Digital quantum simulation and error correction with atomic processors

Abstract

Quantum processors have the potential to significantly advance our understanding of quantum systems. In particular, the programmability of digital quantum devices enables access to highly tunable quantum dynamics and observables. The central challenge, however, is suppressing errors, making quantum error correction essential for large-scale algorithms. In this thesis, I present work on quantum processing with reconfigurable atom arrays, with experiments featuring up to 448 neutral atom qubits, high two-qubit gate fidelities, arbitrary connectivity, and mid-circuit qubit readout and reuse. Using this system, I describe how we realize gate-based quantum simulations. In particular, we experimentally study Kitaev’s honeycomb model and explore hardware-efficient fermion-to-qubit encodings. We then leverage unique opportunities with atoms to study the key building blocks of scalable quantum error correction. These include below-threshold performance, deep computation at constant entropy, and universal logical gates. Together, these experiments highlight unique near-term opportunities with atom arrays and chart a path toward future large-scale atomic processors.