Probing untouchable environment as a resource for quantum computing

TL;DR

This paper explores how to leverage the environment surrounding a quantum system as a resource for quantum computing by probing and controlling its dynamics within a finite effective dimension.

Contribution

It demonstrates that parts of the environment can be probed and controlled to turn noise into a beneficial resource for quantum computation.

Findings

Environment can be probed within finite effective dimension

Control of environment dynamics is feasible in certain timescales

Noisy environment can be harnessed as a quantum computing resource

Abstract

When manipulating a quantum system $S$, its surrounding system, or \textit{environment}, $E$ induces unwanted effects. It is mainly due to its vastness and the lack of knowledge about the Hamiltonian $H_{SE}$ that governs the dynamics inside $E$ and the interaction with $S$. The detail of $H_{SE}$ is usually extremely hard to identify, since $E$ can hardly be measured or controlled directly. Nevertheless, here we show that it is possible to probe and control a part of, if not all, the dynamics involving $E$, within the timescale in which its effective dimension can be seen finite. That is, we may be able to let a noisy environment work in our favor as a part of quantum computer.