arXiv subjects

W. Dür

Publications and source records attributed to W. Dür.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Noisy distributed sensing in the Bayesian regime

We consider non-local sensing of scalar signals with specific spatial dependence in the Bayesian regime. We design schemes that allow one to achieve optimal scaling and are immune to noise sources with a different spatial dependence than the signal. This is achieved by using a sensor array of spatially separated sensors and constructing a multi-dimensional decoherence free subspace. While in the Fisher regime with sharp prior and multiple measurements only the spectral range $Δ$ is important, in single-shot sensing with broad prior the number of available energy levels $L$ is crucial. We study the influence of $L$ and $Δ$ also in intermediate scenarios, and show that these quantities can be optimized separately in our setting. This provides us with a flexible scheme that can be adapted to different situations, and is by construction insensitive to given noise sources.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Scalable repeater architectures for multi-party states

The vision to develop quantum networks entails multi-user applications, which require the generation of long-distance multi-party entangled states. The current rapid experimental progress in building prototype-networks calls for new design concepts to guide future developments. Here we describe an experimentally feasible scheme implementing a two-dimensional repeater network for robust distribution of three-party entangled states of GHZ type in the presence of excitation losses and detector dark counts --- the main sources of errors in real-world hardware. Our approach is based on atomic or solid state ensembles and employs built-in error filtering mechanisms peculiar to intrinsically two-dimensional networks. This allows us to overcome the performance limitation of conventional one-dimensional ensemble-based networks distributing multi-party entangled states and provides an efficient design for future experiments with a clear perspective in terms of scalability.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

A quantum network stack and protocols for reliable entanglement-based networks

We present a stack model for breaking down the complexity of entanglement-based quantum networks. More specifically, we focus on the structures and architectures of quantum networks and not on concrete physical implementations of network elements. We construct the quantum network stack in a hierarchical manner comprising several layers, similar to the classical network stack, and identify quantum networking devices operating on each of these layers. The layers responsibilities range from establishing point-to-point connectivity, over intra-network graph state generation, to inter-network routing of entanglement. In addition we propose several protocols operating on these layers. In particular, we extend the existing intra-network protocols for generating arbitrary graph states to ensure reliability inside a quantum network, where here reliability refers to the capability to compensate for devices failures. Furthermore, we propose a routing protocol for quantum routers which enables to generate arbitrary graph states across network boundaries. This protocol, in correspondence with classical routing protocols, can compensate dynamically for failures of routers, or even complete networks, by simply re-routing the given entanglement over alternative paths. We also consider how to connect quantum routers in a hierarchical manner to reduce complexity, as well as reliability issues arising in connecting these quantum networking devices.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Simple proof of confidentiality for private quantum channels in noisy environments

Complete security proofs for quantum communication protocols can be notoriously involved, which convolutes their verification, and obfuscates the key physical insights the security finally relies on. In such cases, for the majority of the community, the utility of such proofs may be restricted. Here we provide a simple proof of confidentiality for parallel quantum channels established via entanglement distillation based on hashing, in the presence of noise, and a malicious eavesdropper who is restricted only by the laws of quantum mechanics. The direct contribution lies in improving the linear confidentiality levels of recurrence-type entanglement distillation protocols to exponential levels for hashing protocols. The proof directly exploits the security relevant physical properties: measurement-based quantum computation with resource states and the separation of Bell-pairs from an eavesdropper. The proof also holds for situations where Eve has full control over the input states, and obtains all information about the operations and noise applied by the parties. The resulting state after hashing is private, i.e., disentangled from the eavesdropper. Moreover, the noise regimes for entanglement distillation and confidentiality do not coincide: Confidentiality can be guaranteed even in situation where entanglement distillation fails. We extend our results to multiparty situations which are of special interest for secure quantum networks.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Device-independent detection of genuine multipartite entanglement for all pure states

We show that genuine multipartite entanglement of all multipartite pure states in arbitrary finite dimension can be detected in a device-independent way by employing bipartite Bell inequalities on states that are deterministically generated from the initial state via local operations. This leads to an efficient scheme for large classes of multipartite states that are relevant in quantum computation or condensed-matter physics, including cluster states and the ground state of the Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) model. For cluster states the detection of genuine multipartite entanglement involves only measurements on a constant number of systems with an overhead that scales linear with the system size, while for the AKLT model the overhead is polynomial. In all cases our approach shows robustness against experimental imperfections.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Modular architectures for quantum networks

We consider the problem of generating multipartite entangled states in a quantum network upon request. We follow a top-down approach, where the required entanglement is initially present in the network in form of network states shared between network devices, and then manipulated in such a way that the desired target state is generated. This minimizes generation times, and allows for network structures that are in principle independent of physical links. We present a modular and flexible architecture, where a multi-layer network consists of devices of varying complexity, including quantum network routers, switches and clients, that share certain resource states. We concentrate on the generation of graph states among clients, which are resources for numerous distributed quantum tasks. We assume minimal functionality for clients, i.e. they do not participate in the complex and distributed generation process of the target state. We present architectures based on shared multipartite entangled Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states of different size, and fully connected decorated graph states respectively. We compare the features of these architectures to an approach that is based on bipartite entanglement, and identify advantages of the multipartite approach in terms of memory requirements and complexity of state manipulation. The architectures can handle parallel requests, and are designed in such a way that the network state can be dynamically extended if new clients or devices join the network. For generation or dynamical extension of the network states, we propose a quantum network configuration protocol, where entanglement purification is used to establish high-fidelity states. The latter also allows one to show that the entanglement generated among clients is private, i.e. the network is secure.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Long-range big quantum-data transmission

We introduce an alternative type of quantum repeater for long-range quantum communication with improved scaling with the distance. We show that by employing hashing, a deterministic entanglement distillation protocol with one-way communication, one obtains a scalable scheme that allows one to reach arbitrary distances, with constant overhead in resources per repeater station, and ultrahigh rates. In practical terms, we show that also with moderate resources of a few hundred qubits at each repeater station, one can reach intercontinental distances. At the same time, a measurement-based implementation allows one to tolerate high loss, but also operational and memory errors of the order of several percent per qubit. This opens the way for long-distance communication of big quantum data.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Macroscopic superpositions require tremendous measurement devices

We consider fundamental limits on the detectable size of macroscopic quantum superpositions. We argue that a full quantum mechanical treatment of system plus measurement device is required, and that a (classical) reference frame for phase or direction needs to be established to certify the quantum state. When taking the size of such a classical reference frame into account, we show that to reliably distinguish a quantum superposition state from an incoherent mixture requires a measurement device that is quadratically bigger than the superposition state. Whereas for moderate system sizes such as generated in previous experiments this is not a stringent restriction, for macroscopic superpositions of the size of a cat the required effort quickly becomes intractable, requiring measurement devices of the size of the Earth. We illustrate our results using macroscopic superposition states of photons, spins, and position. Finally, we also show how this limitation can be circumvented by dealing with superpositions in relative degrees of freedom.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Quantum repeaters based on trapped ions with decoherence free subspace encoding

Quantum repeaters provide an efficient solution to distribute Bell pairs over arbitrarily long distances. While scalable architectures are demanding regarding the number of qubits that need to be controlled, here we present a quantum repeater scheme aiming to extend the range of present day quantum communications that could be implemented in the near future with trapped ions in cavities. We focus on an architecture where ion-photon entangled states are created locally and subsequently processed with linear optics to create elementary links of ion-ion entangled states. These links are then used to distribute entangled pairs over long distances using successive entanglement swapping operations performed deterministically using ion-ion gates. We show how this architecture can be implemented while encoding the qubits in a decoherence free subspace to protect them against collective dephasing. This results in a protocol that can be used to violate a Bell inequality over distances of about 800 km assuming state of the art parameters. We discuss how this could be improved to several thousand kilometers in future setups.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Two dimensional quantum repeaters

The endeavour to develop quantum networks gave rise to a rapidly developing field with far reaching applications such as secure communication and the realisation of distributed computing tasks. This ultimately calls for the creation of flexible multi-user structures that allow for quantum communication between arbitrary pairs of parties in the network and facilitate also multi-user applications. To address this challenge, we propose a 2D quantum repeater architecture to establish long-distance entanglement shared between multiple communication partners in the presence of channel noise and imperfect local control operations. The scheme is based on the creation of self-similar multi-qubit entanglement structures at growing scale, where variants of entanglement swapping and multi-party entanglement purification are combined to create high fidelity entangled states. We show how such networks can be implemented using trapped ions in cavities.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Improved sensing with a single qubit

We consider quantum metrology with arbitrary prior knowledge of the parameter. We demonstrate that a single sensing two-level system can act as a virtual multi-level system that offers increased sensitivity in a Bayesian, single-shot, metrology scenario and that allows one to estimate (arbitrary) large parameter values by avoiding phase wraps. This is achieved by making use of additional degrees of freedom or auxiliary systems not participating in the sensing process. The joint system is manipulated by intermediate control operations in such a way that an effective Hamiltonian, with an arbitrary spectrum, is generated that mimics the spectrum of a multi-level system interacting with the field. We show how to use additional internal degrees of freedom of a single trapped ion to achieve a high-sensitivity magnetic field sensor for fields with arbitrary prior.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Compressed quantum metrology for the Ising Hamiltonian

We show how quantum metrology protocols that seek to estimate the parameters of a Hamiltonian that exhibits a quantum phase transition can be efficiently simulated on an exponentially smaller quantum computer. Specifically, by exploiting the fact that the ground state of such a Hamiltonian changes drastically around its phase transition point, we construct a suitable observable from which one can estimate the relevant parameters of the Hamiltonian with Heisenberg scaling precision. We then show how, for the one-dimensional Ising Hamiltonian with transverse magnetic field acting on N spins, such a metrology protocol can be efficiently simulated on an exponentially smaller quantum computer while maintaining the same Heisenberg scaling, i.e., O(1/N^2) precision and derive the explicit circuit that accomplishes the simulation.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Dynamical decoupling leads to improved scaling in noisy quantum metrology

We consider the usage of dynamical decoupling in quantum metrology, where the joint evolution of system plus environment is described by a Hamiltonian. We demonstrate that by ultra-fast unitary control operations acting locally only on system qubits, essentially all kinds of noise can be eliminated. This is done in such a way that the desired evolution is reduced by at most a constant factor, leading to Heisenberg scaling. The only exception is noise that is generated by the Hamiltonian to be estimated itself. However, even for such parallel noise, one can achieve an improved scaling as compared to the standard quantum limit for any local noise by means of symmetrization.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Quantum metrology for the Ising Hamiltonian with transverse magnetic field

We consider quantum metrology for unitary evolutions generated by parameter-dependent Hamiltonians. We focus on the unitary evolutions generated by the Ising Hamiltonian that describes the dynamics of a one-dimensional chain of spins with nearest-neighbour interactions and in the pres- ence of a global, transverse, magnetic field. We analytically solve the problem and show that the precision with which one can estimate the magnetic field (interaction strength) given one knows the interaction strength (magnetic field) scales at the Heisenberg limit, and can be achieved by a linear superposition of the vacuum and N free fermion states. In addition, we show that GHZ-type states exhibit Heisenberg scaling in precision throughout the entire regime of parameters. Moreover, we numerically observe that the optimal precision using a product input state scales at the standard quantum limit.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Measurement-based Quantum Communication

We review and discuss the potential of using measurement-based elements in quantum communication schemes, where certain tasks are realized with the help of entangled resource states that are processed by measurements. We consider long-range quantum communication based on the transmission of encoded quantum states, where encoding, decoding and syndrome read-out are implemented using small-scale resource states. We also discuss entanglement-based schemes and consider measurement-based quantum repeaters. An important element in these schemes is entanglement purification, which can also be implemented in a measurement-based way. We analyze the influence of noise and imperfections in these schemes, and show that measurement-based implementation allows for very large error thresholds of the order of 10\% noise per qubit and more. We show how to obtain optimal resource states for different tasks, and discuss first experimental realizations of measurement-based quantum error correction using trapped ions and photons.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Deterministic superreplication of one-parameter unitary transformations

We show that one can deterministically generate out of $N$ copies of an unknown unitary operation up to $N^2$ almost perfect copies. The result holds for all operations generated by a Hamiltonian with an unknown interaction strength. This generalizes a similar result in the context of phase covariant cloning where, however, super-replication comes at the price of an exponentially reduced probability of success. We also show that multiple copies of unitary operations can be emulated by operations acting on a much smaller space, e.g., a magnetic field acting on a single $n$-level system allows one to emulate the action of the field on $n^2$ qubits.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Optimal quantum states for frequency estimation

We investigate different quantum parameter estimation scenarios in the presence of noise, and identify optimal probe states. For frequency estimation of local Hamiltonians with dephasing noise, we determine optimal probe states for up to 70 qubits, and determine their key properties. We find that the so-called one-axis twisted spin-squeezed states are only almost optimal, and that optimal states need not to be spin-squeezed. For different kinds of noise models, we investigate whether optimal states in the noiseless case remain superior to product states also in the presence of noise. For certain spatially and temporally correlated noise, we find that product states no longer allow one to reach the standard quantum limit in precision, while certain entangled states do. Our conclusions are based on numerical evidence using efficient numerical algorithms which we developed in order to treat permutational invariant systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Measurement-based implementation makes entanglement purification based on hashing practical

We investigate entanglement purification protocols based on hashing, where a large number of noisy entangled pairs is jointly processed to obtain a reduced number of perfect, noiseless copies. While hashing and breeding protocols are the only purification protocols that asymptotically obtain a nonzero yield, they are not applicable in a realistic scenario if local gates and measurements are imperfect. We show that such problems can be overcome by a compact measurement-based implementation, yielding entanglement purification schemes with nonzero yield that are applicable also in noisy scenarios, with tolerable noise per particle of several percent. We also generalize these findings to multiparty purification protocols for arbitrary graph states.

quant-ph↗