Noise-assisted quantum transport and computation

TL;DR

This paper explores how environmental noise can improve classical information transfer in quantum systems by overcoming localization effects, but also impairs entanglement creation, impacting quantum computation.

Contribution

It establishes a theoretical link between noise-assisted transport and classical computation, highlighting the dual role of noise in quantum devices.

Findings

Noise helps overcome localization in quantum transport.

Noise facilitates classical computation on quantum devices.

Noise impedes entanglement generation.

Abstract

The transmission of an excitation along a spin chain can be hindered by the presence of small fixed imperfections that create trapping regions where the excitation may get caught (Anderson localization). A certain degree of noise, ensuing from the interaction with a thermal bath, allows to overcome localization (noise-assisted transport). In this paper we investigate the relation between noise-assisted transport and (quantum) computation. In particular we prove that noise does assist classical computation on a quantum computing device but hinders the possibility of creating entanglement.