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We present an algorithm to reliably generate various quantum states critical to quantum error correction and universal continuous-variable (CV) quantum computing, such as Schrödinger cat states and Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) grid states, out of Gaussian CV cluster states. Our algorithm is based on the Photon-counting-Assisted Node-Teleportation Method (PhANTM), which uses standard Gaussian information processing on the cluster state with the only addition of local photon-number-resolving measurements. We show that PhANTM can apply polynomial gates and embed cat states within the cluster. This method stabilizes cat states against Gaussian noise and perpetuates non-Gaussianity within the cluster. We show that existing protocols for breeding cat states can be embedded into cluster state processing using PhANTM. 

The prototype quantum random number (random bit) generator (QRNG) consists of one photon at a time falling on a 50:50 beam splitter followed by random detection in one or the other output beams due to the irreducible probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. Due to the difficulties in producing single photons on demand, in practice, pulses of weak coherent (laser) light are used. In this paper, we take a different approach, one that uses moderate coherent light. It is shown that a QRNG can be implemented by performing photon-number parity measurements. For moderate coherent light, the probabilities of obtaining even or odd parity in photon counts are 0.5 each. Photon counting with single-photon resolution can be performed through use of a cascade of beam splitters and single-photon detectors, as was done recently in a photon-number parity-based interferometry experiment involving coherent light. We highlight the point that unlike most quantum-based random number generators, our proposal does not require the use of classical de-biasing algorithms or post-processing of the generated bit sequence.

 

Continuous-variable quantum-computing is the most scalable implementation of QC to date but requires non-Gaussian resources to allow exponential speedup and quantum correction, using error encoding such as Gottesman–Kitaev–Preskill (GKP) states. However, GKP state generation is still an experimental challenge. We show theoretically that photon catalysis, the interference of coherent states with single-photon states followed by photon-number-resolved detection, is a powerful enabler for non-Gaussian quantum state engineering such as exactly displaced single-photon states andM-symmetric superpositions of squeezed vacuum (SSV), including squeezed cat states (M= 2). By including photon-counting based state breeding, we demonstrate the potential to enlarge SSV states and produce GKP states.