Passive correction of quantum logical errors in a driven, dissipative system: a blueprint for an analog quantum code fabric

TL;DR

This paper proposes a passive quantum error correction method using a driven, dissipative system to enhance quantum state lifetime, offering a blueprint for an analog quantum code fabric compatible with superconducting qubits.

Contribution

It introduces a novel passive error correction mechanism for quantum codes via engineered dissipation and long-range interactions, advancing toward self-correcting quantum memories.

Findings

Demonstrates a rate barrier increasing quantum state lifetime

Shows compatibility with active error correction schemes

Proposes a feasible implementation with superconducting qubits

Abstract

A physical realization of self correcting quantum code would be profoundly useful for constructing a quantum computer. In this theoretical work, we provide a partial solution to major challenges preventing self correcting quantum code from being engineered in realistic devices. We consider a variant of Kitaev's toric code coupled to propagating bosons, which induce a long-ranged interaction between anyonic defects. By coupling the primary quantum system to an engineered dissipation source through resonant energy transfer, we demonstrate a "rate barrier" which leads to a potentially enormous increase in the system's quantum state lifetime through purely passive quantum error correction, even when coupled to an infinite temperature bath. While our mechanism is not scalable to infinitely large systems, the maximum effective size can be very large, and it is fully compatible with active error correction schemes. Our model uses only on-site and nearest-neighbor interactions, and could be implemented in superconducting qubits. We sketch one such implementation at the end of this work.