Non-perturbative switching rates in bistable open quantum systems: from driven Kerr oscillators to dissipative cat qubits

TL;DR

This paper develops a path integral method to accurately predict switching rates in bistable open quantum systems, especially for quantum computing applications like cat qubits, without relying on extensive numerical simulations.

Contribution

It generalizes existing analytical techniques to quantum systems with hidden time-reversal symmetry, providing precise error rate estimates for quantum computing architectures.

Findings

Provides analytical estimates of bit-flip error rates in cat qubits

Extends path integral techniques to quantum systems with hidden time-reversal symmetry

Enables exploration of switching phenomena in multistable quantum systems

Abstract

In this work, we use path integral techniques to predict the switching rate in a single-mode bistable open quantum system. While analytical expressions are well-known to be accessible for systems subject to Gaussian noise obeying classical detailed balance, we generalize this approach to a class of quantum systems, those which satisfy the recently-introduced hidden time-reversal symmetry [1]. In particular, in the context of quantum computing, we deliver precise estimates of bit-flip error rates in cat-qubit architectures, circumventing the need for costly numerical simulations. Our results open new avenues for exploring switching phenomena in multistable single- and many-body open quantum systems.