Creation and manipulation of surface code defects with quantum optimal control

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how quantum optimal control techniques can be used to create and manipulate surface code defects more rapidly than traditional adiabatic methods, advancing quantum error correction capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of quantum optimal control to surface code defect operations, replacing slow adiabatic protocols with faster, more efficient methods.

Findings

Quantum optimal control enables faster defect creation.

Defect operations are achieved without adiabatic constraints.

Potential for improved quantum error correction performance.

Abstract

The surface code is a spin-1/2 lattice system that can exhibit non-trivial topological order when defects are punctured in the lattice and thus can be used as a stabiliser code. The protocols developed to create defects in the system have previously relied on adiabatic dynamics. In this work we use techniques of quantum optimal control to overcome the requirement for adiabaticity and achieve defect creation and implemention of other important operations required for quantum computation at much faster timescales.