduce a perturbative programming method that operates the circuit near a fixed reference configuration and realizes the target transformation through interferometric subtraction, thereby reducing the required programmable phase excursion. We develop this approach for photonic matrix-vector multiplication architectures based on universal unitary meshes, and low-depth non-unitary constructions based on sums of unitaries. We identify favorable reference configurations through a local conditioning criterion, analyze the phase statistics obtained for random target matrices, and show that perturbative programming produces phase distribution shrinking as the matrix size increases. Identified reference point allows for the subtraction to be carried out electronically after detection, avoiding the interferometric subtraction loss. We further quantify the trade-off between reduced phase range and the intrinsic overhead introduced by the subtraction architecture, and show that for sufficiently lossy phase shifters the reduced phase range can compensate for this penalty. These results identify perturbative programming as a conditional but potentially useful route toward more scalable programmable photonic matrix processors.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Improving fermionic variational quantum eigensolvers with Majorana swap networks

Simulating computationally hard fermionic systems is a promising application of quantum computing. However, mapping nonlocal fermionic operators to qubits often produces deep circuits, rendering such simulations impractical on near-term hardware. We introduce two Majorana swap network compilation strategies for variational quantum eigensolvers that reduce circuit depth and two-qubit gate count. First, we develop a cyclic compilation algorithm that localizes all two-particle interaction terms in a general fermionic Hamiltonian containing up to $\mathcal{O}(M^4)$ such terms using only $\mathcal{O}(M^3)$ auxiliary Majorana-swap transpositions, where $M$ is the number of fermionic modes. Here, the cubic scaling refers to auxiliary routing; a complete UCCGSD ansatz still contains $\mathcal{O}(M^4)$ double-excitation rotations. Second, we design a Majorana swap network for the $k$-UpCCGSD variational ansatz, which is already more compact than UCCGSD. In this setting, our network yields constant-factor reductions of approximately $50$ % in circuit depth and $20$ % in two-qubit gate count under all-to-all connectivity. For the more restricted $2\times N$ connectivity, the reductions are larger --- about $55$ % in circuit depth an $40$ % in gate count. These structural improvements are accompanied by improved robustness in numerical noise simulations on the small molecular instances tested.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Single-photon-boosted type-I fusion gates

Fusion measurements are a key primitive for linear-optical quantum computing and quantum networks. Type-I and type-II fusion gates are widely used to combine small entangled resource states into larger photonic states, but without ancillary resources their success probability is limited to $1/2$. Existing $3/4$-efficient type-I schemes rely on entangled Bell-pair ancillary states, whose preparation is itself probabilistic and resource-intensive. Here we propose a boosted type-I fusion gate using only four ancillary single photons and standard linear-optical primitives. For multiqubit GHZ and graph states, the gate succeeds directly with probability $5/8$, while a distillation protocol converts partially entangled outcomes into additional successful events, raising the total success probability to $11/16$ after one stage and asymptotically to $3/4$. We quantify the practical advantage of this scheme by estimating the photonic resources required for generating representative large entangled photonic states and show that the proposed gate significantly reduces the required overhead compared with existing schemes. These results expand the set of resource-efficient linear-optical primitives and enable a substantial reduction in the resource requirements for scalable photonic quantum computing and quantum communication.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Control of eigenmode localization and coupling anisotropy by multiscan femtosecond laser writing

The multiscan method is widely used in femtosecond laser writing of waveguide systems to increase the refractive index contrast and to control the eigenmode shape. Here, we investigate multiscan writing with a constant effective writing speed and show that the displacement between adjacent scans provides an additional degree of freedom for controlling eigenmode confinement. By optimizing the multiscan parameters, the effective mode area can be reduced, enabling an up to eightfold increase in fabrication speed compared to conventional single-scan writing. We further demonstrate that careful tuning of the multiscan geometry substantially reduces the anisotropy of inter-waveguide coupling. These findings are applied to the fabrication of three-dimensional waveguide arrays operating at wavelengths of 808 nm and 1450 nm, where reduced coupling anisotropy is achieved. The proposed approach may be useful for three-dimensional waveguide arrays employed in topological photonics experiments, where low coupling anisotropy is desired.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Implementation of two-qubit Rydberg operations on neutral Rb-87 atoms in systems with different intermediate states

This work presents an experimental setup for implementing two-qubit operations on neutral atoms ($^{87}$Rb) with the possibility of using two different Rydberg excitation schemes. One of them uses 5P$_{1/2}$ as the intermediate level and applies the second-stage beam locally to the addressed atoms. The second scheme uses the 6P$_{3/2}$ level; in this scheme, the particles to be entangled are moved to a separate zone through which both Rydberg beams pass. The advantages and limitations of both schemes are analyzed. Based on numerical modeling performed with a Julia package developed by the authors, it is demonstrated that the spatial configuration has a greater effect on quantum-operation fidelity than the choice of intermediate level. An experimental implementation of the scheme using the 6P$_{3/2}$ level is demonstrated, making it possible to achieve a two-qubit operation fidelity of 94%.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Explicit Quantum Search Algorithm for the Densest k-Subgraph Problem

This paper addresses the problem of finding the densest $k$-vertex subgraph in an arbitrary graph. This problem is NP-hard and has important applications in social network analysis, fraud detection, recommendation systems, and bioinformatics. We propose two quantum approaches to solve this problem: reduction to Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) and using Grover's quantum search algorithm. For the latter approach, we present an explicit gate-based oracle circuit utilizing Dicke states and Quantum Fourier Transform for edge counting. Numerical simulations demonstrate a quadratic speedup over classical Brute-force search.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Addressable Rydberg excitation in arrays of single neutral atoms with a strongly focused flat-top beam

We present a method for generating a laser beam with flat intensity and phase profiles in the focal region where the beam interacts with neutral $^{87}$Rb atoms in an array of optical dipole traps. We synthesize the beam as a superposition of Hermite--Gaussian or Laguerre--Gaussian modes. Then we give analytical expressions for the coefficients of such a superposition, an analysis of beam propagation along the $z$ axis in the vicinity of the waist, and several other related theoretical issues. Rydberg two-qubit dynamics driven by this flat-top profile are analyzed through numerical solutions of the Lindblad master equation using our in-house Julia package. Beam preparation is demonstrated on a neutral-atom experimental platform. Measurements reveal a difference in the visibility of Rabi oscillations for addressed atoms compared with neighboring ones, confirming the effective spatial selectivity provided by the flat-top beam profile.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Native QR Factorization on Programmable Photonic Meshes

We propose a photonic native procedure for computing the QR factorization of a matrix using a programmable unitary interferometer mesh. The method configures the mesh through a sequence of local power routing steps within tunable two mode interferometric elements, while reading out the resulting upper triangular factor directly from the optical outputs. The number of physical operations grows as $ O(N\log_2N)$ with matrix size $N$, reducing the runtime relative to standard digital QR routines, which scale cubically ($O(N^3)$). Beyond single factorizations, the same architecture supports iterative spectral computations by reusing the configured interferometer in a mirrored arrangement that implements the core update step of the QR eigenvalue algorithm. We also describe related optical procedures for Hessenberg reduction and bidiagonalization, serving as compatible preprocessors for QR and SVD workflows. A comparison with the systolic array computational architecture is provided. Our approach exhibits comparable asymptotic complexity for blocked QR decomposition and is more efficient for Hessenberg reduction and bidiagonalization.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Entanglement-efficiency trade-offs in the fusion-based generation of photonic GHZ-like states

Probabilistic entangling measurements are key operations in linear-optical quantum technologies, enabling the generation and manipulation of high-dimensional quantum states. While prior research has focused predominantly on specific entangled states, notably graph states and Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states, broader classes of states with variable entanglement remain underexplored. In this work, we present a linear-optical approach for generating and fusing GHZ-like states, which generalize standard GHZ states to include variable entanglement degrees. We introduce two schemes based on modified fusion gates that allow flexible control over generation efficiency and the entanglement of the output states. These results offer a promising pathway toward resource-efficient entangled-state generation for scalable quantum computing and communication.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Universal low-depth two-unitary design of programmable photonic circuits

The development of large-scale, programmable photonic circuits capable of performing generic matrix-vector multiplication is essential for both classical and quantum information processing. However, this goal is hindered by high losses, hardware errors, and difficulties in programmability. We propose an enhanced architecture for programmable photonic circuits that minimizes circuit depth and offers analytical programmability, properties that have not been simultaneously achieved in previous circuit designs. Our proposal exploits a previously overlooked representation of general nonunitary matrices as sums of two unitaries. Furthermore, similar to the traditional singular value decomposition-based circuits, the circuits in our unitary-sum-based architecture inherit the advantages of the constituent unitary circuits. Overall, our proposal provides a significantly improved solution for matrix-vector multiplication compared to the established approaches.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

Spin vs. position conjugation in quantum simulations with atoms: application to quantum chemistry

The permutation symmetry is a fundamental attribute of the collective wavefunction of indistinguishable particles. It makes a difference for the behavior of collective systems having different quantum statistics but existing in the same environment. Here we show that for some specific quantum conjugation between the spin and spatial degrees of freedom the indistinguishable particles can behave similarly for either quantum statistics. In particular, a mesoscopically scaled collection of atomic qubits, mediated by optical tweezers, can model the behavior of a valent electronic shell compounded with nuclear centers in molecules. This makes possible quantum simulations of mono and divalent bonds in quantum chemistry by manipulation of up to four bosonic atoms confined with optical microtraps.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Optimization of the time-multiplexed SPDC source at 900-950 nm range

In the field of quantum technology, single photons have emerged as a pivotal resource, prompting the development of heralded single photon sources (HSPS) with enhanced generation probability. The majority of such sources are based on spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC), but they exhibit a low single photon generation probability. The multiplexing principle (arXiv:quant-ph/0205103) has been proposed as a solution to this problem. This paper presents a demonstration of a time-multiplexed HSPS based on the SPDC process, including accurate calculations and modeling of key source characteristics, specifically purity and heralding efficiency. Furthermore, the paper provides an analysis and approximation of the probability of a single photon post-application of time multiplexing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Noise-tolerant tomography of multimode linear optical interferometers with single photons

Linear optical networks are fundamental to the advancement of quantum technologies, including quantum computing, communication, and sensing. The accurate characterization of these networks, described by unitary matrices, is crucial to their effective utilization and scalability. In this work, we present the method for reconstructing the transfer matrix of a linear optical interferometer based on the analysis of cross-correlation functions of photon counts between pairs of output modes. Our approach accounts for losses and photon indistinguishability, making it robust to experimental imperfections. By minimizing the requirements for the input states, the method simplifies the experimental implementation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique through theoretical modeling and experimental validation in a 4-mode programmable integrated optical interferometer. The results show high fidelity in matrix reconstruction and successful application in boson sampling experiments. In addition, we provide a comprehensive formalism for correlation functions and discuss the robustness of the method to measurement errors. This work offers a practical and efficient solution for characterizing linear-optical networks, paving the way for scaling up photonic quantum technologies.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Quantum optical neural networks with programmable nonlinearities

Parametrized quantum circuits are essential components of variational quantum algorithms. Until now, optical implementations of these circuits have relied solely on adjustable linear optical units. In this study, we demonstrate that using programmable nonlinearities, rather than linear optics, offers a more efficient method for constructing quantum optical circuits -- especially quantum neural networks. This approach significantly reduces the number of adjustable parameters and the circuit depth needed to achieve high-fidelity operation. Specifically, we explored a quantum optical neural network (QONN) architecture composed of meshes of two-mode interferometers programmable by adjustable Kerr-like nonlinearities. We assessed the capabilities of our quantum optical neural network architecture and compared its performance to previously studied architectures that use multimode linear optics units. Additionally, we suggest future research directions for improving programmable quantum optical circuits.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Programmable entangled qubit states on a linear-optical platform

We present an experimental platform for linear-optical quantum information processing. Our setup utilizes multiphoton generation using a high-quality single-photon source, which is demultiplexed across multiple spatial channels, a custom-designed, programmable, low-loss photonic chip, and paired with high-efficiency single-photon detectors. We demonstrate the platform's capability in producing heralded arbitrary two-qubit dual-rail encoded states, a crucial building block for large-scale photonic quantum computers. The programmable chip was fully characterized through a calibration process that allowed us to create a numerical model accounting for fabrication imperfections and measurement errors. As a result, using on-chip quantum state tomography (QST), we achieved high-fidelity quantum state preparation, with a fidelity of 98.5\% specifically for the Bell state.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Low-depth, compact and error-tolerant photonic matrix-vector multiplication beyond the unitary group

Large-scale programmable photonic circuits are opening up new possibilities for information processing providing fast and energy-efficient means for matrix-vector multiplication. Here, we introduce a novel architecture of photonic circuits capable of implementing non-unitary transfer matrices, usually required by photonic neural networks, iterative equation solvers or quantum samplers. Our architecture exploits compact low-depth beam-splitter meshes rather than bulky fully connected mixing blocks used in previous designs, making it more compatible with planar integrated photonics technology. We have shown that photonic circuits designed with our architecture have lower depth than their standard counterparts and are extremely tolerant to hardware errors.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2024

Femtosecond laser written low-loss multiscan waveguides in fused silica

We report low-loss multiscan waveguides fabricated in fused silica using femtosecond laser writing technology. The multiscan principle allows to tailor the writing regime to excel at key features of any integrated photonic platform: coupling losses and propagation losses. We optimized the writing parameters for different sizes of square-shaped waveguides and reached the mode overlap value with a standard single-mode optical fiber of above 98.8\% and demonstrated very low coupling losses of 0.2 dB/facet on average. Propagation losses in the fabricated waveguides amounted to 0.07 dB/cm. We applied the developed recipe to the fabrication of a fiber-coupled 25-channel interferometer with total insertion losses below 1 dB. The findings of this work are of interest for broad range of applications and in particular for optical information processing and quantum photonics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2024

Error mitigated variational algorithm on a photonic processor

Our study demonstrates successful error mitigation of indistinguishability-related noise in a quantum photonic processor through the application of the zero-noise extrapolation technique. By measuring observable values at different error levels, we were able to extrapolate towards a noise-free regime. We examined the impact of partial distinguishability of photons in a two-qubit processor implementing the variational quantum eigensolver for a Schwinger Hamiltonian. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of the extrapolation technique in mitigating indistinguishability-related noise and improving the accuracy of Hamiltonian eigenvalue estimation.

quant-ph↗