We experimentally and theoretically investigate the quantum trajectories of jointly monitored transmon qubits embedded in spatially separated microwave cavities. Using nearly quantum-noiselimited superconducting amplifiers and an optimized setup to reduce signal loss between cavities, we can efficiently track measurement-induced entanglement generation as a continuous process for single realizations of the experiment. The quantum trajectories of transmon qubits naturally split into low and high entanglement classes corresponding to half-parity collapse. The distribution of concurrence is found at any given time and we explore the dynamics of entanglement creation in the state space. The distribution exhibits a sharp cut-off in the high concurrence limit, defining a maximal concurrence boundary. The most likely paths of the qubits‘ trajectories are also investigated, resulting in three probable paths, gradually projecting the system to two even subspaces and an odd subspace. We also investigate the most likely time for the individual trajectories to reach their most entangled state, and find that there are two solutions for the local maximum, corresponding to the low and high entanglement routes. The theoretical predictions show excellent agreement with the experimental entangled qubit trajectory data.
We present experimental results in which the unexpected zero-two transition of a circuit composed of two inductively coupled transmons is observed. This transition shows an unusualmagnetic flux dependence with a clear disappearance at zero magnetic flux. In a transmon qubit the symmetry of the wave functions prevents this transition to occur due to selection rule. In our circuit the Josephson effect introduces strong couplings between the two normal modes of the artificial atom. This leads to a coherent superposition of states from the two modes enabling such transitions to occur.
The creation of a quantum network requires the distribution of coherent information across macroscopic distances. We demonstrate the entanglement of two superconducting qubits, separatedby more than a meter of coaxial cable, by designing a joint measurement that probabilistically projects onto an entangled state. By using a continuous measurement scheme, we are further able to observe single quantum trajectories of the joint two-qubit state, confirming the validity of the quantum Bayesian formalism for a cascaded system. Our results allow us to resolve the dynamics of continuous projection onto the entangled manifold, in quantitative agreement with theory.
Superconducting circuits and microwave signals are good candidates to realize quantum networks, which are the backbone of quantum computers. We have realized a universal quantum nodebased on a 3D microwave superconducting cavity parametrically coupled to a transmission line by a Josephson ring modulator. We first demonstrate the time-controlled capture, storage and retrieval of an optimally shaped propagating microwave field, with an efficiency as high as 80 %. We then demonstrate a second essential ability, which is the timed-controlled generation of an entangled state distributed between the node and a microwave channel.
Making a system state follow a prescribed trajectory despite fluctuations and
errors commonly consists in monitoring an observable (temperature,
blood-glucose level…) and reactingon its controllers (heater power, insulin
amount …). In the quantum domain, there is a change of paradigm in feedback
since measurements modify the state of the system, most dramatically when the
trajectory goes through superpositions of measurement eigenstates. Here, we
demonstrate the stabilization of an arbitrary trajectory of a superconducting
qubit by measurement based feedback. The protocol benefits from the long
coherence time ($T_2>10 mu$s) of the 3D transmon qubit, the high efficiency
(82%) of the phase preserving Josephson amplifier, and fast electronics
ensuring less than 500 ns delay. At discrete time intervals, the state of the
qubit is measured and corrected in case an error is detected. For Rabi
oscillations, where the discrete measurements occur when the qubit is supposed
to be in the measurement pointer states, we demonstrate an average fidelity of
85% to the targeted trajectory. For Ramsey oscillations, which does not go
through pointer states, the average fidelity reaches 75%. Incidentally, we
demonstrate a fast reset protocol allowing to cool a 3D transmon qubit down to
0.6% in the excited state.
Using a superconducting circuit, the Josephson mixer, we demonstrate the
first experimental realization of spatially separated two-mode squeezed states
of microwave light. Driven bya pump tone, a first Josephson mixer generates,
out of quantum vacuum, a pair of entangled fields at different frequencies on
separate transmission lines. A second mixer, driven by a $pi$-phase shifted
copy of the first pump tone, recombines and disentangles the two fields. The
resulting output noise level is measured to be lower than for vacuum state at
the input of the second mixer, an unambiguous proof of entanglement. Moreover,
the output noise level provides a direct, quantitative measure of entanglement,
leading here to the demonstration of 6 Mebit.s$^{-1}$ (Mega entangled bits per
second) generated by the first mixer.