Developing a robust approach to implementing non-Abelian anyons and topological quantum computing in a modified Kitaev honeycomb lattice model

TL;DR

This paper proposes a modified Kitaev honeycomb model for topological quantum computing, demonstrating robustness against noise, confirming non-Abelian anyon statistics, and introducing methods to measure topological information via spin observables.

Contribution

It introduces a new variation of the Kitaev honeycomb model that enhances the practical implementation of topological quantum computation.

Findings

System exhibits robustness against noise

Non-Abelian anyons identified as Ising anyons

New techniques for measuring topological states

Abstract

Quantum computation provides a unique opportunity to explore new regimes of physical systems through the creation of non-trivial quantum states far outside of the classical limit. However, such computation is remarkably sensitive to noise and undergoes rapid dephasing in most cases. One potential solution to these prosaic concerns is to encode and process the information using topological manipulations of so-called anyons, particles in two dimensions with non-Abelian statistics. Unfortunately, practical implementation of such a topological system remains far from complete, both in terms of physical methods but also in terms of connecting the underlying topological field theory with a specific physical model, including the imperfections expected in any realistic device. Here we develop a complete picture of such topological quantum computation using a variation of the Kitaev honeycomb Hamiltonian as the basis for our approach. We show the robustness of this system against noise, confirm the non-Abelian statistics of the quasi-particles to be Ising anyons, and develop new techniques for turning topological information into measurable spin quantities.