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Wen Zheng

Publications and source records attributed to Wen Zheng.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A scalable edge-pass Purcell filter for high-fidelity readout of superconducting qubits

High-fidelity readout with strong Purcell protection of qubit coherence is essential for scalable superconducting quantum processors, yet the finite passband and sizable footprint of conventional band-pass Purcell filters make them hard to scale. Here we introduce a scalable edge-pass Purcell filter that separates the readout band from the protected qubit band by a single transmission edge, freeing the readout resonators from bandwidth constraint. Depending on whether the transmitting band lies above or below the cutoff, the compact network is realized as a high-pass filter (HPF) or a low-pass filter (LPF). The HPF reaches an average readout fidelity of 99.46(4)% (up to 99.56%) with a 150-ns pulse, and the LPF reaches 99.49(3)% (up to 99.57%) with a 130-ns pulse. The average single-qubit gate fidelities are 99.94% (HPF) and 99.93% (LPF). Relative to the filter-free Purcell limit, the filters substantially extend the qubit lifetime, and the Purcell protection deepens at higher filter order. In addition, an intrinsic dissipation mode of the filter offers a qubit-reset channel. This leads to a compact architecture that unifies fast, high-fidelity readout, Purcell protection, and effective reset within a single filter for large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computation.

quant-ph

Efficient Implementation of a Single-Qutrit Gate Set via Coherent Control

Qutrits offer the potential for enhanced quantum computation by exploiting an enlarged Hilbert space. However, the synthesis of high-fidelity and fast qutrit gates, particularly for single qutrits, remains an ongoing challenge, as it involves overcoming intrinsic constraints in quantum platforms. Here, we develop a novel framework for the efficient implementation of a single-qutrit gate set via coherent control, leveraging SU(3) dynamics while obviating platform-specific constraints such as those arising from the selection rule. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, we realize 35-ns qutrit Hadamard and X gates using a superconducting transmon, achieving an average fidelity of 99.5\%, as verified by randomized benchmarking. We further demonstrate two paradigmatic quantum circuits, which can be naturally extended to scalable qudit algorithms for phase estimation and parity check. In addition, we propose an SU(3)-based decomposition strategy for an arbitrary single-qutrit gate and numerically demonstrate its substantial efficiency improvement over conventional SU(2)-based protocols. By addressing the challenge of efficiently implementing single-qutrit gates, our protocol paves the way for realizing high-performance qutrit processors in diverse quantum platforms.

quant-ph

Breaking the scalability barrier via a vertical tunable coupler in 3D integrated transmon system

Scaling superconducting quantum processors beyond the constraints of monolithic planar architectures is essential for fault-tolerant quantum computation. Here we demonstrate a three-dimensional (3D) integrated superconducting quantum processor in which two qubit chips are vertically stacked on opposing sides of a carrier chip and galvanically connected via multilayer flip-chip bonding. Intrachip qubit coupling is mediated by planar tunable couplers, whereas interchip coupling is enabled by vertical tunable couplers embedded in the carrier chip. Randomized benchmarking reveals simultaneous single-qubit gate fidelities of 99.87 % with negligible crosstalk, and controlled-Z gates achieve an average fidelity of 97.5 % for both intrachip and interchip operations. We further demonstrate high-fidelity Bell-state preparation and coherent generation of a four-qubit $W$ state, confirming the architecture's capability for interchip entanglement distribution. These results establish vertical coupling as a promising pathway toward scalable quantum processors compatible with advanced quantum error-correcting codes.

quant-ph

Switch-KD: Visual-Switch Knowledge Distillation for Vision-Language Models

Vision-Language Models (VLMs) have shown remarkable capabilities in joint vision-language understanding, but their large scale poses significant challenges for deployment in resource-constrained scenarios. Knowledge Distillation (KD) offers a viable way to improve model capabilities without increasing model size or data requirements, making deployment more efficient. However, applying KD to VLMs is challenged by modality-specific supervision: although multimodal knowledge in VLMs is fused within the language space, current methods supervise each modality separately without explicitly addressing multimodal alignment, leading to inconsistent multimodal knowledge transfer. To address this, we propose Switch-KD, a visual-switch distillation framework that unifies vision-language knowledge transfer within a shared text-probability space. Switch-KD comprises two key components: (1) Visual-Switch Distillation, which switches the student's visual outputs into the teacher's language pathway to construct cross-modal probabilistic references for implicit visual knowledge transfer; and (2) Dynamic Bi-directional Logits Difference (DBiLD) loss, which adaptively aligns informative probability regions while preserving the distributional structures of teacher and student through bidirectional supervision. Guided by Switch-KD, a 0.5B TinyLLaVA effectively distills rich multimodal knowledge from its 3B teacher, yielding an average improvement of 3.6 points across 10 multimodal benchmarks without any architectural modification.

cs.CV

SparkTales: Facilitating Cross-Language Collaborative Storytelling through Coordinator-AI Collaboration

Cross-language collaborative storytelling plays a vital role in children's language learning and cultural development, fostering both expressive ability and intercultural awareness. Yet, in practice, children's participation is often shallow, and facilitating such sessions places heavy cognitive and organizational burdens on coordinators, who must coordinate language support, maintain children's engagement, and navigate cultural differences. To address these challenges, we conducted a formative study with coordinators to identify their needs and pain points, which guided the design of SparkTales, an intelligent support system for cross-language collaborative storytelling. SparkTales leverages both individual and common characteristics of participating children to provide coordinators with story frameworks, diverse questions, and comprehension-oriented materials, aiming to reduce coordinators' workload while enhancing children's interactive engagement. Evaluation results show that SparkTales not only significantly increases coordinators' efficiency and quality of guidance but also improves children's participation, providing valuable insights for the design of future intelligent systems supporting cross-language collaboration.

cs.HC

A unitary vertex operator algebra arising from the 3C-algebra

We give an algebraic proof of the unitarity of the vertex operator algebra $L(21/22, 0)\oplus L(21/22, 8)$ and of all its irreducible ordinary modules, using a coset realization arising from the $3C$-algebra. Motivated by the structure of the resulting module decomposition, we establish a general result on fusion rules for commutant vertex operator subalgebras within the framework of modular tensor categories. As an application of this general result, we explicitly determine the fusion rules of all irreducible $L(21/22, 0)\oplus L(21/22, 8)$-modules.

math.QA

Demonstration of Discrete-Time Quantum Walks and Observation of Topological Edge States in a Superconducting Qutrit Chain

Quantum walk serves as a versatile tool for universal quantum computing and algorithmic research. However, the implementation of discrete-time quantum walks (DTQWs) with superconducting circuits is still constrained by some limitations such as operation precision, circuit depth and connectivity. With improved hardware efficiency by using superconducting qutrits (three-level systems), we experimentally demonstrate a scalable DTQW in a superconducting circuit, observing the ballistic spreading of quantum walk in a qutrit chain. The usage of qutrits in our implementation allows hardware efficiently encoding of the walker position and the coin degree of freedom. By exploiting the flexibility and intrinsic symmetries of qutrit-based DTQWs, we successfully prepare two topological phases in the chain. For the first time, particle-hole-symmetry-protected edge states, bounded at the interface between these two topological phases, are observed in the superconducting platform. Measured parameter dependencies further validate the properties of edge states. The scalability and gate-control compatibility of the demonstrated DTQWs enable a versatile tool for superconducting quantum computing and quantum simulation.

quant-ph

Information-Scrambling-Enhanced Quantum Sensing Beyond the Standard Quantum Limit

Quantum sensing promises measurement precision beyond classical limits, but its practical realization is often hindered by decoherence and the challenges of generating and stabilizing entanglement in large-scale systems. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a scalable, scrambling-enhanced quantum sensing protocol, referred to as butterfly metrology, implemented on a cross-shaped superconducting quantum processor. By harnessing quantum information scrambling, the protocol converts local interactions into delocalized metrologically useful correlations, enabling robust signal amplification through interference of the scrambled and polarized quantum states. We validate the time-reversal ability via Loschmidt echo measurements and quantify the information scrambling through out-of-time-ordered correlators, establishing the essential quantum resources of our protocol. Our measurements reveal that the sensing sensitivity surpasses the standard quantum limit (SQL) with increasing qubit number, reaching 3.78 in a 9-qubit configuration, compared to the SQL of 3.0. The scheme further exhibits inherent robustness to coherent control errors and probed signal noise. This work demonstrates a readily scalable path toward practical quantum sensing advantages with prevalent experimental platforms.

quant-ph

Tunable Hybrid-Mode Coupler Enabling Strong Interactions between Transmons at Centimeter-Scale Distance

The transmon, a fabrication-friendly superconducting qubit, remains a leading candidate for scalable quantum computing. Recent advances in tunable couplers have accelerated progress toward high-performance quantum processors. However, extending coherent interactions beyond millimeter scales to enhance quantum connectivity presents a critical challenge. Here, we introduce a hybrid-mode coupler exploiting resonator-transmon hybridization to simultaneously engineer the two lowest-frequency mode, enabling high-contrast coupling between centimeter-scale transmons. For a 1-cm coupler, our framework predicts flux-tunable $XX$ and $ZZ$ coupling strengths reaching 23 MHz and 100 MHz, with modulation contrasts exceeding $10^2$ and $10^4$, respectively, demonstrating quantitative agreement with an effective two-channel model. This work provides an efficient pathway to mitigate the inherent connectivity constraints imposed by short-range interactions, enabling transmon-based architectures compatible with hardware-efficient quantum tasks.

quant-ph

Variational quantum algorithms with invariant probabilistic error cancellation on noisy quantum processors

In the noisy intermediate-scale quantum era, emerging classical-quantum hybrid optimization algorithms, such as variational quantum algorithms (VQAs), can leverage the unique characteristics of quantum devices to accelerate computations tailored to specific problems with shallow circuits. However, these algorithms encounter biases and iteration difficulties due to significant noise in quantum processors. These difficulties can only be partially addressed without error correction by optimizing hardware, reducing circuit complexity, or fitting and extrapolation. A compelling solution is applying probabilistic error cancellation (PEC), a quantum error mitigation technique that enables unbiased results without full error correction. Traditional PEC is challenging to apply in VQAs due to its variance amplification, contradicting iterative process assumptions. This paper proposes a novel noise-adaptable strategy that combines PEC with the quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA). It is implemented through invariant sampling circuits (invariant-PEC, or IPEC) and substantially reduces iteration variance. This strategy marks the first successful integration of PEC and QAOA, resulting in efficient convergence. Moreover, we introduce adaptive partial PEC (APPEC), which modulates the error cancellation proportion of IPEC during iteration. We experimentally validated this technique on a superconducting quantum processor, cutting sampling cost by 90.1\%. Notably, we find that dynamic adjustments of error levels via APPEC can enhance escape from local minima and reduce sampling costs. These results open promising avenues for executing VQAs with large-scale, low-noise quantum circuits, paving the way for practical quantum computing advancements.

quant-ph

Long-Range $ZZ$ Interaction via Resonator-Induced Phase in Superconducting Qubits

Superconducting quantum computing emerges as one of leading candidates for achieving quantum advantage. However, a prevailing challenge is the coding overhead due to limited quantum connectivity, constrained by nearest-neighbor coupling among superconducting qubits. Here, we propose a novel multimode coupling scheme using three resonators driven by two microwaves, based on the resonator-induced phase gate, to extend the $ZZ$ interaction distance between qubits. We demonstrate a CZ gate fidelity exceeding 99.9\% within 160 ns at free spectral range (FSR) of 1.4 GHz, and by optimizing driving pulses, we further reduce the residual photon to nearly $10^{-3}$ within 100 ns at FSR of 0.2 GHz. These facilitate the long-range CZ gate over separations reaching sub-meters, thus significantly enhancing qubit connectivity and making a practical step towards the scalable integration and modularization of quantum processors. Specifically, our approach supports the implementation of quantum error correction codes requiring high connectivity, such as low-density parity check codes that paves the way to achieving fault-tolerant quantum computing.

quant-ph

Quantum voting machine encoded with microwave photons

We propose a simple quantum voting machine using microwave photon qubit encoding, based on a setup comprising multiple microwave cavities and a coupled superconducting flux qutrit. This approach primarily relies on a multi-control single-target quantum phase gate. The scheme offers operational simplicity, requiring only a single step, while ensuring verifiability through the measurement of a single qubit phase information to obtain the voting results. And it provides voter anonymity, as the voting outcome is solely tied to the total number of affirmative votes. Our quantum voting machine also has scalability in terms of the number of voters. Additionally, the physical realization of the quantum voting machine is general and not limited to circuit QED. Quantum voting machine can be implemented as long as the multi-control single-phase quantum phase gate is realized in other physical systems. Numerical simulations indicate the feasibility of this quantum voting machine within the current quantum technology.

quant-ph

Feature-prompting GBMSeg: One-Shot Reference Guided Training-Free Prompt Engineering for Glomerular Basement Membrane Segmentation

Assessment of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is crucial for diagnosing chronic kidney disease (CKD). The lack of domain-independent automatic segmentation tools for the GBM necessitates an AI-based solution to automate the process. In this study, we introduce GBMSeg, a training-free framework designed to automatically segment the GBM in TEM images guided only by a one-shot annotated reference. Specifically, GBMSeg first exploits the robust feature matching capabilities of the pretrained foundation model to generate initial prompt points, then introduces a series of novel automatic prompt engineering techniques across the feature and physical space to optimize the prompt scheme. Finally, GBMSeg employs a class-agnostic foundation segmentation model with the generated prompt scheme to obtain accurate segmentation results. Experimental results on our collected 2538 TEM images confirm that GBMSeg achieves superior segmentation performance with a Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 87.27% using only one labeled reference image in a training-free manner, outperforming recently proposed one-shot or few-shot methods. In summary, GBMSeg introduces a distinctive automatic prompt framework that facilitates robust domain-independent segmentation performance without training, particularly advancing the automatic prompting of foundation segmentation models for medical images. Future work involves automating the thickness measurement of segmented GBM and quantifying pathological indicators, holding significant potential for advancing pathology assessments in clinical applications. The source code is available on https://github.com/SnowRain510/GBMSeg

cs.CV

Exploring Parity Magnetic Effects through Experimental Simulation with Superconducting Qubits

We present the successful realization of four-dimensional (4D) semimetal bands featuring tensor monopoles, achieved using superconducting quantum circuits. Our experiment involves the creation of a highly tunable diamond energy diagram with four coupled transmons, and the parametric modulation of their tunable couplers, effectively mapping momentum space to parameter space. This approach enables us to establish a 4D Dirac-like Hamiltonian with fourfold degenerate points. Moreover, we manipulate the energy of tensor monopoles by introducing an additional pump microwave field, generating effective magnetic and pseudo-electric fields and simulating topological parity magnetic effects emerging from the parity anomaly. Utilizing non-adiabatic response methods, we measure the fractional second Chern number for a Dirac valley with a varying mass term, signifying a nontrivial topological phase transition connected to a 5D Yang monopole. Our work lays the foundation for further investigations into higher-dimensional topological states of matter and enriches our comprehension of topological phenomena.

quant-ph

Contextual Knowledge Learning For Dialogue Generation

Incorporating conversational context and knowledge into dialogue generation models has been essential for improving the quality of the generated responses. The context, comprising utterances from previous dialogue exchanges, is used as a source of content for response generation and as a means of selecting external knowledge. However, to avoid introducing irrelevant content, it is key to enable fine-grained scoring of context and knowledge. In this paper, we present a novel approach to context and knowledge weighting as an integral part of model training. We guide the model training through a Contextual Knowledge Learning (CKL) process which involves Latent Vectors for context and knowledge, respectively. CKL Latent Vectors capture the relationship between context, knowledge, and responses through weak supervision and enable differential weighting of context utterances and knowledge sentences during the training process. Experiments with two standard datasets and human evaluation demonstrate that CKL leads to a significant improvement compared with the performance of six strong baseline models and shows robustness with regard to reduced sizes of training sets.

cs.CL

Revisiting Long-tailed Image Classification: Survey and Benchmarks with New Evaluation Metrics

Recently, long-tailed image classification harvests lots of research attention, since the data distribution is long-tailed in many real-world situations. Piles of algorithms are devised to address the data imbalance problem by biasing the training process towards less frequent classes. However, they usually evaluate the performance on a balanced testing set or multiple independent testing sets having distinct distributions with the training data. Considering the testing data may have arbitrary distributions, existing evaluation strategies are unable to reflect the actual classification performance objectively. We set up novel evaluation benchmarks based on a series of testing sets with evolving distributions. A corpus of metrics are designed for measuring the accuracy, robustness, and bounds of algorithms for learning with long-tailed distribution. Based on our benchmarks, we re-evaluate the performance of existing methods on CIFAR10 and CIFAR100 datasets, which is valuable for guiding the selection of data rebalancing techniques. We also revisit existing methods and categorize them into four types including data balancing, feature balancing, loss balancing, and prediction balancing, according the focused procedure during the training pipeline.

cs.CV

Towards Generalizable Graph Contrastive Learning: An Information Theory Perspective

Graph contrastive learning (GCL) emerges as the most representative approach for graph representation learning, which leverages the principle of maximizing mutual information (InfoMax) to learn node representations applied in downstream tasks. To explore better generalization from GCL to downstream tasks, previous methods heuristically define data augmentation or pretext tasks. However, the generalization ability of GCL and its theoretical principle are still less reported. In this paper, we first propose a metric named GCL-GE for GCL generalization ability. Considering the intractability of the metric due to the agnostic downstream task, we theoretically prove a mutual information upper bound for it from an information-theoretic perspective. Guided by the bound, we design a GCL framework named InfoAdv with enhanced generalization ability, which jointly optimizes the generalization metric and InfoMax to strike the right balance between pretext task fitting and the generalization ability on downstream tasks. We empirically validate our theoretical findings on a number of representative benchmarks, and experimental results demonstrate that our model achieves state-of-the-art performance.

cs.LG