Non-Markovian Quantum Process Tomography


Abstract in English

Characterisation protocols have so far played a central role in the development of noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers capable of impressive quantum feats. This trajectory is expected to continue in building the next generation of devices: ones that can surpass classical computers for particular tasks -- but progress in characterisation must keep up with the complexities of intricate device noise. A missing piece in the zoo of characterisation procedures is tomography which can completely describe non-Markovian dynamics. Here, we formally introduce a generalisation of quantum process tomography, which we call process tensor tomography. We detail the experimental requirements, construct the necessary post-processing algorithms for maximum-likelihood estimation, outline the best-practice aspects for accurate results, and make the procedure efficient for low-memory processes. The characterisation is the pathway to diagnostics and informed control of correlated noise. As an example application of the technique, we improve multi-time circuit fidelities on IBM Quantum devices for both standalone qubits and in the presence of crosstalk to a level comparable with the fault-tolerant noise threshold in a variety of different noise conditions. Our methods could form the core for carefully developed software that may help hardware consistently pass the fault-tolerant noise threshold.

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