Probing Anderson Localization using the Dynamics of a Qubit

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how the dynamics of a qubit can be used to probe Anderson localization, revealing that disorder influences qubit relaxation and decoherence rates, with implications for quantum device design.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method linking qubit relaxation dynamics to Anderson localization properties, enabling disorder characterization through qubit behavior.

Findings

Qubit relaxation rate is related to localization properties.

Adding static disorder can reduce qubit decoherence.

Disorder can be used to improve qubit performance.

Abstract

Anderson localization is a consequence of coherent interference of multiple scattering events in the presence of disorder, which leads to an exponential suppression of the transmission. The decay of the transmission is typically probed at a given energy or frequency. Here we show that this decay affects the dynamics of a qubit coupled to the disordered system and we express the relaxation rate of the qubit in terms of the localization properties. Conversely, adding static disorder to a channel coupled to a qubit will reduce the decoherence rate of the qubit. Hence, when designing electrodes that couple to qubits it is possible to improve their performance by adding impurities to the channel.