Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics’ Post

Physicists reveal the role of ‘magic’ in quantum computational power 19 Aug 2024 Daniele Iannotti Entanglement is a fundamental concept in quantum information theory and is often regarded as a key indicator of a system’s “quantumness”. However, the relationship between entanglement and quantum computational power is not straightforward. In a study posted on the arXiv preprint server, physicists in Germany, Italy and the US shed light on this complex relationship by exploring the role of a property known as “magic” in entanglement theory. The study’s results have broad implications for various fields, including quantum error correction, many-body physics and quantum chaos.

I had not noticed before, but very happy to see that the United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, to mark the 100th anniversary of the landmark papers by Heisenberg, Born, Jordan and Schrödinger that lay the foundation for modern quantum theory, a theory that has changed our lives and societies in more ways than most of us probably realize. The theory is still at the core of large parts of modern science and technology, and we are possibly at the beginning of the second quantum revolution, as we contionue to push the boundaries of quantum computing, sensors and information. https://lnkd.in/d7gG54jH

📢 Behind the scenes #6 with Giulia Ferrini from the Chalmers University team!   🧢 Giulia, what is your role in the Veriqub project?   In #VeriQuB, I have the responsibility for two tasks: the first one is a proof of computational hardness for new bosonic architectures amenable to implementation with microwave cavities coupled to superconducting qubits. The second one is the definition of new ways to quantify how resourceful is a state, taking inspiration by what is easy and what is hard to implement experimentally with microwave cavities and superconducting circuits.    👨🎓 What is your background?   After my PhD thesis in Grenoble on condesed-matter related topic, I really wanted to delve into quantum information, and I joined the lab of our Sorbonne Université partner, Laboratoire Kastler Brossel - LKB. Back then, there was little theoretical activity on how to apply the multi-mode quantum optics source studied in the experimental lab there to quantum computation, and I helped setting up such activity. After that, I moved to a nearby laboratory at Université Paris Diderot Descartes for a few years, and then to Germany, at Johannes Guthenberg University. I was finally hired at Chalmers University of Technology in 2018. Here, I found experiments on microwave circuits and started a research activity bridging between theoretical quantum optics and the microwave world. This is also my main contribution in VeriQuB!   💥 What are the aspects you’re most excited about Veriqub?   I think that our consortium reunites a very good mix of competences, both theoretical and experimental, including quantum optics and microwave experiments, and analyzing them under the same theoretical framework of resource theories and verification. This is very exciting!   📝 What is the one thing that you need in your daily work routine?   Time to think, breathe, smile and stay close to the technical details of the various projects I am involved in is what I miss the most, due to often overwhelming administrative duties.   🚶♂️Is there any activity that helps you release stress after a hard week at work?   I made the first encounter with physics and dance at the same time, in high school, and I haven’t stopped with either since then.   For more information 👉 https://lnkd.in/e9kasp3s   #VeriQuB #EUProject #ScienceInnovation #QuantumTech #quantuminformation QAT - INRIA Inria Università degli Studi di Milano Sorbonne Université CNRS - Centre national de la recherche scientifique Chalmers University of Technology Laboratoire Kastler Brossel - LKB European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) European Commission Ulysse Chabaud

A fascinating conversation with Prof. John Preskill covers many topics including: • Prof. Preskill’s journey into quantum physics was influenced by the cancellation of the Superconducting Super Collider and his fascination with quantum information. •The impact of quantum computing on redefining computation and its potential applications in various scientific fields. • Quantum error correction and its significance in both quantum computing and understanding quantum gravity. • The relationship between theoretical advancements and practical implementations in quantum computing. • The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and international cooperation for the advancement of quantum information science. In-Depth Conversation with John Preskill https://hubs.ly/Q02DQ6zw0

With unforgivable delay, mostly due to superstition (I was waiting for some other good news so yes, stay tuned 😀), I am thrilled to share that the paper we submitted last year with my former advisor and senior group mate, Dr. Carlos R. Ordóñez and Dr. Abhijit Chakraborty, Ph.D.: 𝑸𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔: 𝒂 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝒈𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆 was accepted for publication by the 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 (https://lnkd.in/dXKCVYeW). This pedagogical paper explores the basics of quantum computing from the perspective of one of the leading techniques in qubit preparation: 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. It describes the most used trapping techniques and cooling methods, showing how they can be combined to implement basic 1-qubit gates, and the CNOT. The objective of this work is to expose to and train undergraduate students in quantum computing, one of the most exciting and recent applications of quantum mechanics. Finally, this work crowns the time I spent from 2018 to 2020 at the Department of Physics at the University of Houston, and gives me the honor of having my name written along with that of two great researchers. Ad maiora semper! https://lnkd.in/duDevKgA

The United Nations (UN) has officially declared 2025 to be the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology! This proves that quantum computing is advancing from a theoretical idea conceived in laboratories to scaling for real-world applications. As a leading provider of scalable and modular quantum control stacks, we at Qblox are excited to continue contributing to the commercialization of quantum computers that will lead us into the future of quantum. The American Physical Society and the German Physical Society started the campaign to celebrate quantum science in 2021. Read the full statement about how they were inspired by 2025 being the centenary of Werner Heisenberg’s efforts to develop the mathematical formulation of quantum phenomena here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Gb1810

📚 New Book Release: "New Trends and Platforms for Quantum Technologies" in the Springer Lecture Notes in Physics Series 🚀 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d4sEwkaQ 📣 Excited to announce the latest addition to the Lecture Notes in Physics series, New Trends and Platforms for Quantum Technologies, edited by Ramon Aguado, Roberta Citro, Maciej Lewenstein, and Michael Stern. 📘 This comprehensive volume introduces cutting-edge quantum computing platforms, spanning solid-state, atomic, and optical systems. It explores pivotal topics such as topological quantum computing, quantum entanglement, and the fabrication of quantum circuits. 👩🎓 Ideal for researchers, educators, and students, this book serves as a perfect primer for courses on quantum technologies.

What do Quantum states, Turing machines and the origin of life have in common? Another set of ideas in fundamental physics, Constructor theory, showing again a shift from mathematics to computing as the architecture of reality. « DNA is a replicator and contains the instructions for building the cell, and then the cell is the vehicle which is capable of reading those instructions, constructing a new instance of itself, copying the instructions and inserting them into the new cell. And in constructor theory you can explain why this is the only viable mechanism possible if you want reliable self-reproduction, under laws of physics that aren’t especially designed for life. So it’s not just that it’s one of the ways life can work under our laws of physics, but it’s the only way it can work. That’s a feature of living systems regardless of whether they are built with the chemistry we have on Earth. »

Evidence of ‘Negative Time’ Found in Quantum Physics Experiment: Physicists showed that photons can seem to exit a material before entering it, revealing observational evidence of negative time. A group of researchers from scientific institutions in Canada and Australia have found evidence for the first time of a strange quantum phenomenon known as 'negative time' after conducting a groundbreaking experiment, Scientific American reports. This discovery was made after scientists spent 7 years studying the behavior of photons, wave-like particles of light, in order to understand atomic excitation. This phenomenon occurs through the interaction between photons and a medium filled with atoms. However, atomic excitation challenges the conventional concept of time at the quantum level. This is because photons absorbed by atoms in the medium experience a time delay, also known as 'group delay', before they exit the medium itself. A thought experiment could help understand some gaps in quantum physics A thought experiment could help understand some gaps in quantum physics Unexpected behaviour of photons. In an attempt to observe and verify this quantum phenomenon, researchers designed an experiment to shoot photons through a cloud of ultracold rubidium atoms. In a study, recently published on the preprint service arXiv, it was reported that the photons experienced unexpected behavior, which questions the usual understanding of quantum interactions. According to the scientists, it was found that the atoms were excited, even though the photons passed through the cloud without being absorbed. However, it was also observed that the photons left the atomic cloud before they completed the atomic excitation process, so the transit time of these quantum particles was negative. This created the effect that the photons were leaving the cloud of atoms, even before they had entered it. "A negative time delay may seem paradoxical, but what it means is that if a 'quantum' clock were built to measure how much time atoms spend in the excited state, the clock's hand would, under certain circumstances, move backwards rather than forwards," said researcher Josiah Sinclair. These findings suggest that photons can exist in a superposition of states, that is, simultaneously experience different states. This quantum superposition manifests itself in that these particles can produce both a positive and negative value in time. On the other hand, the concept of 'negative time' observed in the experiment does not alter our intuitive understanding of time. Instead, it reflects the nature of measurements at the quantum level. https://lnkd.in/eC7_7Uj2

Today marks a significant occasion in the scientific community: World Quantum Day. Celebrated on April 14th, this day is dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of quantum science and technology. It's a day where scientists, educators, and enthusiasts from over 65 countries come together to engage the public in discussions about the fascinating world of quantum mechanics. The date, 4.14, is chosen in homage to Planck’s constant, which is approximately 4.1356677×10−15 electron volt seconds. This constant is a fundamental value in quantum physics, representing the product of energy and time. The Quantum Flagship of Europe is actively participating in World Quantum Day 2024, encouraging individuals and organizations to develop and submit their own events, workshops, panel discussions, and exhibitions to celebrate the advancements and potential of quantum technologies. Quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionize various fields, from communications and medicine to materials science. As we observe World Quantum Day, it is not only celebrating past achievements but also look forward to the possibilities that quantum science holds for the future.