Alastair Kay

Perfect transfer of arbitrary states in quantum spin networks

We propose a class of qubit networks that admit perfect state transfer of any two-dimensional quantum state in a fixed period of time. We further show that such networks can distribute arbitrary entangled states between two distant parties, and can, by using such systems in parallel, transmit the higher-dimensional systems states across the network. Unlike many other schemes for quantum computation and communication, these networks do not require qubit couplings to be switched on and off. When restricted to N-qubit spin networks of identical qubit couplings, we show that 2 log{sub 3}N is the maximal perfect communication distance for hypercube geometries. Moreover, if one allows fixed but different couplings between the qubits then perfect state transfer can be achieved over arbitrarily long distances in a linear chain. This paper expands and extends the work done by Christandl et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 187902 (2004)

Perfect, Efficent, State Transfer and its Application as a Constructive Tool

We review the subject of perfect state transfer — how one designs the (fixed) interactions of a chain of spins so that a quantum state, initially inserted on one end of the chain, is perfectly transferred to the opposite end in a fixed time. The perfect state transfer systems are then used as a constructive tool to design Hamiltonian implementations of other primitive protocols such as entanglement generation and signal amplification in measurements, before showing that, in fact, universal quantum computation can be implemented in this way.

Coherent quantum transport in photonic lattices

Transferring quantum states efficiently between distant nodes of an information processing circuit is of paramount importance for scalable quantum computing. We report on an observation of a perfect state transfer protocol on a lattice, thereby demonstrating the general concept of transporting arbitrary quantum information with high fidelity. Coherent transfer over 19 sites is realized by utilizing judiciously designed optical structures consisting of evanescently coupled waveguide elements. We provide unequivocal evidence that such an approach is applicable in the quantum regime, for both bosons and fermions, as well as in the classical limit. Our results illustrate the potential of the perfect state transfer protocol as a promising route towards integrated quantum computing on a chip.

Perfect state transfer: Beyond nearest-neighbor couplings

In this paper we build on the ideas presented in previous works for perfectly transferring a quantum state between opposite ends of a spin chain using a fixed Hamiltonian. While all previous studies have concentrated on nearest-neighbor couplings, we demonstrate how to incorporate additional terms in the Hamiltonian by solving an inverse eigenvalue problem. We also explore issues relating to the choice of the eigenvalue spectrum of the Hamiltonian, such as the tolerance to errors and the rate of information transfer.

Unifying quantum state transfer and state amplification.

We present a Hamiltonian that can be used for amplifying the signal from a quantum state, enabling the measurement of a macroscopic observable to determine the state of a single spin. We prove a general mapping between this Hamiltonian and an exchange Hamiltonian for arbitrary coupling strengths and local magnetic fields. This facilitates the use of existing schemes for perfect state transfer to give perfect amplification. We further prove a link between the evolution of this fixed Hamiltonian and classical Cellular Automata, thereby unifying previous approaches to this amplification task. Finally, we show how to use the new Hamiltonian for perfect state transfer in the, to date, unique scenario where total spin is not conserved during the evolution, and demonstrate that this yields a significantly different response in the presence of decoherence.

Reproducing spin lattice models in strongly coupled atom-cavity systems

In an array of coupled cavities where the cavities are doped with an atomic V-system, and the two excited levels couple to cavity photons of different polarizations, we show how to construct various spin models employed in characterizing phenomena in condensed matter physics, such as the spin-(1/2) Ising, XX, Heisenberg, and XXZ models. The ability to construct networks of arbitrary geometry also allows for the simulation of topological effects. By tuning the number of excitations present, the dimension of the spin to be simulated can be controlled, and mixtures of different spin types produced. The facility of single-site addressing, the use of only the natural hopping photon dynamics without external fields, and the recent experimental advances towards strong coupling, makes the prospect of using these arrays as efficient quantum simulators promising.

Effects of Reduced Measurement Independence on Bell-Based Randomness Expansion

Dax Enshan Koh, Michael J.W. Hall, Setiawan, James E. Pope, Chiara Marletto, Alastair Kay, 5 Valerio Scarani, 3 and Artur Ekert 4 Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543 Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (Australian Research Council), Centre for Quantum Dynamics, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117542 Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles’, OX1 3LB, UK Keble College, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PG, UK

Using separable Bell-diagonal states to distribute entanglement.

One of the many bizarre features of entanglement is that Alice, by sending a qubit to Bob in a separable state, can generate some entanglement between herself and Bob. This protocol is stripped down to the bare essentials to better elucidate the key properties of the initial resource state that enable this entanglement distribution. The necessary and sufficient conditions under which the correlations of a Bell-diagonal state serve as a useful resource are proven, giving upper and lower bounds on the entanglement that can be distributed when those conditions are met.

Geometric effects and computation in spin networks

When initially introduced, a Hamiltonian that realizes perfect transfer of a quantum state was found to be analogous to an x-rotation of a large spin. In this paper, we extend the analogy further to demonstrate geometric effects by performing rotations on the spin. Such effects can be used to determine properties of the chain, such as its length, in a robust manner. Alternatively, they can form the basis of a spin network quantum computer. We demonstrate a universal set of gates in such a system by both dynamical and geometrical means.

Decoherence-assisted transport in quantum networks

It is shown that energy transfer in a homogeneous fully connected quantum network is assisted by a decohering interaction with environmental spins. Analytic expressions for the transfer probabilities are obtained for the zero temperature case, and the effect is shown to persist at physiological temperatures. This model of decoherence-assisted energy transfer is applied to the Fenna-Matthews-Olson complex.