Implementing high-fidelity quantum control and suppressing the unwanted environmental noise has been one of the essential challenges in developing quantum information technologies. In the past, driving pulse sequences based on Dirac delta functions or square wave functions, such as Hahn spin echo or CPMG, have been developed to dynamically correcting the noise effects. However, implementing these ideal pulses with high fidelity is a challenging task in real experiments. In this thesis, we provide a new and simple method to explore the entire solution space of driving pulse shapes that suppress environmental noise in the evolution of the system. In this method, any single-qubit phase gate that is first-order robust against quasi-static transversal noise corresponds to a closed curve on a two-dimensional plane, and more general first-order robust single-qubit gates correspond to closed three-dimensional space curves. Second-order robust gates correspond to closed curves having the property that their projection onto any two-dimensional planes shall enclose a zero net area. The driving pulse shapes that implement the gates can be determined by the curvature, torsion, and the length of the curve. By utilizing the framework it is possible to obtain globally optimal solutions in pulse shaping in respect of experimental constraints by mapping them into geometrical optimization problems. One such problem we solved is to prove that the fastest possible single-qubit phase gates that are second-order noise-resistant shall be implemented using sign-flipping square functions. Since square waves are not experimentally feasible, we provide a method to smooth these pulses with minimal loss in gate speed while maintaining the robustness, based on the geometrical framework. This framework can also be useful in diagnosing the noise-cancellation properties of pulse shapes generated from numerical methods such as GRAPE. We show that this method for pulse shaping can significantly improve the fidelity of single-qubit gates through numerical simulation. / Doctor of Philosophy / Controlling a quantum system with high-fidelity is one of the main challenges in developing quantum information technologies, and it is an essential task to reduce the error caused by unwanted environmental noise. In this thesis, we developed a new geometrical formalism that enables us to explore all possible driving fields and provides a simple recipe to generate an infinite number of experimentally feasible driving pulse shapes for implementing quantum gates. We show that single-qubit operations that could suppress quasi-static noise to first-order correspond to closed three-dimensional space curves, and single-qubit gates that are second-order robust correspond to closed curves with zero enclosed net area. This simple geometrical framework can be utilized to obtain optimal solutions in quantum control problems, and can also be used as a method to diagnose driving pulse shapes generated from other means. We show that this method for pulse shaping can significantly improve the fidelity of single-qubit gates through numerical simulation.

Nesta tese de doutoramento nós tivemos como principal objetivo desenvolver novos métodos para proteção da informação e computação quântica. Começamos, de forma introdutória, ilustrando os conceitos básicos e fundamentais da teoria da informação e computação quântica, como os bits quânticos (qubits), o operador densidade, o emaranhamento e as operações lógicas quânticas. Na seqüência, apresentamos os formalismos utilizados para tratar sistemas abertos, ou seja, sujeitos a erros, além das principais técnicas existentes a fim de proteger a informação quântica, como os códigos de correção de erros, os subespaços livres de erros e o desacoplamento dinâmico. Finalmente, baseando-nos na técnica de desacoplamento dinâmico, introduzimos um esquema de proteção para operações lógicas quânticas e o emaranhamentos entre qubits utilizando campos de alta freqüência. Ilustramos em detalhes a proteção da operação lógica quântica de Hadamard e do emaranhamento entre dois qubits, além de apresentarmos as principais diferenças e vantagens de nosso método quando comparado às técnicas tradicionais de desacoplamento dinâmico. / The main objective of this thesis is the development of a new procedure for quantum information and computation protection. We begin by briefly illustrating the basic concepts of quantum information and computation theory, such as quantum bits (qubits), density matrix operator, entanglement, and quantum logical operations. Subsequently, we present the formalism utilized to treat quantum open systems, i.e., systems subjected to errors, and the main strategies to protect quantum information, such as quantum error correction codes, decoherence-free subspaces, and dynamical decoupling. Finally, based on the dynamical decoupling strategies, we introduce a procedure to protect quantum logical operations and entanglement utilizing high-frequency continuous fields. We illustrate, in details, the protection of a Hadamard quantum gate and of entanglement between two qubits, and present the differences and advantages of our procedure when compared with traditional techniques of dynamical decoupling.

Nesta tese de doutoramento nós tivemos como principal objetivo desenvolver novos métodos para proteção da informação e computação quântica. Começamos, de forma introdutória, ilustrando os conceitos básicos e fundamentais da teoria da informação e computação quântica, como os bits quânticos (qubits), o operador densidade, o emaranhamento e as operações lógicas quânticas. Na seqüência, apresentamos os formalismos utilizados para tratar sistemas abertos, ou seja, sujeitos a erros, além das principais técnicas existentes a fim de proteger a informação quântica, como os códigos de correção de erros, os subespaços livres de erros e o desacoplamento dinâmico. Finalmente, baseando-nos na técnica de desacoplamento dinâmico, introduzimos um esquema de proteção para operações lógicas quânticas e o emaranhamentos entre qubits utilizando campos de alta freqüência. Ilustramos em detalhes a proteção da operação lógica quântica de Hadamard e do emaranhamento entre dois qubits, além de apresentarmos as principais diferenças e vantagens de nosso método quando comparado às técnicas tradicionais de desacoplamento dinâmico. / The main objective of this thesis is the development of a new procedure for quantum information and computation protection. We begin by briefly illustrating the basic concepts of quantum information and computation theory, such as quantum bits (qubits), density matrix operator, entanglement, and quantum logical operations. Subsequently, we present the formalism utilized to treat quantum open systems, i.e., systems subjected to errors, and the main strategies to protect quantum information, such as quantum error correction codes, decoherence-free subspaces, and dynamical decoupling. Finally, based on the dynamical decoupling strategies, we introduce a procedure to protect quantum logical operations and entanglement utilizing high-frequency continuous fields. We illustrate, in details, the protection of a Hadamard quantum gate and of entanglement between two qubits, and present the differences and advantages of our procedure when compared with traditional techniques of dynamical decoupling.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Fernando Luis da Silva Semião / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, 2017.

This thesis describes theoretical and experimental work whose main aim is the development of techniques for using trapped ⁴³Ca⁺ ions for quantum information processing. I present a rate equations model of ⁴³Ca⁺, and compare it with experimental data. The model is then used to investigate and optimise an electron-shelving readout method from a ground-level hyperfine qubit. The process is robust against common experimental imperfections. A shelving fidelity of up to 99.97% is theoretically possible, taking 100 μs. The laser pulse sequence can be greatly simplified for only a small reduction in the fidelity. The simplified method is tested experimentally with fidelities up to 99.8%. The shelving procedure could be applied to other commonly-used species of ion qubit. An entangling two-qubit quantum controlled-phase gate was attempted between a ⁴⁰Ca⁺ and a ⁴³Ca⁺ ion. The experiment did not succeed due to frequent decrystallisation of the ion pair, and strong motional decoherence. The source of the problems was never identified despite significant experimental effort, and the decision was made to suspend the experiments and continue them in an improved ion trap which is under construction. A sequence of pi-pulses, inspired by the Hahn spin-echo, was derived that is capable of greatly reducing dephasing of any qubit. If the qubit precession frequency varies with time as an nth-order polynomial, an (n+1) pulse sequence is theoretically capable of perfectly cancelling the resulting phase error. The sequence is used on a 43Ca+ magnetic-field-sensitive hyperfine qubit, with 20 pulses increasing the coherence time by a factor of 75 compared to an experiment without any spin-echo. In our ambient noise environment the well-known Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill dynamic-decoupling method was found to be comparably effective.

Quantum information technologies include secure quantum communications and ultra precise quantum sensing that are significantly more efficient than their classical counterparts. To enable such technologies, we need a scalable quantum platform in which qubits are con trollable. Color centers provide controllable optically-active spin qubits within the coherence time limit. Moreover, the nearby nuclear spins have long coherence times suitable for quantum memories. In this thesis, I present a theoretical understanding of and control protocols for various color centers. Using group theory, I explore the wave functions and laser pumping-induced dynamics of VSi color centers in silicon carbide. I also provide dynamical decoupling-based high-fidelity control of nuclear spins around the color center. I also present a control technique that combines holonomic control and dynamically corrected control to tolerate simultaneous errors from various sources. The work described here includes a theoretical understanding and control techniques of color center spin qubits and nuclear spin quantum memories, as well as a new platform-independent control formalism towards robust qubit control. / Doctor of Philosophy / Quantum information technologies promise to offer efficient computations of certain algorithms and secure communications beyond the reach of their classical counterparts. To achieve such technologies, we must find a suitable quantum platform to manipulate the quantum information units (qubits). Color centers host spin qubits that can enable such technologies. However, it is challenging due to our incomplete understanding of their physical properties and, more importantly, the controllability and scalability of such spin qubits. In this thesis, I present a theoretical understanding of and control protocols for various color centers. By using group theory that describes the symmetry of color centers, I give a phenomenological model of spin qubit dynamics under optical control of VSi color centers in silicon carbide. I also provide an improved technique for controlling nuclear spin qubits with higher precision. Moreover, I propose a new qubit control technique that combines two methods - holonomic control and dynamical corrected control - to provide further robust qubit control in the presence of multiple noise sources. The works in this thesis provide knowledge of color center spin qubits and concrete control methods towards quantum information technologies with color center spin qubits.

Ce travail se place dans le contexte des recherches sur les mémoires quantiques pour la lumière. L’information quantique est stockée dans un état de superposition atomique, dont la durée de vie détermine le temps maximum de stockage.On s’intéresse particulièrement aux matériaux capables de capturer la lumière par excitation résonnante d’une raie d’absorption, puis de conserver l’information quantique dans un état de superposition du fondamental électronique.Dans Tm3+:YAG, l’information est enregistrée dans un état de spin nucléaire. Cependant le champ magnétique qui lève la dégénérescence nucléaire entraîne les différents spins à des vitesses de précession différentes, ce qui tend à détruire l’aimantation initiale, porteuse de l’information.Une étude quantique du cristal est réalisée lors du premier chapitre de ce manuscrit. Les trois chapitres suivants traitent des différents mécanismes conduisant au déphasage des spins nucléaires. On y trouvera différente analyses théoriques qui seront confirmées par un ensemble de résultats expérimentaux, ainsi qu’une description détaillée du dispositif expérimental. Enfin le dernier chapitre, prospectif, exploite les outils développés au cours de la thèse pour préserver les cohérences optiques. Il présente quelques résultats expérimentaux prometteurs sur l’allongement du temps de vie de ces cohérences optiques. / This work takes place in the context of research about quantum memories for light. The quantum information is stored in an atomic superposition state whose lifetime sets the maximum storage time. We are particularly interested in materials which are able to hold the light by resonant excitation of an absorption line, preserving the quantum information in a superposition state of the electronicfundamental.n Tm3+:YAG the information is stored in a nuclear spin state. However, the magnetic field which lifts the nuclear degeneracy generates different precession speeds of the spins. This destroys theinitial magnetization carrier of the information.In the first chapter of this thesis, a quantum analysis of the crystal is done. The following three chapters are devoted to different mechanisms to control the nuclear spins dephasing. There it ispossible to find different theoretical analysis which will be confirmed by a series of experimental measurements, including an extended description of the set-up. Finally, the last chapter presentsthe different techniques used to preserve the optical coherence. Promising experimental measurements are presented to extend the life time of the optical coherences.