Este trabalho consiste na análise de um método de reconstrução/tomografia de estado quântico em ressonância magnética nuclear utilizando pulsos de radiofreqüência não-seletivos, que possuem a propriedade de promover rotações globais do sistema de spins 7/2. Tal método foi aplicado para reconstruir estados relacionados à computação quântica. As operações lógicas e os estados iniciais envolvidos nas operações quânticas foram construídos através de pulsos modulados optimizados numericamente; o processo de optimização, em particular, não foi tratado nesse trabalho. Foram elaborados programas que simulam: a construção dos estados e portas lógicas utilizando os parâmetros dos pulsos modulados; a aplicação dos pulsos de tomografia e a geração dos dados necessários à reconstrução (amplitudes espectrais); construção de estados utilizando pulsos simples para testes das circunstâncias experimentais; o efeitos de possíveis problemas relacionados à amostra ou ao equipamento. Finalmente, foi elaborado um programa para reconstrução do estado a partir da leitura das amplitudes espectrais, que podem ser obtidas a partir dos programas relacionados no segundo item, ou experimentalmente. As implementações experimentais foram realizadas medindo sinais de RMN de núcleos de 133Cs, localizados em um cristal líquido, que, por possuírem spin 7/2, devido às interações Zeeman e quadrupolar elétrica, apresentam sete linhas espectrais distintas para transições entre níveis energéticos adjacentes; logo, é possível tratar esses núcleos como sistemas de 3 q-bits. Foram construídos estados pseudo-puros e aplicada uma das portas Toffoli. Além disso, uma discussão do algoritmo quântico de busca de Grover no contexto da Ressonância Magnética Nuclear é apresentada para uma futura implementação. / This work describes a quantum state tomography method in nuclear magnetic resonance using nonselective radiofrequency pulses that cause global rotations of spin 7/2 systems. This method was applied to tomograph states related to quantum computation. Numerically optimized modulated pulses allowed building the initial states and the logical operations involved in the quantum operations; particularly, the optimization process was not treated in this work. Several programs were constructed that simulate: o the construction of the quantum states and the logical operations by means of the modulated pulses parameters; o the application of the tomography pulses and the generation of the necessary data for tomography (spectral amplitudes); o the construction of the states using simple pulses for experimental condition tests; o the effects of possible problems related to the samples or equipments. Finally, a quantum state tomography program was elaborated to read the spectral amplitudes, which can be obtained from the programs related to the second item, or experimentally. The experimental implementations were performed measuring the NMR signals from spin 7/2 133Cs nuclei located in a liquid crystal under Zeeman and quadrupolar electric interactions. The NMR spectrum of these nuclei, under these interactions and located in an oriented sample, present 7 spectral lines for transitions between adjacent energetic levels; with this, it is possible to treat it like a 3 q-bits system. Pseudo-pure states were constructed and one Toffoli gate was applied. Furthermore, a discussion about the Grover\'s quantum search algorithm in the nuclear magnetic resonance context was presented for future implementation.

O objetivo principal da presente Tese é expor um método de Tomografia de Estado Quântico desenvolvido para ser aplicado em sistemas de núcleos quadrupolares isolados. O espaço de Hilbert de tais sistemas pode ser usado para processar a informação quântica de um sistema equivalente constituído por vários q-bits. O método proposto baseia-se na aplicação de pulsos de radiofrqüência não-seletivos que possuem a propriedade de promover rotações globais do estado quântico do sistema. Utilizando uma descrição analítica dessas rotações foi possível generalizar o método proposto para núcleos quadrupolares com qualquer número quântico de spin. O método também pode ser adaptado para sistemas de núcleos acoplados, embora para esses casos seja necessário utilizar períodos de evolução sob a hamiltoniana de interação livre para determinar alguns dos elementos da correspondente matriz densidade. Como aplicação do método de Tomografia de Estado Quântico, utilizaram-se núcleos de 23Na dissolvidos em um cristal líquido liotrópico para obter os resultados experimentais das implementações do algoritmo de Deutsch e do algoritmo de busca de Grover, além da medida da dinâmica de relaxação de vários estados pseudo-puros. Também foram realizadas simulações do método proposto para o caso de um sistema quadrupolar de spin 7/2 e para três spins 1/2 homonucleares acoplados. / The main purpose of the present thesis is to propose a Quantum State Tomography method developed to be applied in quadrupolar isolated nuclei systems. The Hilbert space of such systems can be used to process the quantum information of an equivalent system formed by many qubits. The proposed method is based on the application of non-selective radiofrequency pulses that produce global rotations of the system quantum state. Using an analytical description of those rotations, it was possible to generalize the proposed method to quadrupolar nuclei with any spin quantum number. The method can also be adapted to coupled nuclear systems, although in such cases it is necessary the use of evolution periods under the free interaction hamiltonian in order to determine some of the density matrix elements. As an application of the method, 23Na nuclei dissolved in a lyotropic liquid crystal were used to obtain the experimental results of the Deutsch and Grover algorithms, together with the measurement of the relaxation dynamics of some pseudo-pure states. Simulations of the proposed method applied to the quadrupolar spin 7/2 nucleus and to three homonuclear coupled spin 1/2 were also obtained.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / O presente trabalho à divido em duas partes. Na primeira, a utilizaÃÃo do interferÃmetro de Sagnac em informaÃÃo quÃntica à analisada atravÃs da aplicaÃÃo do mesmo em trÃs problemas: MediÃÃo livre de interaÃÃo, distribuiÃÃo quÃntica de chaves e compartilhamento de segredo. Para a mediÃÃo livre de interaÃÃo, dois sistemas usando o Sagnac foram propostos. Considerando detectores ideais e ausÃncia de perdas, um deles apresenta probabilidade de sucesso de 25% por fÃton consumido, enquanto que o segundo apresenta probabilidade de determinar corretamente a presenÃa do objeto prÃxima a 100% por fÃton consumido. Para a distribuiÃÃo quÃntica de chaves foi proposta uma configuraÃÃo diferente das existentes, sendo a principal diferenÃa a ausÃncia de retorno do pulso enviado, como ocorre nos sistemas com Sagnac anteriormente propostos. Isto evita ataques do tipo Cavalo de TrÃia. Por fim, foi proposta uma configuraÃÃo Ãptica que permite que um segredo compartilhado por cinco pessoas, localmente distantes, seja usado apenas quando todos os cinco concordarem. A segunda parte da dissertaÃÃo apresenta um estudo analÃtico e numÃrico da variaÃÃo do entrelaÃamento de estados bipartites de qubits quando da propagaÃÃo dos mesmos em canais quÃnticos ruidosos. Em particular, foi encontrada uma fÃrmula exata que relaciona os entrelaÃamentos dos estados na entrada e saÃda do canal, quando o estado na entrada à puro e o canal à modelado pela interaÃÃo do estado bipartite (sinal) com um qubit (estado do canal) atravÃs de uma operaÃÃo unitÃria canÃnica. / This work is divided into two parts. In the first one, the use of the Sagnac interferometer in quantum information is analyzed applying it in three problems: interaction-free measurement, quantum key distribution, and secret sharing. For the interaction-free measurement two systems using Sagnac interferometer were proposed. Considering ideal detectors and loss less devices, one of them has a success probability of 25% for each photon used while the other presents the probability of getting success to detect the presence of the object close to 100% for each photon used. For quantum key distribution, it was proposed a different setup, where the main difference is that the pulse sent by the transmitter does not come back to him/her as happen with the systems based on Sagnac proposed before. This avoids the Trojan horse attack. Finally, it was proposed an optical configuration where it is possible to share a secret among five users, locally distant, that could be used only when all five persons agreed. The second part of this dissertation presents an analytical and numerical study of the entanglement variation of bipartite states of qubits during propagation in a quantum noisy channel. Particularly, it was found an exactly formula which relates the entanglement of states in the input and output of the channel, when the input state is pure and the channel is modeled by a canonical unitary operation.

O objetivo principal da presente Tese é expor um método de Tomografia de Estado Quântico desenvolvido para ser aplicado em sistemas de núcleos quadrupolares isolados. O espaço de Hilbert de tais sistemas pode ser usado para processar a informação quântica de um sistema equivalente constituído por vários q-bits. O método proposto baseia-se na aplicação de pulsos de radiofrqüência não-seletivos que possuem a propriedade de promover rotações globais do estado quântico do sistema. Utilizando uma descrição analítica dessas rotações foi possível generalizar o método proposto para núcleos quadrupolares com qualquer número quântico de spin. O método também pode ser adaptado para sistemas de núcleos acoplados, embora para esses casos seja necessário utilizar períodos de evolução sob a hamiltoniana de interação livre para determinar alguns dos elementos da correspondente matriz densidade. Como aplicação do método de Tomografia de Estado Quântico, utilizaram-se núcleos de 23Na dissolvidos em um cristal líquido liotrópico para obter os resultados experimentais das implementações do algoritmo de Deutsch e do algoritmo de busca de Grover, além da medida da dinâmica de relaxação de vários estados pseudo-puros. Também foram realizadas simulações do método proposto para o caso de um sistema quadrupolar de spin 7/2 e para três spins 1/2 homonucleares acoplados. / The main purpose of the present thesis is to propose a Quantum State Tomography method developed to be applied in quadrupolar isolated nuclei systems. The Hilbert space of such systems can be used to process the quantum information of an equivalent system formed by many qubits. The proposed method is based on the application of non-selective radiofrequency pulses that produce global rotations of the system quantum state. Using an analytical description of those rotations, it was possible to generalize the proposed method to quadrupolar nuclei with any spin quantum number. The method can also be adapted to coupled nuclear systems, although in such cases it is necessary the use of evolution periods under the free interaction hamiltonian in order to determine some of the density matrix elements. As an application of the method, 23Na nuclei dissolved in a lyotropic liquid crystal were used to obtain the experimental results of the Deutsch and Grover algorithms, together with the measurement of the relaxation dynamics of some pseudo-pure states. Simulations of the proposed method applied to the quadrupolar spin 7/2 nucleus and to three homonuclear coupled spin 1/2 were also obtained.

[Mathematical symbols can be only approximated here. For the correct display see the Abstract in the PDF files linked below] This work has demonstrated that hyperfine decoherence times sufficiently long for QIP and quantum optics applications are achievable in rare earth ion centres. Prior to this work there were several QIP proposals using rare earth hyperfine states for long term coherent storage of optical interactions [1, 2, 3]. The very long T_1 (~weeks [4]) observed for rare-earth hyperfine transitions appears promising but hyperfine T_2s were only a few ms, comparable to rare earth optical transitions and therefore the usefulness of such proposals was doubtful. ¶ This work demonstrated an increase in hyperfine T_2 by a factor of 7 × 10^4 compared to the previously reported hyperfine T_2 for Pr^[3+]:Y_2SiO_5 through the application of static and dynamic magnetic field techniques. This increase in T_2 makes previous QIP proposals useful and provides the first solid state optically active Lamda system with very long hyperfine T_2 for quantum optics applications. ¶ The first technique employed the conventional wisdom of applying a small static magnetic field to minimise the superhyperfine interaction [5, 6, 7], as studied in chapter 4. This resulted in hyperfine transition T_2 an order of magnitude larger than the T_2 of optical transitions, ranging fro 5 to 10 ms. The increase in T_2 was not sufficient and consequently other approaches were required. ¶ Development of the critical point technique during this work was crucial to achieving further gains in T_2. The critical point technique is the application of a static magnetic field such that the Zeeman shift of the hyperfine transition of interest has no first order component, thereby nulling decohering magnetic interactions to first order. This technique also represents a global minimum for back action of the Y spin bath due to a change in the Pr spin state, allowing the assumption that the Pr ion is surrounded by a thermal bath. The critical point technique resulted in a dramatic increase of the hyperfine transition T_2 from ~10 ms to 860 ms. ¶ Satisfied that the optimal static magnetic field configuration for increasing T_2 had been achieved, dynamic magnetic field techniques, driving either the system of interest or spin bath were investigated. These techniques are broadly classed as Dynamic Decoherence Control (DDC) in the QIP community. The first DDC technique investigated was driving the Pr ion using a CPMG or Bang Bang decoupling pulse sequence. This significantly extended T_2 from 0.86 s to 70 s. This decoupling strategy has been extensively discussed for correcting phase errors in quantum computers [8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15], with this work being the first application to solid state systems. ¶ Magic Angle Line Narrowing was used to investigate driving the spin bath to increase T_2. This experiment resulted in T_2 increasing from 0.84 s to 1.12 s. Both dynamic techniques introduce a periodic condition on when QIP operation can be performed without the qubits participating in the operation accumulating phase errors relative to the qubits not involved in the operation. ¶ Without using the critical point technique Dynamic Decoherence Control techniques such as the Bang Bang decoupling sequence and MALN are not useful due to the sensitivity of the Pr ion to magnetic field fluctuations. Critical point and DDC techniques are mutually beneficial since the critical point is most effective at removing high frequency perturbations while DDC techniques remove the low frequency perturbations. A further benefit of using the critical point technique is it allows changing the coupling to the spin bath without changing the spin bath dynamics. This was useful for discerning whether the limits are inherent to the DDC technique or are due to experimental limitations. ¶ Solid state systems exhibiting long T_2 are typically very specialised systems, such as 29Si dopants in an isotopically pure 28Si and therefore spin free host lattice [16]. These systems rely on on the purity of their environment to achieve long T_2. Despite possessing a long T_2, the spin system remain inherently sensitive to magnetic field fluctuations. In contrast, this work has demonstrated that decoherence times, sufficiently long to rival any solid state system [16], are achievable when the spin of interest is surrounded by a concentrated spin bath. Using the critical point technique results in a hyperfine state that is inherently insensitive to small magnetic field perturbations and therefore more robust for QIP applications.

Quantum computation has attracted a great deal of attention from the scientific community in recent years. By using the quantum mechanical phenomena of superposition and entanglement, a quantum computer can solve certain problems much faster than classical computers. Several quantum algorithms have been developed to demonstrate this quantum speedup. Two important examples are Shor’s algorithm for the factorization problem, and Grover’s algorithm for the search problem. Significant efforts are on to build a large scale quantum computer for implementing these quantum algorithms. This thesis deals with Grover’s search algorithm, and presents its several generalizations that perform better in specific contexts. While writing the thesis, we have assumed the familiarity of readers with the basics of quantum mechanics and computer science. For a general introduction to the subject of quantum computation, see [1]. In Chapter 1, we formally define the search problem as well as present Grover’s search algorithm [2]. This algorithm, or more generally the quantum amplitude amplification algorithm [3, 4], drives a quantum system from a prepared initial state (s) to a desired target state (t). It uses O(α-1 = | (t−|s)| -1) iterations of the operator g = IsIt on |s), where { IsIt} are selective phase inversions selective phase inversions of the corresponding states. That is a quadratic speedup over the simple scheme of O(α−2) preparations of |s) and subsequent projective measurements. Several generalizations of Grover’s algorithm exist. In Chapter 2, we study further generalizations of Grover’s algorithm. We analyse the iteration of the search operator S = DsI t on |s) where Ds is a more general transformation than Is, and I t is a selective phase rotation of |t) by angle . We find sufficient conditions for S to produce a successful quantum search algorithm. In Chapter 3, we demonstrate that our general framework encapsulates several previous generalizations of Grover’s algorithm. For example, the phase-matching condition for the search operator requires the angles and and to be almost equal for a successful quantum search. In Kato’s algorithm, the search operator is where Ks consists of only single-qubit gates, which are easier to implement physically than multi-qubit gates. The spatial search algorithms consider the search operator where is a spatially local operator and provides implementation advantages over Is. The analysis of Chapter 2 provides a simpler understanding of all these special cases. In Chapter 4, we present schemes to improve our general quantum search algorithm, by controlling the operators through an ancilla qubit. For the case of two dimensional spatial search problem, these schemes yield an algorithm with time complexity . Earlier algorithms solved this problem in time steps, and it was an open question to design a faster algorithm. The schemes can also be used to find, for a given unitary operator, an eigenstate corresponding to a specified eigenvalue. In Chapter 5, we extend the analysis of Chapter 2 to general adiabatic quantum search. It starts with the ground state |s) of an initial Hamiltonian Hs and evolves adiabatically to the target state |t) that is the ground state of the final Hamiltonian The evolution uses a time dependent Hamiltonian HT that varies linearly with time . We show that the minimum excitation gap of HT is proportional to α. Also, the ground state of HT changes significantly only within a very narrow interval of width around the transition point, where the excitation gap has its minimum. This feature can be used to reach the target state (t) using adiabatic evolution for time In Chapter 6, we present a robust quantum search algorithm that iterates the operator on |s) to successfully reach |t), whereas Grover’s algorithm fails if as per the phase-matching condition. The robust algorithm also works when is generalized to multiple target states. Moreover, the algorithm provides a new search Hamiltonian that is robust against certain systematic perturbations. In Chapter 7, we look beyond the widely studied scenario of iterative quantum search algorithms, and present a recursive quantum search algorithm that succeeds with transformations {Vs,Vt} sufficiently close to {Is,It.} Grover’s algorithm generally fails if while the recursive algorithm is nearly optimal as long as , improving the error tolerance of the transformations. The algorithms of Chapters 6-7 have applications in quantum error-correction, when systematic errors affect the transformations The algorithms are robust as long as the errors are small, reproducible and reversible. This type of errors arise often from imperfections in apparatus setup, and so the algorithms increase the flexibility in physical implementation of quantum search. In Chapter 8, we present a fixed-point quantum search algorithm. Its state evolution monotonically converges towards |t), unlike Grover’s algorithm where the evolution passes through |t) under iterations of the operator . In q steps, our algorithm monotonically reduces the failure probability, i.e. the probability of not getting |t), from . That is asymptotically optimal for monotonic convergence. Though the fixed-point algorithm is of not much use for , it is useful when and each oracle query is highly expensive. In Chapter 9, we conclude the thesis and present an overall outlook.

Random walks describe diffusion processes, where movement at every time step is restricted only to neighbouring locations. Classical random walks are constructed using the non-relativistic Laplacian evolution operator and a coin toss instruction. In quantum theory, an alternative is to use the relativistic Dirac operator. That necessarily introduces an internal degree of freedom (chirality), which may be identified with the coin. The resultant walk spreads quadratically faster than the classical one, and can be applied to a variety of graph theoretical problems. We study in detail the problem of spatial search, i.e. finding a marked site on a hypercubic lattice in d-dimensions. For d=1, the scaling behaviour of classical and quantum spatial search is the same due to the restriction on movement. On the other hand, the restriction on movement hardly matters for d ≥ 3, and scaling behaviour close to Grover’s optimal algorithm(which has no restriction on movement) can be achieved. d=2 is the borderline critical dimension, where infrared divergence in propagation leads to logarithmic slow down that can be minimised using clever chirality flips. In support of these analytic expectations, we present numerical simulation results for d=2 to d=9, using a lattice implementation of the Dirac operator inspired by staggered fermions. We optimise the parameters of the algorithm, and the simulation results demonstrate that the number of binary oracle calls required for d= 2 and d ≥ 3 spatial search problems are O(√NlogN) and O(√N) respectively. Moreover, with increasing d, the results approach the optimal behaviour of Grover’s algorithm(corresponding to mean field theory or d → ∞ limit). In particular, the d = 3 scaling behaviour is only about 25% higher than the optimal value.

A simplified model of a double quantum dot is presented and analyzed, with applications to spin-qubit quantum computation. The ability to trap single electrons in semiconductor nanostructures has led to the proposal of quantum computers with spin-based qubits coupled by the exchange interaction. Current theory predicts an exchange interaction with a -1 power-law dependence on the detuning ϵ, the energy offset between the two dots. However, experiment has shown a -3/2 power-law dependence on ϵ. Using WKB analysis, this thesis explores one possible source of the modified dependence, namely an ϵ-dependent tunnel coupling between the two wells. WKB quantization is used to find expressions for the tunnel coupling of a one-dimensional double-well, and these results are compared to the exact, numerical solutions, as determined by the finite difference method and the transfer matrix method. Small ϵ-dependent corrections to the tunnel coupling are observed. In typical cases, WKB correctly predicts a constant tunnel coupling at leading-order. WKB also predicts small ϵ-dependent corrections for typical cases and strongly ϵ-dependent tunnel couplings for certain exceptional cases. However, numerical simulations suggest that WKB is not accurate enough to analyze the small corrections, and is not valid in the exceptional cases. Deviations from the conventional form of the low-energy Hamiltonian for a double-well are also observed and discussed.

A simplified model of a double quantum dot is presented and analyzed, with applications to spin-qubit quantum computation. The ability to trap single electrons in semiconductor nanostructures has led to the proposal of quantum computers with spin-based qubits coupled by the exchange interaction. Current theory predicts an exchange interaction with a -1 power-law dependence on the detuning ϵ, the energy offset between the two dots. However, experiment has shown a -3/2 power-law dependence on ϵ. Using WKB analysis, this thesis explores one possible source of the modified dependence, namely an ϵ-dependent tunnel coupling between the two wells. WKB quantization is used to find expressions for the tunnel coupling of a one-dimensional double-well, and these results are compared to the exact, numerical solutions, as determined by the finite difference method and the transfer matrix method. Small ϵ-dependent corrections to the tunnel coupling are observed. In typical cases, WKB correctly predicts a constant tunnel coupling at leading-order. WKB also predicts small ϵ-dependent corrections for typical cases and strongly ϵ-dependent tunnel couplings for certain exceptional cases. However, numerical simulations suggest that WKB is not accurate enough to analyze the small corrections, and is not valid in the exceptional cases. Deviations from the conventional form of the low-energy Hamiltonian for a double-well are also observed and discussed.

Cold, trapped atomic ions have enabled the investigation of fundamental physics and generated a rich field of applications. Foremost among these is quantum computation which has recently driven the development of the sophisticated, scalable surface-electrode trap. Despite the many advantages of surface-electrode traps, the typically smaller ion-electrode distance, d, in these traps results in an increased ion heating rate that is proportional to d^(-4) and a decreased trap well-depth that is proportional to d^(-2). These shortcomings can be simultaneously addressed by installing the trap into a cryogenic environment. With this in mind, a closed-cycle, cryogenic ion trapping apparatus that maintains excellent vacuum, is highly modular, has increased optical access, and uses a simple vibration isolation system has been developed. Single ions are trapped and used to characterize system properties such as the motion of the vibration isolation stage. In order to compare this system to a similar room temperature apparatus, the ion trapping lifetime and heating rate are determined. A single ion also serves as a sensitive electric field probe that is used to measure and compensate stray electric fields across the trap. Due to the long dark ion lifetimes in this system, it is well-suited to probing the stability of small, linear ion crystals. Linear ion crystals of arbitrary length are built in an automated fashion using transport waveforms and the scaling of dark lifetime with ion number for N <= 6 is investigated. These data are then used to consider the relevance of various loss channels.