ProfessorMichael Biercuk

Project Opportunities

Title: Quantum Control with Trapped Ions

Summary of opportunity:

This project aims to develop novel techniques for the control of quantum systems using trapped atomic ions.

Opportunity synopsis:

A primary focus of our research on trapped ions is the development of efficient and robust control techniques for arbitrary quantum systems in the presence of environmental noise. Decoherence - the decay of the ""quantumness"" of a state - is a major challenge for any quantum system, and requires a dedicated effort to produce error-resistant approaches to quantum control.Open-loop coherent control protocols provide a means to dynamically suppress random errors in quantum systems, addressing a primary challenge in quantum technology. Our work aims to expand the efficacy and applicability of dynamical decoupling for use in any coherent technology - establishing a fundamental role for these techniques as quantum firmware. We have recently formulated an efficient and user-friendly ""filter-design"" framework to understanding the performance of various open-loop control protocols. Outstanding challenges include the suppression of universal decoherence, the development of new optimization techniques, and the dynamical protection of nontrivial logic operations. Our experimental efforts employ trapped atomic ions as a model quantum system, and permit detailed studies of quantum dynamics in noisy environments.The Quantum Control Laboratory, housed in the Sydney Nanoscience Hub, is a world-class research facility. Experience gained in this project will cover atomic physics, light-matter interaction, magnetic resonance, microwave systems, and quantum control.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Quantum Enabled Sensing

Summary of opportunity:

Development of new quantum-enabled sensors providing unrivalled performance across a range of applications.

Opportunity synopsis:

Trapped ions are exquisite sensors of external forces and fields. Experiments have demonstrated that trapped ion crystals are the most sensitive force detectors known, outperforming rival technologies by more than three orders of magnitude. Our work in this field has earned M.J. Biercuk the 2011 NMI Prize for Excellence in Measurement Science.We are exploiting normal modes of ion motion, spin coherence, and novel quantum control techniques to produce novel force and field sensors with unrivaled performance. Ultimately we hope to produce deployable ion-based sensors leveraging the device fabrication capabilities of the Australian Institute of Nanoscience.The Quantum Control Laboratory, housed in the Sydney Nanoscience Hub, is a world-class research facility. Experience gained in this project will cover atomic physics, light-matter interaction, magnetic resonance, microwave systems, and quantum control.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Quantum Simulation and Large-Scale Entanglement

Summary of opportunity:

Developing techniques for the study of large-scale quantum simulators based on crystals of trapped atomic ions.

Opportunity synopsis:

Our work aims to study the dynamics of large-scale entangled systems and to produce useful, controllable quantum simulators. This work involves detailed theoretical studies and experiments using trapped atomic ions.Ion crystals in a Penning trap provide a two-dimensional qubit array with regular structure. This system is ideal for the realization of large-scale entanglement and useful quantum simulators via state-selective spin-motional interaction. Our work aims to engineer designer Hamiltonians for studies of quantum simulation and the dynamics of large entangled states. The particular states we are aiming to create may prove useful for studies of quantum magnetism and spin liquids. The Quantum Control Laboratory, housed in the Sydney Nanoscience Hub, is a world-class research facility.  Experience gained in this project will cover atomic physics, light-matter interaction, magnetic resonance, microwave systems, and quantum control.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Quantum Control Theory

Summary of opportunity:

We address the challenge of creating efficient, error-resilient quantum control approaches for use in future quantum technologies.

Opportunity synopsis:

The Quantum Control Laboratory is a research group focused on the control and manipulation quantum coherent systems. Part of this research activity requires the development of new quantum control techniques via theoretical exploration. Our aim is to produce techniques which provide allow for the efficient measurement and control of quantum systems, enabling them to be deployed in useful applications. Area of investigation include open and closed-loop control, application of machine learning to quantum information systems, and the development of routines to characterize realistic quantum hardware. Students engaged in this project work closely with the trapped-ion experimental team, seeing concepts implemented in our own state-of-the-art quantum computing hardware.

--------------------------------Current Projects--------------------------------

QUANTUM CONTROL AND QUANTUM FIRMWARE: Control theory is a universal enabling discipline within the engineering community. We are seeking to bring insights from control theory to the quantum domain, allowing us to efficiently exploit quantum coherent systems. Our aim is to produce a flexible quantum control toolkit that is adaptable to any future quantum technology, but with specific emphasis on quantum computing. Specific projects relate to dynamical error suppression and the development of filter transfer functions for arbitrary quantum control.

QUANTUM SIMULATION:The simulation of interacting many-body systems is a promising near-term application of quantum information systems. Through experiments using linear Paul traps and ion arrays in Penning traps we are seeking to engineer designer Hamiltonians for studies of problems including quantum magnetism. Our research marries with questions of quantum control theory quantum information theory, as we seek to develop techniques allowing a user to execute a "program" on constrained simulator hardware.

QUANTUM METROLOGY: We are seeking to develop new sensing and metrology techniques leveraging trapped atomic ions as model quantum coherent systems. Our owrk includes the development of ion-based force and field detectors as well as applications of quantum control techniques to the development of precision frequency standards.