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The bubble nuclei are important components of exotic nuclear structures characterized by special depletions of central densities. Focusing on bubble structures of $^{36}$Ar, the characterizations of bubble nuclei were explored with the framework of the extended quantum molecular dynamics model. Three density distribution modes were uncovered for the first time, i.e. micro-bubble, bubble, and cluster resonances, which show unique spectral signature compared to the monopole resonance spectrum as the excitation intensity was increased in bubbles. Of pivotal importance is the revelation that the bubble mode's oscillation frequency closely resembles macroscopic bubble dynamics, building a connection between classical macroscopic phenomena and the quantum complexity of the nuclear structure. The discovery marks a crucial step forward in deciphering the relationship between classical and quantum domains within the enigmatic world of atomic nuclei.

A photonic system with a tunable bath environment provides an extra degree of freedom for quantum simulators. Such a system can be realized by parametrically modulating the coupling between the system and bath. In this letter, by coupling a transmon qubit to a lossy Superconducting Nonlinear Asymmetric Inductive eLement (SNAIL) mode, we experimentally create a tunable chemical potential for the qubit mode. We show that the qubit can be thermalized to equilibrium with different population distributions under different parametric pumping conditions. We further extend our method to the third level of the transmon, showing its practical use beyond the simple two-level case. Our results provide a useful tool that can be readily integrated with quantum simulators that would benefit from a non-trivial photon population distribution., Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures

Modular architectures are a promising approach to scale quantum devices to the point of fault tolerance and utility. Modularity is particularly appealing for superconducting qubits, as monolithically manufactured devices are limited in both system size and quality. Constructing complex quantum systems as networks of interchangeable modules can overcome this challenge through `Lego-like' assembly, reconfiguration, and expansion, in a spirit similar to modern classical computers. First prototypical superconducting quantum device networks have been demonstrated. Interfaces that simultaneously permit interchangeability and high-fidelity operations remain a crucial challenge, however. Here, we demonstrate a high-efficiency interconnect based on a detachable cable between superconducting qubit devices. We overcome the inevitable loss in a detachable connection through a fast pump scheme, enabling inter-module SWAP efficiencies at the 99%-level in less than 100 ns. We use this scheme to generate high-fidelity entanglement and operate a distributed logical dual-rail qubit. At the observed ~1% error rate, operations through the interconnect are at the threshold for fault-tolerance. These results introduce a modular architecture for scaling quantum processors with reconfigurable and expandable networks., Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures, 1 table

We introduce MindSpore Quantum, a pioneering hybrid quantum-classical framework with a primary focus on the design and implementation of noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) algorithms. Leveraging the robust support of MindSpore, an advanced open-source deep learning training/inference framework, MindSpore Quantum exhibits exceptional efficiency in the design and training of variational quantum algorithms on both CPU and GPU platforms, delivering remarkable performance. Furthermore, this framework places a strong emphasis on enhancing the operational efficiency of quantum algorithms when executed on real quantum hardware. This encompasses the development of algorithms for quantum circuit compilation and qubit mapping, crucial components for achieving optimal performance on quantum processors. In addition to the core framework, we introduce QuPack, a meticulously crafted quantum computing acceleration engine. QuPack significantly accelerates the simulation speed of MindSpore Quantum, particularly in variational quantum eigensolver (VQE), quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA), and tensor network simulations, providing astonishing speed. This combination of cutting-edge technologies empowers researchers and practitioners to explore the frontiers of quantum computing with unprecedented efficiency and performance.

Active Target Time Projection Chambers (AT-TPCs) are state-of-the-art tools in the field of low-energy nuclear physics, particularly suitable for experiments using low-intensity radioactive ion beams or gamma rays. The Fudan Multi-purpose Active Target Time Projection Chamber (fMeta-TPC) with 2048 channels has been developed to study $\alpha$-clustering nuclei. {\fcb In this work, the focus is on the study of the photonuclear reaction with the Laser Compton Scattering (LCS) gamma source, especially for the decay of the highly excited $\alpha$-cluster state.} The design of fMeta-TPC is described and a comprehensive evaluation of its offline performance is performed by ultraviolet (UV) laser and $^{241}$Am $\alpha$ source. The result shows that the intrinsic angular resolution of the detector is within 0.30$^{\circ}$ and has an energy resolution of 6.85\% for 3.0 MeV $\alpha$ particles. The gain uniformity of the detector is about 10\% (RMS/Mean), tested by the $^{55}$Fe X-ray source., Comment: 10 pages, 12 figures

Nonreciprocal microwave routing plays a crucial role for measuring quantum circuits, and allows for realizing cascaded quantum systems for generating and stabilizing entanglement between non-interacting qubits. The most commonly used tools for implementing directionality are ferrite-based circulators. These devices are versatile, but suffer from excess loss, a large footprint, and fixed directionality. For utilizing nonreciprocity in scalable quantum circuits it is desirable to develop efficient integration of low-loss and in-situ controllable directional elements. Here, we report the design and experimental realization of a controllable directional interface that may be integrated directly with superconducting qubits. In the presented device, nonreciprocity is realized through a combination of interference and phase-controlled parametric pumping. We have achieved a maximum directionality of around 30\,dB, and the performance of the device is predicted quantitatively from independent calibration measurements. Using the excellent agreement of model and experiment, we predict that the circuit will be useable as a chiral qubit interface with inefficiencies at the one-percent level or below. Our work provides a route toward isolator-free qubit readout schemes and high-fidelity entanglement generation in all-to-all connected networks of superconducting quantum devices., Comment: 20 pages, 13 figures

The synthetic Floquet lattice, generated by multiple strong drives with mutually incommensurate frequencies, provides a powerful platform for the quantum simulation of topological phenomena. In this study, we propose a 4-band tight-binding model of the Chern insulator with a Chern number C = $\pm$2 by coupling two layers of the half-BHZ lattice and subsequently mapping it onto the Floquet lattice to simulate its topological properties. To determine the Chern number of our Floquet-version model, we extend the energy pumping method proposed by Martin et al. [Phys. Rev. X 7, 041008 (2017)] and the topological oscillation method introduced by Boyers et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 160505 (2020)], followed by numerical simulations for both methodologies. The simulation results demonstrate the successful extraction of the Chern number using either of these methods, providing an excellent prediction of the phase diagram that closely aligns with the theoretical one derived from the original bilayer half-BHZ model. Finally, we briefly discuss a potential experimental implementation for our model. Our work demonstrates significant potential for simulating complex topological matter using quantum computing platforms, thereby paving the way for constructing a more universal simulator for non-interacting topological quantum states and advancing our understanding of these intriguing phenomena.

The control of flying qubits carried by itinerant photons is ubiquitous in quantum communication networks. In addition to their logical states, the shape of flying qubits must also be tailored to match the remote receiver. In this paper, we introduce the quantum optimal control theory to the design of flying-qubit shaping protocols. A gradient-based algorithm is proposed for the generation of arbitrary-shape flying qubits with general non-ideal emitters. Simulations show that, as a joint control with the traditionally used tunable coupler, coherent driving fields can be applied to the shaping when the coupling strength is fixed or limited. The optimized control protocols can effectively suppress unwanted level leakage and multi-photon radiation. The method provides a systematic approach to high-fidelity control of flying qubits using realistic quantum devices., Comment: 9 pages,6 figures

Establishing limits of entanglement in open quantum systems is a problem of fundamental interest, with strong implications for applications in quantum information science. Here, we study limits of entanglement stabilization between remote qubits. We theoretically investigate the loss resilience of driven-dissipative entanglement between remote qubits coupled to a chiral waveguide. We find that by coupling a pair of storage qubits to the two driven qubits, the steady state can be tailored such that the storage qubits show a degree of entanglement that is higher than what can be achieved with only two driven qubits coupled to the waveguide. By reducing the degree of entanglement of the driven qubits, we show that the entanglement between the storage qubits becomes more resilient to waveguide loss. Our analytical and numerical results offer insights into how waveguide loss limits the degree of entanglement in this driven-dissipative system, and offers important guidance for remote entanglement stabilization in the laboratory, for example using superconducting circuits., Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures

Fastness and robustness are both critical in the implementation of high-fidelity gates for quantum computation, but in practice, a trade-off has to be made between them. In this paper, we investigate the underlying robust time-optimal control problem so as to make the best balance. Based on the Taylor expansion of the system's unitary propagator, we formulate the design problem as the optimal control of an augmented finite-dimensional system at its quantum speed limit (QSL), where the robustness is graded by the degree of series truncation. The gradient-descent algorithm is then introduced to sequentially seek QSLs corresponding to different orders of robustness. Numerical simulations for single-qubit systems show that the obtained time-optimal control pulses can effectively suppress gate errors (to the prescribed robustness order) caused by qubit frequency and field amplitude uncertainties. These results provide a practical guide for selecting pulse lengths in the pulse-level compilation of quantum circuits.

Increasing the fidelity of single-qubit gates requires a combination of faster pulses and increased qubit coherence. However, with resonant qubit drive via a capacitively coupled port, these two objectives are mutually contradictory, as higher qubit quality factor requires a weaker coupling, necessitating longer pulses for the same applied power. Increasing drive power, on the other hand, can heat the qubit's environment and degrade coherence. In this work, by using the inherent non-linearity of the transmon qubit, we circumvent this issue by introducing a new parametric driving scheme to perform single-qubit control. Specifically, we achieve rapid gate speed by pumping the transmon's native Kerr term at approximately one third of the qubit's resonant frequency. Given that transmons typically operate within a fairly narrow range of anharmonicity, this technique is applicable to all transmons. In both theory and experiment, we show that the Rabi rate of the process is proportional to applied drive amplitude cubed, allowing for rapid gate speed with only modest increases in applied power. In addition, we demonstrate that filtering can be used to protect the qubit's coherence while performing rapid gates, and present theoretical calculations indicating that decay due to multi-photon losses, even in very strongly coupled drive lines, will not limit qubit lifetime. We demonstrate $\pi/2$ pulses as short as tens of nanoseconds with fidelity as high as 99.7\%, limited by the modest coherence of our transmon. We also present calculations indicating that this technique could reduce cryostat heating for fast gates, a vital requirement for large-scale quantum computers.

Machine learning can be substantially powered by a quantum computer owing to its huge Hilbert space and inherent quantum parallelism. In the pursuit of quantum advantages for machine learning with noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices, it was proposed that the learning model can be designed in an end-to-end fashion, i.e., the quantum ansatz is parameterized by directly manipulable control pulses without circuit design and compilation. Such gate-free models are hardware friendly and can fully exploit limited quantum resources. Here, we report the first experimental realization of quantum end-to-end machine learning on a superconducting processor. The trained model can achieve 98% recognition accuracy for two handwritten digits (via two qubits) and 89% for four digits (via three qubits) in the MNIST (Mixed National Institute of Standards and Technology) database. The experimental results exhibit the great potential of quantum end-to-end learning for resolving complex real-world tasks when more qubits are available., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures and supplement

One of the primary challenges in realizing large-scale quantum processors is the realization of qubit couplings that balance interaction strength, connectivity, and mode confinement. Moreover, it is very desirable for the device elements to be detachable, allowing components to be built, tested, and replaced independently. In this work, we present a microwave quantum state router, centered on parametrically driven, Josephson-junction based three-wave mixing, that realizes all-to-all couplings among four detachable quantum modules. We demonstrate coherent exchange among all four communication modes, with an average full-iSWAP time of 764ns and average inferred inter-module exchange fidelity of 0.969, limited by mode coherence. We also demonstrate photon transfer and pairwise entanglement between module qubits, and parallel operation of simultaneous iSWAP exchange across the router. Our router-module architecture serves as a prototype of modular quantum computer that has great potential for enabling flexible, demountable, large-scale quantum networks of superconducting qubits and cavities.

Due to their high coherence, a laser is a ubiquitous tool in science. We show that by engineering the coupling between the gain medium and the laser cavity as well as the laser cavity and the output port, it is possible to eliminate most of the noise due to photons entering as well as leaving the laser cavity. Hence, it is possible to reduce the laser linewidth by a factor equal to the number of photons in the laser cavity below the standard quantum limit. We design and theoretically analyze a superconducting circuit that uses Josephson junctions, capacitors and inductors to implement a microwave laser, including the low-noise couplers that allow the design to surpass the standard quantum limit. Our proposal relies on the elements of superconducting quantum information, and thus is an example of how quantum engineering techniques can inspire us to re-imagine the limits of conventional quantum systems., Comment: 34 pages, 23 figures

For a Markov decision process with countably infinite states, the optimal value may not be achievable in the set of stationary policies. In this paper, we study the existence conditions of an optimal stationary policy in a countable-state Markov decision process under the long-run average criterion. With a properly defined metric on the policy space of ergodic MDPs, the existence of an optimal stationary policy can be guaranteed by the compactness of the space and the continuity of the long-run average cost with respect to the metric. We further extend this condition by some assumptions which can be easily verified in control problems of specific systems, such as queueing systems. Our results make a complementary contribution to the literature in the sense that our method is capable to handle the cost function unbounded from both below and above, only at the condition of continuity and ergodicity. Several examples are provided to illustrate the application of our main results., Comment: 25 pages

While coherently-driven Kerr microcavities have rapidly matured as a platform for frequency comb formation, such microresonators generally possess weak Kerr coefficients; consequently, triggering comb generation requires millions of photons to be circulating inside the cavity. This suppresses the role of quantum fluctuations in the comb's dynamics. In this paper, we realize a minimal version of coherently-driven Kerr-mediated microwave frequency combs in the circuit QED architecture, where the quantum vacuum's fluctuations are the primary limitation on comb coherence. We achieve a comb phase coherence of up to 35~$\mu$s, approaching the theoretical device quantum limit of 55~$\mu$s, and vastly longer than the modes' inherent lifetimes of 13~ns. The ability within cQED to engineer stronger nonlinearities than optical microresonators, together with operation at cryogenic temperatures, and excellent agreement of comb dynamics with quantum theory indicates a promising platform for the study of complex dynamics of quantum nonlinear systems

Toward quantum machine learning deployed on imperfect near-term intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) processors, the entire physical implementation of should include as less as possible hand-designed modules with only a few ad-hoc parameters to be determined. This work presents such a hardware-friendly end-to-end quantum machine learning scheme that can be implemented with imperfect near-term intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) processors. The proposal transforms the machine learning task to the optimization of controlled quantum dynamics, in which the learning model is parameterized by experimentally tunable control variables. Our design also enables automated feature selection by encoding the raw input to quantum states through agent control variables. Comparing with the gate-based parameterized quantum circuits, the proposed end-to-end quantum learning model is easy to implement as there are only few ad-hoc parameters to be determined. Numerical simulations on the benchmarking MNIST dataset demonstrate that the model can achieve high performance using only 3-5 qubits without downsizing the dataset, which shows great potential for accomplishing large-scale real-world learning tasks on NISQ processors.arning models. The scheme is promising for efficiently performing large-scale real-world learning tasks using intermediate-scale quantum processors., Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures

Within an improved transport model, we examine effects of the high momentum tail of the nucleon momentum distribution induced by short-range correlations on the proton-proton momentum correlation function in $^{197}$Au+$^{197}$Au collisions at 400 MeV/nucleon. It is found that the proton-proton momentum correlation function from preequilibrium emissions responds sensitively to the presence as well as fraction of nucleons in the high momentum tail of the nucleon momentum distribution, but is almost robustly insensitive to other factors including the symmetry energy and the uncertainty of cutoff value of nucleon effective high momentum. In terms of the sensitivity and clearness, we propose that the proton-proton momentum correlation function from preequilibrium emissions can be as an effective probe of the high momentum tail of the nucleon momentum distribution., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review C