Establishing a complete set of gates across spatially separated quantum nodes is fundamental for distributed quantum computation and communication networks. One of the approaches todo so consists of employing a superconducting device as a universal quantum node that is capable of storing and processing quantum information, and traveling microwave photons as means of communication. In this work, we realize an entangling gate across a primitive two-node superconducting circuit QED network consisting of two dilution cryostats, A and B, connected via a 30-m-long cryogenic quantum link. We perform a bidirectional photon transfer protocol, where a microwave photon emitted by the communication qubit at A acquires a conditional phase based on the state of qubit B. We vary the communication photon frequency, hence tuning the conditional phase acquired during the reflection off the remote node, effectively implementing an arbitrary-phase CZ gate. We use this entangling operation to perform single-shot readout of the qubit in node B from node A. An interesting feature of our scheme is that it does not require precise synchronization of the active node with the remote node; in particular, remote readout can be performed without any active participation by the remote node. These protocols add to the quantum communication toolbox with superconducting circuits and provide a way of realizing basic distributed quantum computing operations.
The tunable interaction between stationary quantum bits and propagating modes of light allows for the encoding of quantum information in the state of itinerant photons. This abilityfulfills a central requirement for quantum networking, enabling quantum state transfer between distant quantum devices. Conventionally, a symmetric envelope of the photon wavepacket is used for such purposes. Yet, the use of alternative \textit{temporal modes} enables multiple applications in waveguide quantum electrodynamics that remain unexplored experimentally. Here, we use superconducting quantum circuits to generate individual itinerant microwave photons shaped in three mutually orthogonal temporal modes. We transfer the created photons across a 30-m cryogenic link, showing that the orthogonality allows us to decide at the receiver which mode to absorb, reflecting the other two with a selectivity ratio of 40. This experimental capability extends the microwave-frequency quantum communication toolbox, enabling a new photonic degree of freedom.
Self-testing protocols enable the certification of quantum systems in a device-independent manner, i.e. without knowledge of the inner workings of the quantum devices under test. Here,we demonstrate this high standard for characterization routines with superconducting circuits, a prime platform for building large-scale quantum computing systems. We first develop the missing theory allowing for the self-testing of Pauli measurements. We then self-test Bell pair generation and measurements at the same time, performing a complete self-test in a system composed of two entangled superconducting circuits operated at a separation of 30 meters. In an experiment based on 17 million trials, we measure an average CHSH (Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt) S-value of 2.236. Without relying on additional assumptions on the experimental setup, we certify an average Bell state fidelity of at least 58.9% and an average measurement fidelity of at least 89.5% in a device-independent manner, both with 99% confidence. This enables applications in the field of distributed quantum computing and communication with superconducting circuits, such as delegated quantum computing.