An architecture for two-qubit encoding in neutral ytterbium-171 atoms

We present an architecture for encoding two qubits within the optical "clock" transition and nuclear spin-1/2 degree of freedom of neutral ytterbium-171 atoms. Inspired by recent high-fidelity control of all pairs of states within this four-dimensional ququart space, we present a toolbox for intra-ququart (single atom) one- and two-qubit gates, inter-ququart (two atom) Rydberg-based two- and four-qubit gates, and quantum nondemolition (QND) readout. We then use this toolbox to demonstrate the advantages of the ququart encoding for entanglement distillation and quantum error correction which exhibit superior hardware efficiency and better performance in some cases since fewer two-atom (Rydberg-based) operations are required. Finally, leveraging single-state QND readout in our ququart encoding, we present a unique approach to studying interactive circuits as well as to realizing a symmetry protected topological phase of a spin-1 chain with a shallow, constant-depth circuit. These applications are all within reach of recent experiments with neutral ytterbium-171 atom arrays or with several trapped ion species.Comment: 22 pages, 14 figure

Data from: Escherichia coli populations in unpredictably fluctuating environments evolve to face novel stresses through enhanced efflux activity

There is considerable understanding about how laboratory populations respond to predictable (constant or deteriorating environment) selection for single environmental variables such as temperature or pH. However, such insights may not apply when selection environments comprise multiple variables that fluctuate unpredictably, as is common in nature. To address this issue, we grew replicate laboratory populations of Escherichia coli in nutrient broth whose pH and concentrations of salt (NaCl) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were randomly changed daily. After ~170 generations, the fitness of the selected populations had not increased in any of the three selection environments. However, these selected populations had significantly greater fitness in four novel environments which have no known fitness-correlation with tolerance to pH, NaCl or H2O2. Interestingly, contrary to expectations, hypermutators did not evolve. Instead, the selected populations evolved an increased ability for energy-dependent efflux activity that might enable them to throw out toxins, including antibiotics, from the cell at a faster rate. This provides an alternate mechanism for how evolvability can evolve in bacteria and potentially lead to broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance, even in the absence of prior antibiotic exposure. Given that environmental variability is increasing in nature, this might have serious consequences for public health