Phonons, the ubiquitous quanta of vibrational energy, play a vital role in the performance of quantum technologies. Conversely, unintended coupling to phonons degrades qubit performance and can lead to correlated errors in superconducting qubit systems. Regardless of whether phonons play an enabling or deleterious role, they do not typically admit control over their spectral properties, nor the possibility of engineering their dissipation to be used as a resource. Here we show that coupling a superconducting qubit to a bath of piezoelectric surface acoustic wave phonons enables a novel platform for investigating open quantum systems. By shaping the loss spectrum of the qubit via the bath of lossy surface phonons, we demonstrate preparation and dynamical stabilization of superposition states through the combined effects of drive and dissipation. These experiments highlight the versatility of engineered phononic dissipation and advance the understanding of mechanical losses in superconducting qubit systems.
Dissipation can serve as a powerful resource for controlling the behavior of open quantum systems. Recently there has been a surge of interest in the influence of dissipative coupling on large quantum systems and, more specifically, how these processes can influence band topology and phenomena like many-body localization. Here, we explore the engineering of local, tunable dissipation in so-called synthetic lattices, arrays of quantum states that are parametrically coupled in a fashion analogous to quantum tunneling. Considering the specific case of momentum-state lattices, we investigate two distinct mechanisms for engineering controlled loss: one relying on an explicit form of dissipation by spontaneous emission, and another relying on reversible coupling to a large reservoir of unoccupied states. We experimentally implement the latter and demonstrate the ability to tune the local loss coefficient over a large range. The introduction of controlled loss to the synthetic lattice toolbox promises to pave the way for studying the interplay of dissipation with topology, disorder, and interactions.
more » « less- Award ID(s):
- 1707731
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10305664
- Publisher / Repository:
- IOP Publishing
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- New Journal of Physics
- Volume:
- 21
- Issue:
- 4
- ISSN:
- 1367-2630
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- Article No. 045006
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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