Process tomography of Robust Dynamical Decoupling in Superconducting Qubits

TL;DR

This study uses quantum process tomography on Rigetti's superconducting qubits to evaluate and improve dynamical decoupling sequences, highlighting their limitations and potential for robustness against experimental imperfections.

Contribution

It provides a detailed process tomography analysis of dynamical decoupling in superconducting qubits and demonstrates the effectiveness of robust sequences over previous methods.

Findings

Dynamical decoupling reduces qubit dephasing but not spontaneous emission.

Performance limited by pulse imperfections.

Robust sequences outperform previous methods.

Abstract

Dynamical decoupling is a technique that protects qubits against noise. The ability to preserve quantum coherence in the presence of noise is essential for the development of quantum devices. Here the Rigetti quantum computing platform was used to test different dynamical decoupling sequences. The performance of the sequences was characterized by Quantum Process Tomography and analyzed using the quantum channels formalism. It is shown that dynamical decoupling can reduce qubit dephasing but cannot protect against spontaneous emission. Furthermore, from process tomography results, it was also possible to conclude that the action of dynamical decoupling cannot be understood as a simple modification of the qubit coherence time. It is also shown here that the performance of dynamical decoupling on the Rigetti's qubits is limited by pulse imperfections. However, the performance can be improved using robust dynamical decoupling, i.e. sequences that are robust against experimental imperfections. The sequences tested here outperformed previous dynamical decoupling sequences tested in the same platform.