Semiconductor-based electron flying qubits: Review on recent progress accelerated by numerical modelling

TL;DR

This review discusses recent advances in semiconductor-based electron flying qubits, emphasizing how numerical modelling accelerates their development and addresses technological challenges in quantum device engineering.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of pathways to realize electron flying qubits and highlights the role of numerical simulations in their design and optimization.

Findings

Numerical simulations facilitate the engineering of electron flying qubits.

Experimental results demonstrate viable pathways for single-electron transport.

Software tools like KWANT and nextnano are crucial for quantum device design.

Abstract

The progress of charge manipulation in semiconductor-based nanoscale devices opened up a novel route to realise a flying qubit with a single electron. In the present review, we introduce the concept of these electron flying qubits, discuss their most promising realisations and show how numerical simulations are applicable to accelerate experimental development cycles. Addressing the technological challenges of flying qubits that are currently faced by academia and quantum enterprises, we underline the relevance of interdisciplinary cooperation to move emerging quantum industry forward. The review consists of two main sections: Pathways towards the electron flying qubit: We address three routes of single-electron transport in GaAs-based devices focusing on surface acoustic waves, hot-electron emission from quantum dot pumps and Levitons. For each approach, we discuss latest experimental results and point out how numerical simulations facilitate engineering the electron flying qubit. Numerical modelling of quantum devices: We review the full stack of numerical simulations needed for fabrication of the flying qubits. Choosing appropriate models, examples of basic quantum mechanical simulations are explained in detail. We discuss applications of open-source (KWANT) and the commercial (nextnano) platforms for modelling the flying qubits. The discussion points out the large relevance of software tools to design quantum devices tailored for efficient operation.