Dynamic defects in the surface code with a transverse field

ORAL

Abstract

Topologically-ordered quantum states with abelian excitations can host defects that obey effective non-abelian statistics, in principle allowing for quantum information processing via defect braiding. However these defects (or "twists") are typically viewed as static features of the lattice, thereby preventing such "defect braiding" in real material systems. We instead consider a model of synthetic and dynamic defects, generated in a surface code under the application of a transverse field, as proposed by You, Jian, and Wen [Phys. Rev. B 87, 045106 (2013)]. We study the time dependence of these states under application of the field, the changes in topological degeneracy, and prospects for dynamically braiding and observing non-abelian phenomena. We anticipate these manipulations can be implemented on near-term quantum computers to realize real-time synthetic non-abelian dynamics.

*This research was supported by the Quantum Science Center (QSC), a National Quantum Science Initiative of the Department Of Energy (DOE), managed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy. The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes. The Department of Energy will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan (http://energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan).

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Presenters

  • Phillip Charles Lotshaw

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Authors

  • Paul Matthew Kairys

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • Phillip Charles Lotshaw

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory