Observation of Topological Links Associated with Hopf Insulators in a Solid-State Quantum Simulator

Hopf insulators are intriguing three-dimensional topological insulators characterized by an integer topological invariant. They originate from the mathematical theory of Hopf fibration and epitomize the deep connection between knot theory and topological phases of matter, which distinguishes them from other classes of topological insulators. Here, we implement a model Hamiltonian for Hopf insulators in a solid-state quantum simulator and report the first experimental observation of their topological properties, including nontrivial topological links associated with the Hopf fibration and the integer-valued topological invariant obtained from a direct tomographic measurement. Our observation of topological links and Hopf fibration in a quantum simulator opens the door to probe rich topological properties of Hopf insulators in experiments. The quantum simulation and probing methods are also applicable to the study of other intricate three-dimensional topological model Hamiltonians.

Approximate constructions of counterdiabatic driving with NMR quantum systems

Counterdiabatic driving (CD) offers a fast and robust route to manipulate quantum systems, which has widespreadapplications in quantum technologies. However, for higher-dimensional complex systems, the exact CD term involving thespectral properties of the system is difficult to calculate and generally takes a complicated form, impeding its experimentalrealization. Recently, many approximate methods have been proposed for designing CD passages in many-body systems. Inthis topical review, we focus on the CD formalism and briefly introduce several experimental constructions and applicationsof approximate CD driving in spin-chain models with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) systems.

A nonlocal quantum simulator and simulation of superluminality

With the support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS),the research team led by Prof.Li Chuanfeng(李传锋)at the CAS Key Lab of Quantum Information,University of Science and Technology of China,developed a nonlocal quantum simulator and simulated the superluminality phenomenon in parity-time(PT)world.This study for the first time exhib-

Experimental simulation of the Unruh effect on an NMR quantum simulator

The Unruh effect is one of the most fundamental manifestations of the fact that the particle content of a field theory is observer dependent. However, there has been so far no experimental verification of this effect, as the associated temperatures lie far below any observable threshold. Recently, physical phenomena, which are of great experimental challenge, have been investigated by quantum simulations in various fields. Here we perform a proof-of-principle simulation of the evolution of ferrnionic modes under the Unruh effect with a nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） quantum simulator. By the quantum simulator, we experimentally demonstrate the behavior of Unruh temperature with acceleration, and we fiarther investigate the quantum correlations quantified by quantum discord between two fermionic modes as seen by two relatively accelerated observers. It is shown that the quantum correlations can be created by the Unrtfia effect from the classically correlated states. Our work may provide a promising way to explore the quantum physics of accelerated systems.

Variational quantum simulation of thermal statistical states on a superconducting quantum processer

Quantum computers promise to solve finite-temperature properties of quantum many-body systems,which is generally challenging for classical computers due to high computational complexities.Here,we report experimental preparations of Gibbs states and excited states of Heisenberg X X and X X Z models by using a 5-qubit programmable superconducting processor.In the experiments,we apply a hybrid quantum–classical algorithm to generate finite temperature states with classical probability models and variational quantum circuits.We reveal that the Hamiltonians can be fully diagonalized with optimized quantum circuits,which enable us to prepare excited states at arbitrary energy density.We demonstrate that the approach has a self-verifying feature and can estimate fundamental thermal observables with a small statistical error.Based on numerical results,we further show that the time complexity of our approach scales polynomially in the number of qubits,revealing its potential in solving large-scale problems.

Variational quantum simulation of the quantum critical regime

The quantum critical regime marks a zone in the phase diagram where quantum fluctuation around the critical point plays a significant role at finite temperatures.While it is of great physical interest,simulation of the quantum critical regime can be difficult on a classical computer due to its intrinsic complexity.Herein,we propose a variational approach,which minimizes the variational free energy,to simulate and locate the quantum critical regime on a quantum computer.The variational quantum algorithm adopts an ansatz by performing an unitary operator on a product of a single-qubit mixed state,in which the entropy can be analytically obtained from the initial state,and thus the free energy can be accessed conveniently.With numeral simulation,using the one-dimensional Kitaev model as a demonstration we show that the quantum critical regime can be identified by accurately evaluating the temperature crossover line.Moreover,the dependencies of both the correlation length and the phase coherence time with temperature are evaluated for the thermal states.Our work suggests a practical way as well as a first step for investigating quantum critical systems at finite temperatures on quantum devices with few qubits.

A concise review of Rydberg atom based quantum computation and quantum simulation

Quantum information processing based on Rydberg atoms emerged as a promising direction two decades ago.Recent experimental and theoretical progresses have shined exciting light on this avenue.In this concise review,we will briefly introduce the basics of Rydberg atoms and their recent applications in associated areas of neutral atom quantum computation and simulation.We shall also include related discussions on quantum optics with Rydberg atomic ensembles,which are increasingly used to explore quantum computation and quantum simulation with photons.

Selected topics of quantum computing for nuclear physics

Nuclear physics,whose underling theory is described by quantum gauge field coupled with matter,is fundamentally important and yet is formidably challenge for simulation with classical computers.Quantum computing provides a perhaps transformative approach for studying and understanding nuclear physics.With rapid scaling-up of quantum processors as well as advances on quantum algorithms,the digital quantum simulation approach for simulating quantum gauge fields and nuclear physics has gained lots of attention.In this review,we aim to summarize recent efforts on solving nuclear physics with quantum computers.We first discuss a formulation of nuclear physics in the language of quantum computing.In particular,we review how quantum gauge fields(both Abelian and non-Abelian)and their coupling to matter field can be mapped and studied on a quantum computer.We then introduce related quantum algorithms for solving static properties and real-time evolution for quantum systems,and show their applications for a broad range of problems in nuclear physics,including simulation of lattice gauge field,solving nucleon and nuclear structures,quantum advantage for simulating scattering in quantum field theory,non-equilibrium dynamics,and so on.Finally,a short outlook on future work is given.

Review of quantum simulation based on Rydberg many-body system

Quantum simulation has been developed extensively over the past decades,widely applied to different models to explore dynamics in the quantum regime.Rydberg atoms have strong dipole-dipole interactions and interact with each other over a long distance,which makes it straightforward to build many-body interacting quantum systems to simulate specific models.Additionally,neutral atoms are easily manipulated due to their weak interactions.These advantages make Rydberg many-body system an ideal platform to implement quantum simulations.This paper reviews several quantum simulations for different models based on Rydberg many-body systems,including quantum Ising models in one dimension and two dimensions mainly for quantum magnetism,XY model for excitation transport,SSH model for symmetry-protected topological phases,and critical self-organized behaviors in many-body systems.Besides,some challenges and promising directions of quantum simulations based on Rydberg many-body system are discussed in this paper.

Security Simulation of Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution over Air-to-Water Channel Using Monte Carlo Method

Considering the ocean water＇s optical attenuation and the roughness of the sea surface, we analyze the security of continuous-variable （CV） quantum key distribution （QKD） based Mr-to-water channel. The effects of the absorp- tion and scattering on the transmittance of underwater quantum channel and the maximum secure transmission distance are studied. Considering the roughness of the sea surface, we simulate the performance bounds of CV QKD with different wind speeds using the Monte Carlo method. The results show that even if the secret key rate gradually reduces as the wind speed increases, the maximum transmission distance will not be affected obviously. Compared to the works regarding short-distance underwater optical communication, our research represents a significant step towards establishing secure communication between air platform and submarine vehicle.

Quantum simulation and quantum computation of noisy-intermediate scale

In the past years, great progresses have been made on quantum computation and quantum simulation. Increasing the number of qubits in the quantum processors is expected to be one of the main motivations in the next years, while noises in manipulation of quantum states may still be inevitable even the precision will improve. For research in this direction, it is necessary to review the available results about noisy multiqubit quantum computation and quantum simulation. The review focuses on multiqubit state generations, quantum computational advantage, and simulating physics of quantum many-body systems. Perspectives of near term noisy intermediate-quantum processors will be discussed.

Quantum computation and simulation with vibrational modes of trapped ions

Vibrational degrees of freedom in trapped-ion systems have recently been gaining attention as a quantum resource,beyond the role as a mediator for entangling quantum operations on internal degrees of freedom,because of the large available Hilbert space.The vibrational modes can be represented as quantum harmonic oscillators and thus offer a Hilbert space with infinite dimensions.Here we review recent theoretical and experimental progress in the coherent manipulation of the vibrational modes,including bosonic encoding schemes in quantum information,reliable and efficient measurement techniques,and quantum operations that allow various quantum simulations and quantum computation algorithms.We describe experiments using the vibrational modes,including the preparation of non-classical states,molecular vibronic sampling,and applications in quantum thermodynamics.We finally discuss the potential prospects and challenges of trapped-ion vibrational-mode quantum information processing.

Quantum simulation of τ-anti-pseudo-Hermitian two-level systems

Different from the Hermitian case, non-Hermitian(NH) systems have novel properties and strongly relate to open and dissipative quantum systems. In this work, we investigate how to simulate τ-anti-pseudo-Hermitian systems in a Hermitian quantum device using linear combinations of unitaries and duality quantum algorithm. Specifying the τ to time-reversal(T) and parity-time-reversal(PT) operators, we construct the two NH two-level systems, design quantum circuits including three qubits, and decide the quantum gates explicitly in detail. We also calculate the success probabilities of the simulation.Experimental implementation can be expected in small quantum simulator.

Low-temperature environments for quantum computation and quantum simulation

This review summarizes the requirement of low temperature conditions in existing experimental approaches to quantum computation and quantum simulation.

Quantum simulations with nuclear magnetic resonance system

Thanks to the quantum simulation,more and more problems in quantum mechanics which were previously inaccessible are now open to us.Capitalizing on the state-of-the-art techniques on quantum coherent control developed in past few decades,e.g.,the high-precision quantum gate manipulating,the time-reversal harnessing,the high-fidelity state preparation and tomography,the nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) system offers a unique platform for quantum simulation of many-body physics and high-energy physics.Here,we review the recent experimental progress and discuss the prospects for quantum simulation realized on NMR systems.

Superconducting quantum bits

Superconducting quantum bits （qubits） and circuits are the leading candidate for the implementation of solid-state quantum computation. They have also been widely used in a variety of studies of quantum physics, atomic physics, quantum optics, and quantum simulation. In this article, we will present an overview of the basic principles of the superconducting qubits, including the phase, flux, charge, and transmon （Xmon） qubits, and the progress achieved so far concerning the improvements of the device design and quantum coherence property. Experimental studies in various research fields using the superconducting qubits and circuits will be briefly reviewed.

Quantum computation and simulation with superconducting qubits

Superconducting circuits based on Josephson junctions are regarded as one of the most promising technologies for the implementation of scalable quantum computers.This review presents the basic principles of superconducting qubits and shows the progress of quantum computing and quantum simulation based on superconducting qubits in recent years.The experimental realization of gate operations,readout,error correction codes,as well as some quantum algorithms are summarized,followed by an introduction of quantum simulation.And then some important applications in fields including condensed matter physics,quantum annealing,and quantum chemistry are discussed.

Quantum simulation of lattice gauge theories on superconducting circuits:Quantum phase transition and quench dynamics

Recently,quantum simulation of low-dimensional lattice gauge theories(LGTs)has attracted many interests,which may improve our understanding of strongly correlated quantum many-body systems.Here,we propose an implementation to approximate Z;LGT on superconducting quantum circuits,where the effective theory is a mixture of a LGT and a gauge-broken term.By using matrix product state based methods,both the ground state properties and quench dynamics are systematically investigated.With an increase of the transverse(electric)field,the system displays a quantum phase transition from a disordered phase to a translational symmetry breaking phase.In the ordered phase,an approximate Gauss law of the Z;LGT emerges in the ground state.Moreover,to shed light on the experiments,we also study the quench dynamics,where there is a dynamical signature of the spontaneous translational symmetry breaking.The spreading of the single particle of matter degree is diffusive under the weak transverse field,while it is ballistic with small velocity for the strong field.Furthermore,due to the emergent Gauss law under the strong transverse field,the matter degree can also exhibit confinement dynamics which leads to a strong suppression of the nearest-neighbor hopping.Our results pave the way for simulating the LGT on superconducting circuits,including the quantum phase transition and quench dynamics.

Impact of Temperature Variation on Performance of Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistor-Based on Chaotic Oscillator:A Quantum Simulation Study

We evaluate the impact of temperature on the output behavior of a carbon nanotube field effect transistor （CNFET） based chaotic generator. The sources cause the variations in both current-voltage characteristics of the CNFET device and an overall chaotic circuit is pointed out. To verify the effect of temperature variation on the output dynamics of the chaotic circuit, a simulation is performed by employing the CNFET compact model of Wong et al. in HSPICE with a temperature range from -100℃ to 100℃. The obtained results with time series, frequency spectra, and bifurcation diagram from the simulation demonstrate that temperature plays a significant role in the output dynamics of the CNFET-based chaotic circuit. Thus, temperature-related issues should be taken into account while designing a high-quality chaotic generator with high stability.

Quantum transport simulation of the two-dimensional GaSb transistors

Owing to the high carrier mobility,two-dimensional(2D)gallium antimonite(GaSb)is a promising channel material for field-effect transistors(FETs)in the post-silicon era.We investigated the ballistic performance of the 2D GaSb metal-oxide-semiconductor FETs with a 10 nm-gate-length by the ab initio quantum transport simulation.Because of the wider bandgap and better gate-control ability,the performance of the 10-nm monolayer(ML)GaSb FETs is generally superior to the bilayer counterparts,including the three-to-four orders of magnitude larger on-current.Via hydrogenation,the delaytime and power consumption can be further enhanced with magnitude up to 35%and 57%,respectively,thanks to the expanded bandgap.The 10-nm ML GaSb FETs can almost meet the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors(ITRS)for high-performance demands in terms of the on-state current,intrinsic delay time,and power-delay product.