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1. Reinforcement Learning with Neural Networks for Quantum Multiple Hypothesis Testing

   https://doi.org/10.1109/ISIT44484.2020.9174150  

   Brandsen, Sarah; Stubbs, Kevin D.; Pfister, Henry D. (June 2020, 2020 IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT))

   Reinforcement learning with neural networks (RLNN) has recently demonstrated great promise for many problems, including some problems in quantum information theory. In this work, we apply reinforcement learning to quantum hypothesis testing, where one designs measurements that can distinguish between multiple quantum states while minimizing the error probability. Although the Helstrom measurement is known to be optimal when there are m=2 states, the general problem of finding a minimal-error measurement is challenging. Additionally, in the case where the candidate states correspond to a quantum system with many qubit subsystems, implementing the optimal measurement on the entire system may be impractical. In this work, we develop locally-adaptive measurement strategies that are experimentally feasible in the sense that only one quantum subsystem is measured in each round. RLNN is used to find the optimal measurement protocol for arbitrary sets of tensor product quantum states. Numerical results for the network performance are shown. In special cases, the neural network testing-policy achieves the same probability of success as the optimal collective measurement. 

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2. Demonstration of optimal non-projective measurement of binary coherent states with photon counting

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-022-00595-3  

   DiMario, M. T.; Becerra, F. E. (July 2022, npj Quantum Information)

   Abstract Quantum state discrimination is a central problem in quantum measurement theory, with applications spanning from quantum communication to computation. Typical measurement paradigms for state discrimination involve a minimum probability of error or unambiguous discrimination with a minimum probability of inconclusive results. Alternatively, an optimal inconclusive measurement, a non-projective measurement, achieves minimal error for a given inconclusive probability. This more general measurement encompasses the standard measurement paradigms for state discrimination and provides a much more powerful tool for quantum information and communication. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the optimal inconclusive measurement for the discrimination of binary coherent states using linear optics and single-photon detection. Our demonstration uses coherent displacement operations based on interference, single-photon detection, and fast feedback to prepare the optimal feedback policy for the optimal non-projective quantum measurement with high fidelity. This generalized measurement allows us to transition among standard measurement paradigms in an optimal way from minimum error to unambiguous measurements for binary coherent states. As a particular case, we use this general measurement to implement the optimal minimum error measurement for phase-coherent states, which is the optimal modulation for communications under the average power constraint. Moreover, we propose a hybrid measurement that leverages the binary optimal inconclusive measurement in conjunction with sequential, unambiguous state elimination to realize higher dimensional inconclusive measurements of coherent states. 

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3. Protocol for Nonlinear State Discrimination in Rotating Condensate

   https://doi.org/10.1002/qute.202300431  

   Geller, Michael_R (May 2024, Advanced Quantum Technologies)

   Abstract Nonlinear mean field dynamics enables quantum information processing operations that are impossible in linear one‐particle quantum mechanics. In this approach, a register of bosonic qubits (such as neutral atoms or polaritons) is initialized into a symmetric product state through condensation, then subsequently controlled by varying the qubit‐qubit interaction. An experimental implementation of quantum state discrimination, an important subroutine in quantum computation, with a toroidal Bose–Einstein condensate is proposed. The condensed bosons here are atoms, each in the same superposition of angular momenta 0 and , encoding a qubit. A nice feature of the protocol is that only a readout of individual quantized circulation states (not superpositions) is required. 

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4. The unitary dependence theory for characterizing quantum circuits and states

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-023-01188-y  

   Hu, Zixuan; Kais, Sabre (April 2023, Communications Physics)

   Abstract Most existing quantum algorithms are discovered accidentally or adapted from classical algorithms, and there is the need for a systematic theory to understand and design quantum circuits. Here we develop a unitary dependence theory to characterize the behaviors of quantum circuits and states in terms of how quantum gates manipulate qubits and determine their measurement probabilities. Compared to the conventional entanglement description of quantum circuits and states, the unitary dependence picture offers more practical information on the measurement and manipulation of qubits, easier generalization to many-qubit systems, and better robustness upon partitioning of the system. The unitary dependence theory can be applied to systematically understand existing quantum circuits and design new quantum algorithms. 

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5. Quantum communication with itinerant surface acoustic wave phonons

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-021-00511-1  

   Dumur, É.; Satzinger, K. J.; Peairs, G. A.; Chou, M. -H.; Bienfait, A.; Chang, H. -S.; Conner, C. R.; Grebel, J.; Povey, R. G.; Zhong, Y. P.; et al (December 2021, npj Quantum Information)

   Abstract Surface acoustic waves are commonly used in classical electronics applications, and their use in quantum systems is beginning to be explored, as evidenced by recent experiments using acoustic Fabry–Pérot resonators. Here we explore their use for quantum communication, where we demonstrate a single-phonon surface acoustic wave transmission line, which links two physically separated qubit nodes. Each node comprises a microwave phonon transducer, an externally controlled superconducting variable coupler, and a superconducting qubit. Using this system, precisely shaped individual itinerant phonons are used to coherently transfer quantum information between the two physically distinct quantum nodes, enabling the high-fidelity node-to-node transfer of quantum states as well as the generation of a two-node Bell state. We further explore the dispersive interactions between an itinerant phonon emitted from one node and interacting with the superconducting qubit in the remote node. The observed interactions between the phonon and the remote qubit promise future quantum-optics-style experiments with itinerant phonons. 

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