Quantum Speed Limit for Perfect State Transfer in One Dimension

The basic idea of spin chain engineering for perfect quantum state transfer (QST) is to find a set of coupling constants in the Hamiltonian, such that a particular state initially encoded on one site will evolve freely to the opposite site without any dynamical controls. The minimal possible evolution time represents a speed limit for QST. We prove that the optimal solution is the one simulating the precession of a spin in a static magnetic field. We also argue that, at least for solid-state systems where interactions are local, it is more realistic to characterize the computation power by the couplings than the initial energy.Comment: 5 pages, no figure; improved versio

Conclusive and arbitrarily perfect quantum state transfer using parallel spin chain channels

We suggest a protocol for perfect quantum communication through spin chain channels. By combining a dual-rail encoding with measurements only at the receiving end, we can get conclusively perfect state transfer, whose probability of success can be made arbitrarily close to unity. As an example of such an amplitude delaying channel, we show how two parallel Heisenberg spin chains can be used as quantum wires. Perfect state transfer with a probability of failure lower than P in a Heisenberg chain of N spin-1/2 particles can be achieved in a timescale of the order of N^1.7|ln(P)|. We demonstrate that our scheme is more robust to decoherence and non-optimal timing than any scheme using single spin chains.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures ; expanded version inluding discussion of transmission tim

Perfect State Transfer, Effective Gates and Entanglement Generation in Engineered Bosonic and Fermionic Networks

We show how to achieve perfect quantum state transfer and construct effective two-qubit gates between distant sites in engineered bosonic and fermionic networks. The Hamiltonian for the system can be determined by choosing an eigenvalue spectrum satisfying a certain condition, which is shown to be both sufficient and necessary in mirror-symmetrical networks. The natures of the effective two-qubit gates depend on the exchange symmetry for fermions and bosons. For fermionic networks, the gates are entangling (and thus universal for quantum computation). For bosonic networks, though the gates are not entangling, they allow two-way simultaneous communications. Protocols of entanglement generation in both bosonic and fermionic engineered networks are discussed.Comment: RevTeX4, 6 pages, 1 figure; replaced with a more general example and clarified the sufficient and necessary condition for perfect state transfe

Optimal 1->M universal quantum cloning via spin networks

We present a scheme that transform 1 qubit to M identical copies with optimal fidedelity via free dynamical evolution of spin star networks. We show that the Heisenberg XXZ coupling can fulfill the challenge. The initial state of the copying machine and the parameters of the spin Hamiltonian are discussed in detail. Furthermore we have proposed a feasible method to prepare the initial state of the copying machine.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Role of interference in quantum state transfer through spin chains

We examine the role that interference plays in quantum state transfer through several types of finite spin chains, including chains with isotropic Heisenberg interaction between nearest neighbors, chains with reduced coupling constants to the spins at the end of the chain, and chains with anisotropic coupling constants. We evaluate quantitatively both the interference corresponding to the propagation of the entire chain, and the interference in the effective propagation of the first and last spins only, treating the rest of the chain as black box. We show that perfect quantum state transfer is possible without quantum interference, and provide evidence that the spin chains examined realize interference-free quantum state transfer to a good approximation.Comment: 10 figure

Quantum Communication Through a Spin-Ring with Twisted Boundary Conditions

We investigate quantum communication between the sites of a spin-ring with twisted boundary conditions. Such boundary conditions can be achieved by a flux through the ring. We find that a non-zero twist can improve communication through finite odd numbered rings and enable high fidelity multi-party quantum communication through spin rings (working near perfectly for rings of 5 and 7 spins). We show that in certain cases, the twist results in the complete blockage of quantum information flow to a certain site of the ring. This effect can be exploited to interface and entangle a flux qubit and a spin qubit without embedding the latter in a magnetic field.Comment: four pages two figure

Spin Star as Switch for Quantum Networks

Quantum state transfer is an important task in quantum information processing. It is known that one can engineer the couplings of a one-dimensional spin chain to achieve the goal of perfect state transfer. To leverage the value of these spin chains, a spin star is potentially useful for connecting different parts of a quantum network. In this work, we extend the spin-chain engineering problem to the problems with a topology of a star network. We show that a permanently coupled spin star can function as a network switch for transferring quantum states selectively from one node to another by varying the local potentials only. Together with one-dimensional chains, this result allows applications of quantum state transfer be applied to more general quantum networks.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figur

Quantum Communication through Spin Chain Dynamics: an Introductory Overview

We present an introductory overview of the use of spin chains as quantum wires, which has recently developed into a topic of lively interest. The principal motivation is in connecting quantum registers without resorting to optics. A spin chain is a permanently coupled 1D system of spins. When one places a quantum state on one end of it, the state will be dynamically transmitted to the other end with some efficiency if the spins are coupled by an exchange interaction. No external modulations or measurements on the body of the chain, except perhaps at the very ends, is required for this purpose. For the simplest (uniformly coupled) chain and the simplest encoding (single qubit encoding), however, dispersion reduces the quality of transfer. We present a variety of alternatives proposed by various groups to achieve perfect quantum state transfer through spin chains. We conclude with a brief discussion of the various directions in which the topic is developing.Comment: Material covered till Dec 200

Direct versus measurement assisted bipartite entanglement in multi-qubit systems and their dynamical generation in spin systems

We consider multi-qubit systems and relate quantitatively the problems of generating cluster states with high value of concurrence of assistance, and that of generating states with maximal bipartite entanglement. We prove an upper bound for the concurrence of assistance. We consider dynamics of spin-1/2 systems that model qubits, with different couplings and possible presence of magnetic field to investigate the appearance of the discussed entanglement properties. We find that states with maximal bipartite entanglement can be generated by an XY Hamiltonian, and their generation can be controlled by the initial state of one of the spins. The same Hamiltonian is capable of creating states with high concurrence of assistance with suitably chosen initial state. We show that the production of graph states using the Ising Hamiltonian is controllable via a single-qubit rotation of one spin-1/2 subsystem in the initial multi-qubit state. We shown that the property of Ising dynamics to convert a product state basis into a special maximally entangled basis is temporally enhanced by the application of a suitable magnetic field. Similar basis transformations are found to be feasible in the case of isotropic XY couplings with magnetic field.Comment: (14 pages, 7 figures, RevTeX4

Quantum communication via a continuously monitored dual spin chain

We analyze a recent protocol for the transmission of quantum states via a dual spin chain [Burgarth and Bose, Phys. Rev. A 71, 052315 (2005)] under the constraint that the receiver's measurement strength is finite. That is, we consider the channel where the ideal, instantaneous and complete von Neumann measurements are replaced with a more realistic continuous measurement. We show that for optimal performance the measurement strength must be "tuned" to the channel spin-spin coupling, and once this is done, one is able to achieve a similar transmission rate to that obtained with ideal measurements. The spin chain protocol thus remains effective under measurement constraints.Comment: 5 pages, revtex 4, 3 eps figure