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Published on: May 15, 2017
Local topological order inhibits thermal stability in 2D.
Olivier Landon-Cardinal1, David Poulin
1Département de Physique, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada. olivier.landon-cardinal@usherbrooke.ca
Physical Review Letters
|March 19, 2013
Summary
Local topological order protects quantum information from static errors but creates a constant energy barrier, hindering stability against thermal fluctuations. This finding impacts quantum computing robustness.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Information Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Computing
Background:
- Quantum information is stored in degenerate ground states of Hamiltonians.
- Robustness against thermal and static perturbations is crucial for quantum computing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between local topological order and the energy barrier protecting quantum information.
- To assess the impact of local topological order on the thermal stability of quantum information.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a local, frustration-free Hamiltonian with commuting terms on a 2D spin lattice.
- Theoretical examination of energy barriers and topological order in degenerate ground spaces.
Main Results:
- Local topological order implies a constant energy barrier.
- This constant energy barrier inhibits thermal stability of the stored quantum information.
Conclusions:
- Local topological order offers protection against static perturbations but compromises thermal robustness.
- The findings suggest a trade-off between different types of stability in quantum information storage systems.
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