Robust digital optimal control on IBM quantum computers

TL;DR

This paper introduces a systematic method for designing robust digital quantum control pulses compatible with hardware constraints, demonstrated experimentally on IBM quantum computers to achieve high-fidelity qubit operations.

Contribution

It presents a novel procedure to convert continuous quantum control into robust digital pulses suitable for current quantum hardware.

Findings

Successful implementation on IBM quantum computers

Achieved robust qubit transfer in 382 ns

Efficient control with limited pulse parameters

Abstract

The ability of pulse-shaping devices to generate accurately quantum optimal control is a strong limitation to the development of quantum technologies. We propose and demonstrate a systematic procedure to design robust digital control processes adapted to such experimental constraints. We show to what extent this digital pulse can be obtained from its continuous-time counterpart. A remarkable efficiency can be achieved even for a limited number of pulse parameters. We experimentally implement the protocols on IBM quantum computers for a single qubit, obtaining an optimal robust transfer in a time T = 382 ns.