Programmable Quantum Simulations on a Trapped-Ion Quantum Computer with a Global Drive

Area of Science:

• Quantum Information Science
• Quantum Simulation
• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics

Background:

• Classical computers struggle to simulate complex quantum systems.
• Quantum hardware offers a promising alternative but faces challenges due to imperfections.
• Simulating quantum systems accurately over long evolution times remains a significant hurdle.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally demonstrate a novel method for quantum simulations on a trapped-ion quantum simulator.
• To enable programmable spin-Hamiltonian simulations using simplified global control fields.
• To achieve accurate and high-fidelity quantum simulations with reduced control complexity and depth.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a small-scale trapped-ion quantum simulator.
• Employed simple global fields to drive all qubits homogeneously and simultaneously.
• Simulated the dynamics of a quantum Ising ring to reconstruct Hamiltonian parameters.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated accurate and high-fidelity quantum simulations of a quantum Ising ring.
• Accurately reconstructed the Hamiltonian parameters from the measured evolution.
• Showcased a significant reduction in the required control complexity and circuit depth.

Conclusions:

• The developed method enables longer evolution times with higher accuracy in quantum simulations.
• This approach simplifies the control requirements for quantum simulators.
• The technique holds promise for advancing the capabilities of near-term quantum devices for scientific discovery.