YIP Large-scale integrated acoustic circuit for quantum information processing
Abstract
Measuring and controlling the mechanical degree of freedom is of significant interest for both technological applications and fundamental understanding of nature. Mechanical systems have a long history of being used for time tracking, signal filtering, and motionsensing in the classical regime. These further stimulate the development of mechanical systems in the quantum regime, ranging from the verification of fundamental quantum physics theories to the search of dark matters. However, it remains an outstanding challengeto create and control quantum states in the mechanical domain. Initial efforts based on optomechanics and electromechanics can onlyrealize the generation and operations of Gaussian states, which are insufficient for universal quantum information processing. Recently, superconducting qubits have been coupled to mechanical systems for non-Gaussian quantum state generation. However, these demonstrations are restricted to small-scale or single mechanical devices, and are challenging to scale up to large quantum mechanical systems. As quantum information capability scales exponentially with system dimensions, it is imperative to develop mechanical systemscapable of large-scale non-Gaussian state generation and operation. Our major goal in this project will be to demonstrate a new paradigm for quantum technology based on mechanical systems. Inspired by the recent development of integrated quantum photonics, we will develop waveguide-based integrated acoustic circuits for quantum information processing. We will use gallium nitride (GaN) on sapphire because GaN has acoustic velocities much smaller than sapphire substrates. Acoustic fields can be confined in sub-wavelength GaN waveguides without using suspended structures. This will enable the flexible routing of quantum states using acoustic fields. Therefore, a large number of acoustic components can be integrated with high device density and low cross-talks. Arbitrary unitary operations can be realized in the mechanical domain for the first time.Another critical advantage of the proposed waveguide-based integrated acoustic circuit is the capability to strongly couple with superconducting qubits through the piezoelectric effect. Leveraging established protocols in superconducting qubits, we can realize deterministic generation, operation, and detection of non-Gaussian quantum states in the mechanical domain. This is in strong contrast to integrated quantum photonic systems, where deterministic entanglement and state generation are still out of reach. Compared with superconducting microwave systems, the circuit density of the waveguide-based integrated acoustic circuit can be improved by over two orders of magnitude because of the much slower propagation speed. It can also solve the critical crosstalk issue in superconducting microwave systems.This waveguide-based integrated acoustic circuit is a revolutionary approach that will, for the first time, allow universal quantum information processing using the mechanical degree of freedom. It is an enabling technology whose long-term impact is significant both in terms of basic science and applications for DoD capabilities. We envision that the scalable quantum acoustic system can find critical applications including quantum-enhanced inertial sensing and transduction among different quantum systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 24, 2025
- Source ID
- N000142512130
Entities
People
- Linran Fan
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Texas at Austin