Quantum error correction benchmarks for continuous weak parity measurements

TL;DR

This paper introduces an experimental benchmarking method for quantum error correction schemes focusing on continuous weak parity measurements, demonstrating that certain circuit QED measurements are nearly suitable for QEC.

Contribution

The authors propose a practical procedure to evaluate the effectiveness of measurement schemes for quantum error correction, enabling component-wise experimental testing.

Findings

Certain parity measurements in circuit QED are nearly useful for QEC.

The benchmarking scheme allows assessment of individual QEC components.

Numerical simulations support the potential of these measurements for QEC.

Abstract

We present an experimental procedure to determine the usefulness of a measurement scheme for quantum error correction (QEC). A QEC scheme typically requires the ability to prepare entangled states, to carry out multi-qubit measurements, and to perform certain recovery operations conditioned on measurement outcomes. As a consequence, the experimental benchmark of a QEC scheme is a tall order because it requires the conjuncture of many elementary components. Our scheme opens the path to experimental benchmarks of individual components of QEC. Our numerical simulations show that certain parity measurements realized in circuit quantum electrodynamics are on the verge of being useful for QEC.