Quantum metamaterial without local control

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to create a spatially-periodic quantum state in a 1D qubit array without local control, using priming pulses to induce a quantum photonic crystal.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to realize quantum metamaterials by using priming pulses, eliminating the need for direct qubit control.

Findings

Spatially-periodic quantum states can be achieved without local control.

Priming pulses determine the properties of the quantum photonic crystal.

Method is generalizable to other quantum metamaterial implementations.

Abstract

A quantum metamaterial can be implemented as a quantum coherent 1D array of qubits placed in a transmission line. The properties of quantum metamaterials are determined by the local quantum state of the system. Here we show that a spatially-periodic quantum state of such a system can be realized without direct control of the constituent qubits, by their interaction with the initializing ("priming") pulses sent through the system in opposite directions. The properties of the resulting quantum photonic crystal are determined by the choice of the priming pulses. This proposal can be readily generalized to other implementations of quantum metamaterials.