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Friday 22 May

Quantum Physics

Self-Generated Chiral Rotation in Whispering-Gallery Optomechanics

Backscattering in whispering-gallery-mode resonators is usually a passive mode-splitting mechanism produced by a fixed defect. Here, we show that, when the backscatterer is a mechanical angular degree of freedom, the same process becomes an angular-recoil backaction channel capable of generating chirality under reciprocal driving. A localized movable scatterer coherently converts photons between clockwise and counterclockwise whispering-gallery modes, transferring angular recoil in each circulation-changing event. In a weak-scattering driven-dissipative model, reciprocal bidirectional pumping gives zero net torque at rest, but rotation Doppler-shifts the two opposite scattering rates in opposite directions. For suitable detuning, this feedback produces negative angular friction, destabilizes the nonrotating reciprocal state, and selects one of two symmetry-related steady rotations. The threshold scales inversely with the square of the WGM azimuthal index. The mechanically chiral state produces a direction-dependent weak-probe response, visible as a Doppler splitting of the backscattered spectra, turning passive WGM mode splitting into a minimal mechanism for autonomous chiral optomechanics.
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Quantum Physics

Quantum-Adaptive KS($\varphi$): A Parameterized Three-Qubit Gate Family Embedding Toffoli with Measurement-Free Phase Kickback and Intrinsic Error Non-Amplification

We introduce Quantum-Adaptive KS($\varphi$) ($K$ = kickback, $S$ = sandwich), a parameterized three-qubit gate family that structurally embeds the Toffoli (CCX) gate within two additional components: (1)a palindromic Hadamard sandwich on the first control qubit $q_0$ that conjugates $Z$-type errors to $X$-type in the CCX frame, providing simultaneous sensitivity to both error types without ancilla overhead; and (2)a controlled-phase (CP) gate whose quantum phase kickback propagates post-CCX target-state information into the control-qubit phase without measurement. The term Quantum- Adaptive refers to amplitude steering conditioned by the compile-time parameter $\varphi$ via a Quantum Neural Cellular Automaton (QNCA) majority-inspired bias rule; the gate does not self-modify at runtime. Two QA-KS($\pi$) gates chained on a shared control qubit $q_0$ produce outputs completely orthogonal to two sequential CCX gates on $q_0$=1 inputs (output fidelity F=0.000), while agreeing exactly on $q_0$=0 inputs (F=1.000). This subspace-dependent divergence is the direct computational signature of coherent phase retention across gate boundaries – impossible for CCX-only circuits. On the $q_1$ = 0 subspace the gate acts deterministically (up to a relative phase), providing intrinsic error non-amplification. On the $q_1$ = 1 subspace it produces four-component entangled superpositions, making it a strictly distinct quantum-native primitive from CCX. We present the complete $8 \times 8$ unitary matrix, confirmed exact to $||U^{\dagger}U-I||_{\infty} < 10^{-15}$, and define two canonical variants: QA-KS$_{\pi/2}$ ($\varphi = \pi/2$, $S$ gate) and QA-KS$_{\pi}$ ($\varphi = \pi$, $Z$ gate). Qiskit depolarizing-noise simulation demonstrates near-unit fidelity at $p \leq 10^{-2}$ with an honest depth cost at higher error rates. The gate preserves the three-qubit footprint of CCX with no qubit overhead.
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Quantum Physics

Towards Scalable Quaternary Message-Passing Decoding for Quantum Error Correction

The scalability and interpretability of message-passing (MP) decoding, such as (quaternary) Belief Propagation, remain open challenges in quantum error correction. Even for surface codes, arguably the first testbed for decoding methods, studies of improved MP decoders have mostly been restricted to small distances ($d \lesssim 19$). Moreover, the mismatch with established message-passing theory limits the decoder's interpretability, making it unclear whether MP decoding can sustain its effectiveness at large system sizes. This work takes a step toward a more principled and interpretable MP decoding framework, with the goal of making MP-based decoding more reliable and bridging theory and practice. We introduce a dilution method, which allows a quaternary Min-Sum (MS) decoder to exhibit an apparent depolarizing threshold of $16\%$ up to distance $20$, outperforming Minimum-Weight Perfect Matching in finite-length regimes. Notably, for $X$-noise, the standard MS decoder under dilution has worst-case complexity $O(N \log^2 d)$ and outperforms BP-OSD at $d=65$. The observed $\sim 9\%$ threshold may correspond to a true asymptotic threshold. Finally, we give a graph-dilution argument that interprets the success of the dilution method and offers insight into when MP algorithms can genuinely scale. Taken together, these results provide encouraging progress toward scalable and interpretable MP decoding in quantum error correction.
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All authors Boqing Zhang, Henry D. Pfister, Hanwen Yao, Siyuan Niu

Quantum Physics · Cross-listed from physics.atom-ph

Minimally Destructive Fast Imaging of Single Atoms in an Optical Tweezer Array with Coherent Excitation

Ultracold neutral atoms in an optical lattice and an optical tweezer array offer highly-controllable quantum many-body systems, utilized for various quantum science and technology such as quantum computing, quantum metrology, and quantum simulation. By combining high-fidelity imaging of individual atoms, one can further enhance the capability of such experimental platforms as quantum gas microscopes, tweezer clocks, and tweezer-array-based quantum computers. In this work, we propose a minimally destructive single-atom imaging by deterministic coherent excitation of atoms with alternately applied pi-pulses from counter-propagating directions, mitigating the fundamental heating effect associated with the stochastic absorption process. Using ytterbium-174 atoms trapped in an optical tweezer array, we experimentally demonstrate fast and low-loss single-atom imaging with a discrimination fidelity of 99.89(5) % and a survival probability of 98.80(44) % in 17.6 microseconds. Importantly, our scheme exhibits the lower heating rate, about half of that of the former scheme utilizing the incoherent excitation. This fast and minimally destructive imaging scheme is beneficial for relaxing the requirement on the trap depth, thereby enabling scalable atom imaging across a wide range of quantum science platforms.
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All authors Rei Yokoyama, Takumi Kashimoto, Kosuke Shibata, Yuki Kawamura, Toshi Kusano, Chih-Han Yeh, Reiji Asano, Yuma Nakamura, Tetsushi Takano, Yosuke Takasu, Yoshiro Takahashi

Quantum Physics

Optimal Quantum Differential Privacy via Fisher Information Spectral Analysis

The Quantum Fisher Information (QFI) metric governs a fundamental duality: it quantifies both how precisely a parameter can be estimated (metrology) and how distinguishable two quantum states are (privacy). We exploit this duality to establish a geometry-aware framework for quantum differential privacy (DP) that replaces isotropic depolarizing noise with direction-dependent noise aligned to the QFI eigenstructure of the quantum embedding. We prove six principal theorems: (1) the minimax-optimal mechanism concentrates the noise budget in the dominant QFI eigenmode, achieving $\varepsilon = (\Delta^2/2)\lambda_{\max}(1-c\gamma)$ with $O(d/\lambda_{\max})$ advantage; (2) mixed-state QFI decomposition reveals that dephasing in the adversary's basis $\textit{increases}$ accessible information, while misaligned-basis dephasing provides constructive privacy amplification from hardware noise; (3) a tight privacy $-$ utility uncertainty relation $\varepsilon \cdot (1 - F) \ge \frac{\Delta^2}{2}\frac{\operatorname{Tr}(F)}{d}$; (4) adaptive QFI estimation converging at $O(1/\sqrt{n})$ yields $1.92\times$ tighter bounds; (5) QFI-aligned composition saturates at $O(1)$ versus $O(k)$ for standard composition; and (6) hardware noise can be harnessed for privacy amplification. Adversarial vulnerabilities, Wasserstein guarantees, subspace projection, and a zero-knowledge audit protocol follow as corollaries. Results are validated on Qiskit Aer GPU simulations, IBM Quantum hardware (ibm_fez, 156 qubits), and against classical DP baselines, achieving equivalent utility at $\varepsilon \approx 0.001$ versus $\varepsilon \approx 4800$ for classical DP.
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All authors Justice Owusu Agyemang, Jerry John Kponyo, Elliot Amponsah, Godfred Manu Addo Boakye

Quantum Physics

Impact of Surface Treatment on Noise in PL-Measurements of Silicon Vacancies in 4H-SiC Lateral pin-Diodes

Silicon vacancies ($V_\mathrm{Si}$) in 4H-SiC are promising candidates for quantum technologies due to their long spin coherence times and integrability into mature semiconductor platforms. However, conventional CMOS-compatible processing introduces significant photoluminescence noise from passivation layers and crystal damage, degrading color center coherence and excitation linewidths. This work evaluates strategies to minimize such background noise. Thermally grown oxides with nitrogen monoxide annealing provide excellent low-noise passivation, remaining stable during subsequent $600\,^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$ thermal treatments. Furthermore, combining reactive ion etching with atomic layer etching eliminates ion-induced surface damage. Into lateral pin-diodes, used for stark shift and photoluminescent excitation linewidth tuning, a selectively etched optical window is integrated. These devices show ideal electrical properties – blocking up to $150\,\mathrm{V}$ with leakage current below $10\,\mathrm{pA}/\mu\mathrm{m}$ – while significantly enhancing the $V_\mathrm{Si}$ environment. Single emitters in these pin-diodes show an increased signal-to-noise ratio of 15 for near-surface and of 50 for deeper emitters on both c-plane and a-plane wafers.
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All authors Jannik H. Schwarberg, Fabian Magerl, Susanne Beuer, Alexander May, Christian Gobert, Martin Siebert, Christian Miersch, Heino Möller, Wolfgang Knolle, Chihang Luo, Jan F. Dick, Franziska C. Beyer, Mathias Rommel, Jörg Schulze

Quantum Physics

Phase-resolved multichannel quantum escape between limit cycles

Driven-dissipative quantum systems can recover stable dynamical attractors in the semiclassical limit, including coexisting limit cycles. At finite fluctuation strength, this classical coexistence becomes quantum metastability: the corresponding oscillatory states undergo rare fluctuation-induced transitions. We demonstrate phase-resolved quantum escape between two such states in a driven optomechanical resonator. Unlike escape from fixed points, switching between extended attractors occurs across a periodic basin boundary and depends on the phase at which fluctuations approach it. Using quantum-jump trajectories across a controlled quantum-to-classical crossover, we reconstruct the escape geometry directly from switching events. Escape from the small-amplitude cycle proceeds through a single radial corridor and exhibits near-Arrhenius scaling, whereas escape from the large-amplitude cycle involves competing phase-localized corridors with distinct effective activation scales. The resulting curvature in the switching-rate scaling, together with event-conditioned phase distributions, identifies finite-fluctuation multichannel quantum escape between extended attractors.
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Quantum Physics

Quantum Error Correction and the Limits of Quantum Metrology

Quantum metrology has been making amazing progress in the past decades. It is always in researchers' interest to search for new optimal states that improve parameter estimation. In this paper, we point out a connection between the code's error correcting capacity and its ability to act as a sensor. We backed our claim by providing an example that relates the Absorption emission code to the sensor state for arbitrary state rotation. It is hoped that, in building such a unified theory, one can draw inspiration from error correction to develop promising quantum sensors.
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Quantum Physics · Cross-listed from cond-mat.dis-nn

Anderson Localization: A Floquet operator Krylov space perspective

The problem of Anderson localization, as well as the single particle localization-delocalizaton transition of the Aubry-André model, is studied employing operator Krylov space methods. It is shown that even when the dynamics is generated by a Hamiltonian, studying the dynamics at stroboscopic rather than continuous times has its advantages. In particular, mapping the dynamics to an effective Floquet problem results in an operator Krylov space description where quantities such as the spectral function can be computed with fewer computational resources, while a moment method exists that allows for the extraction of Krylov parameters directly from the discrete time autocorrelation function. For stroboscopic dynamics, the operator Krylov space corresponds to the dynamics of an edge operator of an inhomogeneous Floquet transverse field Ising model, with the parameters of this effective model generated recursively. The Krylov parameters show disorder-averaged renormalization with their distribution narrowing as the recursion step increases. It is shown that a more physical spectral function is obtained from the Krylov parameters obtained from the disorder-averaged autocorrelation function, rather than the disorder-averaged Krylov parameters. The delocalized (localized) phase is shown to correspond to the appearance (absence) of a Porter-Thomas distribution, a ballistically propagating (localized) wavefront in operator Krylov space, and a smooth (discrete) Berstein-Szegö power-spectrum. The localization-delocalization transition is also demonstrated in operator Krylov space. A Porter-Thomas distribution is also observed at the critical point. The long-time dynamics and the inverse participation ratio at the critical point is shown to exhibit behavior consistent with a multi-fractal scaling with system size.
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Quantum Physics

Bell State Analysis Provides an Optimal Basis Saturating the Quantum Cramer-Rao in Rotation Sensing

The second-order anti-coherent state of light is known to saturate the Cramer-Rao Bound (QCRB) for rotation sensing around an arbitrary axis. However, due to the complexity of the state and the inefficiency of state tomography, parameter extraction remains an open problem. In this manuscript, we approach the problem of parameter extraction using pairwise Bell state analysis with an additional path degree of freedom. Due to the transformation property of rotation, only the symmetric Bell states will show up in projection in the final state. We exploit this advantage to develop a scheme for extracting the rotation angle for N=4 and N=6 second-order anti-coherent states.
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Quantum Physics · Cross-listed from gr-qc

Probing the limits of the semiclassical Einstein equation

In the context of semiclassical gravity, the semiclassical Einstein equation is often invoked when backreaction of quantum matter/fields on the spacetime is at stake. It is expected to hold when quantum fluctuations are small. Yet, it is routinely used to justify the central role of the expectation value of the stress-energy tensor of quantum fields, whose fluctuations formally diverge. Here we propose a new way to probe the limits of this approximation by exploiting peculiar nonlinearities of gravity. As a proof of principle, we construct a controlled, analytically tractable setting where the incoherent mixture of weak-gravity states drives the system into a strong-gravity regime. By selecting a branch-degenerate observable, one can compare predictions of quantum and semiclassical gravity, potentially delimiting the validity of the latter.
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Quantum Physics

Bit flips, saturation, and quantum chaos in dissipative cat qubits

Bosonic cat qubits promise hardware-efficient quantum error correction because their logical bit-flip rate is exponentially suppressed with the photon number of the cat state. However, several experiments report a saturation of this suppression at large photon numbers, thus limiting the achievable protection. Combining quantum-trajectory simulations, semiclassical analysis, and Liouvillian spectral methods, we investigate the properties of bit flips in realistic dissipative cat qubits, where a memory mode hosting quantum information interacts with a dissipative buffer cavity. We show that bit flips are dynamical processes inherently involving both the memory and buffer, and therefore cannot be captured by single-mode approximate descriptions. We identify a reflection symmetry, resulting in a phase-locking condition at the semiclassical level and for quantum trajectories, as the main requirement for regular bit-flip dynamics. Its breakdown is the origin of the saturation, and we find that it occurs when two conditions are met. First, the adiabatic approximation, where the state of the buffer instantaneously follows that of the memory, must not be valid, which typically happens at large photon numbers. Second, key parameters such as the cross-Kerr interaction and dephasing must be present, leading to irregular dynamics in which memory fluctuations are amplified by the buffer during bit flips. In this regime, we find that bit flips manifest as chaotic bursts within otherwise regular dynamics, as evidenced by both changes in the topology of quantum trajectories and in the Liouvillian spectrum and its associated eigenmodes involved in these switching events. Finally, we verify our predictions against experimental data, highlighting the detrimental role of dissipative chaotic behavior in bosonic error-correcting codes.
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All authors Filippo Ferrari, Joachim Cohen, Vincenzo Savona, Fabrizio Minganti

Quantum Physics

Dynamical self-dual criticality in Fibonacci-monitored quantum Ising chains

For the quantum phase transition in the transverse-field Ising chain, Kramers-Wannier duality not only protects its critical properties but also pinpoints the location of the phase transition. Its role in out-of-equilibrium, monitored dynamics, however, remains largely unexplored beyond time-periodic Floquet protocols where self-duality turns into a statistical average symmetry. Here we explore the emergence of dynamical self-duality in the absence of time-translation symmetry by investigating the monitored dynamics of one-dimensional Ising/Majorana chains where measurements are arranged in a quasiperiodic Fibonacci sequence. We find that the dynamical extension of this non-invertible symmetry to an out-of-equilibrium setting allows one to organize the dynamical phase diagram of entangled phases, both predicting the transition locations and protecting universal critical behavior. Analytically and numerically, we identify two distinct critical lines, both related to the golden ratio, for Born-rule weak measurements and for random Clifford projective measurements. The latter coincides with the transition of a pure imaginary-time evolution, which can be viewed as a post-selected trajectory. The universality classes of the long-time critical steady states at Fibonacci times are determined, while the transient dynamics between Fibonacci times is deformed by measurements, realizing dynamical measurement-altered quantum criticality in real time.
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All authors Finn Eckstein, Harald Schmid, Quinten Preiss, Simon Trebst, Felix von Oppen, Guo-Yi Zhu

Quantum Physics · Cross-listed from cond-mat.stat-mech

Universal classification of continuous phase transitions with two order parameters

The continuous phase transition, indicated by the macroscopic order parameter and the occurrence of the spontaneous symmetry breaking, is well illustrated based on the Ginzburg-Landau's paradigm. In systems described by one order parameter, the phase diagram is only composed of the normal phase and the ordered phase. However, in systems with two or more order parameters, much richer phase diagrams and critical phenomena may emerge. According to coupling terms of the free energy, we classify the systems with two order parameters into several categories, featuring different patterns of phase diagrams and critical scalings respectively. Our work propose the new avenue to studying and evaluating the complex systems only based on the coupling terms in expressions of free energy.
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Quantum Physics

A Two-Branch Finite-Field Construction for Regular CSS LDPC Bases

This paper develops a two-branch multiplicative-coset construction for regular Calderbank–Shor–Steane (CSS) quantum low-density parity-check base matrices. For a target column weight $J$ and an even row weight $L$, the method reduces regularity, CSS orthogonality, and same-type 4-cycle exclusion to explicit quotient-coset conditions over a finite field. A normalized exhaustive search for these conditions produces base matrices for several $(J,L)$ pairs, so the construction is not tied to a single degree distribution. The construction separates the finite-length design into two stages: the base matrix fixes the degree distribution and the first girth constraints, and a cyclic lift randomizes edge connections subject to exact algebraic checks. As a detailed example, we carry one $(3,10)$-regular base through the lift and decoding stages. For this example, the selected 64-fold lift gives a code whose same-type Tanner graphs have girth at least eight, and it also excludes a specified weight-16 nondegenerate logical-support orbit. Complete support enumeration excludes all nontrivial logical representatives of weight at most 16 on both sides. The resulting instance is a $[[10240,4108,\,18\le d\le32]]$ CSS code. For decoding, we use joint log-domain belief propagation together with low-complexity deterministic post-processing rules for small residual syndromes, including repairs for residual patterns with two unsatisfied checks. The frame error rate (FER) measurements provide finite-length decoding data for this detailed example; at depolarizing probability $p=0.058$, the post-processing FER is $1.0\times10^{-7}$.
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2605.23894 · 22 May · v3: Distinguished the FER-experiment lift from the earlier external coefficient file; corrected the displayed upper-bound representatives and supplied the experiment matrices. Complete enumeration proves 18<=d<=32 for the FER instance. The old external file has d=16. Removed unsupported distance speculation

Quantum Physics · Cross-listed from cond-mat.quant-gas

Time crystals in cavity-BEC systems

The understanding of light-induced dynamical states continues to be a challenging and fruitful pursuit of science. This pursuit is supported by quantum simulation of dynamical phenomena, e.g., in ultracold atom systems. Typically, ultracold atom dynamics are read out destructively, via time-of-flight imaging, limiting a detailed analysis. However, atom-cavity systems provide a real-time readout of the photonic state via photon emission from the cavity, making the system ideally suited for the simulation of dynamical phenomena. Here, we review three distinct time crystalline states, predicted and realized in a cavity-BEC system. We give an example for each of them, based on minimal few-mode models. We characterize the time crystalline states via correlation functions of the cavity mode, and characteristic momentum modes of the condensate. This supports a clear distinction between these time crystals. More generally, the sequence of studies reviewed here, serves as a blueprint for setting up minimal models and their characterization, for dynamical phenomena.
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Quantum Physics · Cross-listed from hep-th

Not all black holes decohere quantum superpositions

We study the decoherence induced by near-extremal charged black holes on quantum systems in their exterior. Specifically, we analyze a thought experiment recently discussed in the literature, where the quantum system is a charged particle prepared in a spatial superposition. Near-extremal black holes are known to exhibit large quantum metric fluctuations of the near-horizon geometry at low temperatures. We show that, at late times, if the black hole is sufficiently close to extremality, these quantum gravity effects make the decoherence rate vanish. This phenomenon is due to a spin-induced energy gap in the quantum black hole spectrum. For energies above the gap, the decoherence rate becomes nonzero, but is still suppressed relative to semiclassical expectations, so these quantum gravity effects always enhance the coherence of the superposition.
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Quantum Physics

Quantum Quenches that Resemble Operator Growth

We study growth quenches, which are local quenches that may gradually destabilize a false vacuum in certain kinetic constrained quantum lattice models, such as the East-West model. We point out a formal analogy with the dynamics of a local operator in the Heisenberg picture. Exploiting this analogy, we obtain several results on growth quenches by adapting operator-dynamics concepts and methods. First, applying the Krylov approach (recursion method), we conjecture the linear growth of Lanzcos coefficients in generic quenches, $a_m \sim \nu m$ (diagonal), and $b_m \sim \alpha m$ (off-diagonal), extending an operator growth hypothesis. We show that the growth quench dynamics is localized in both Krylov and Fock spaces when $|\nu| > 2 \alpha$, and derive a bound for the growth quench analogue of Lyapunov exponent $\lambda_L \le \sqrt{4 \alpha^2 - \nu^2}$ when $|\nu| < 2 \alpha$. Second, we realize the Fock localization in large $N$ solvable growth quenches inspired by Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) models. The bound on Lyapunov exponent is saturated in large-$q$ SYK grow quench. By contrast, the growth quench is almost always Fock localized in a nonrandom all-to-all growth quench amenable to semiclassics. Finally, in the 1D East-West model, we interpret Fock space cage states as the existence of a conserved charge. We show that the latter has ballistic transport due to current conservation. Moreover, adding hopping with a fine-tuned amplitude induces a partial localization due to a flat band. Our work suggest growth quenches as a promising approach to realize non-equilibrium coherent phenomena in many-body systems.
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Quantum Physics

Coherent dynamics in chaotic spin chains via interference-protected subspaces

Generic quantum many-body systems are expected to thermalize, scrambling initial coherence while local observables relax to equilibrium values. Weak ergodicity breaking, often associated with quantum many-body scarring of homogeneous states, provides rare exceptions with long-lived coherence. We introduce a family of local spin-1/2 chains with a structured subspace that hosts a much broader range of nonthermal phenomena, such as scars, chirally propagating quasiparticles or approximate topological edge modes. These nonthermal phenomena happening at high energy densities can be understood via structured subspaces that are protected by destructive interference. We develop a quantitative leakage theory predicting which states retain coherence and suggest ways to improve the stability by inducing fast oscillations in the complement subspace. Our framework connects asymptotic scars, quantum cages, and parent-Hamiltonian constructions, and shows that weak ergodicity breaking in chaotic systems extends well beyond revivals of homogeneous initial states.
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Quantum Physics

Indefinite probabilities in quantum spacetime: A deepening of unpredictability

Non-commutative spacetime and quantum groups have been argued to capture non-classical features of spacetime and its symmetries in quantum gravity. In this letter, we show that employing the $SU_q(2)$ quantum group to describe rotational symmetry for spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ systems and Stern-Gerlach apparatuses leads to the description of probabilities of outcomes of spin measurements in terms of non-commuting operators. As a result, we obtain an uncertainty principle between different probability operators, realising a notion of indefinite probabilities. This is then reflected in the non-commutativity of the entries of the rotation matrix relating the reference frames of two observers, hence fundamentally preventing them from sharply measuring their relative orientation.
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Quantum Physics · Cross-listed from math-ph

Exact versus tight-binding models in longitudinally modulated $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric coupled waveguides

The tight-binding (TB) model is a widely adopted approximation scheme for describing light propagation in waveguide arrays. Despite its success, its validity in $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric systems characterized by strong longitudinal modulation has not been rigorously benchmarked against exact analytical solutions. In this work, we address this gap by performing a comparative analysis between exact continuous solutions derived from $z$-dependent supersymmetric (SUSY) transformations and their corresponding discrete TB approximations. To achieve this, we develop a theoretical model for two PT-symmetric coupled waveguides subject to longitudinal modulation. We then evaluate the performance of the TB framework against the exact SUSY benchmark. Our results delineate the specific validity range of the TB approximation, demonstrating its proficiency in reproducing spatial intensity distributions. However, we also identify its limitations in accurately capturing the complex oscillatory phase dynamics inherent to this non-Hermitian evolution.
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Quantum Physics

Convexity and non-Markovianity of Weyl Maps

We investigate the emergence of non-Markovian dynamics in finite-dimensional open quantum systems governed by Weyl dynamical maps and their convex combinations. Using the Hermite normal form, we provide a complete classification of the subgroups of the discrete phase space $\mathbb{Z}_d \times \mathbb{Z}_d$, establishing the algebraic framework underlying the Weyl maps. We characterize isotropic Weyl dynamical maps that generate Markovian semigroups and show that anisotropic Weyl maps with nonuniform weight distributions cannot possess the semigroup property. Furthermore, we analyze the role of convexity in the generation and suppression of memory effects. Remarkably, we prove that convex combinations of eternally non-Markovian Weyl dephasing maps can generate Markovian semigroups, demonstrating that non-Markovianity is not additive under mixing. Conversely, we establish a general condition under which convex mixtures of $N$ distinct Weyl semigroups exhibit eternal non-Markovianity. In contrast to the qubit Pauli setting, we further identify the existence of irreducible eternally non-Markovian Weyl dephasing maps, namely, individual dynamical maps that display eternal memory effects without requiring any mixing mechanism. Finally, explicit qutrit examples illustrate the transition among Markovian, non-Markovian and eternally non-Markovian regimes. Our results uncover a fundamental connection among finite phase-space algebra, convex structures, and quantum memory effects, thereby extending the theory of non-Markovian dynamics beyond the Pauli framework.
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Quantum Physics

IntegrateUnitary.jl: A Julia package for symbolic integration over Haar measures

Symbolic integration over the Haar measure of compact groups is a computational cornerstone in quantum information science and random matrix theory. We present IntegrateUnitary.jl, a comprehensive Julia package for computing exact expectations of polynomial functions over a wide range of compact groups ($U(d)$, $O(d)$, $Sp(d)$, and $SU(d)$ for balanced polynomials), circular and Gaussian ensembles, Ginibre ensembles, permutation groups, random pure states, and unitary $t$-designs. The package provides a fully open-source implementation of the Weingarten calculus and Wick contractions with broad symbolic-$d$ support for entry-wise and trace-polynomial integrals, while selected workflows currently require concrete integer dimensions (including higher pure trace moments $|\mathrm{tr}(U)|^{2k}$ for $k > 1$ and HCIZ with SymbolicMatrix inputs, and direct matrix-valued integration of SymbolicMatrix/SymbolicMatrixProduct expressions), automatic asymptotic expansions, a high-level symbolic trace interface that reconstructs Weingarten graphs from index-free expressions, and a bridge to ITensors.jl for tensor network averaging. We discuss the underlying algorithms, including the Murnaghan-Nakayama rule and symplectic-orthogonal duality, and demonstrate that the package efficiently handles high-degree moments and quantum information metrics.
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Quantum Physics · Cross-listed from hep-th

The negativity core of a 1+1D massless scalar quantum field

Vacuum entanglement is a fundamental feature of quantum field theory exhibiting rich structure that is not completely understood. Here, we provide a complete characterization of the entanglement between two bounded spacelike-separated regions in a (1+1)-dimensional free massless real scalar field. Employing Gaussian state methods, we analytically compute the logarithmic negativity and construct closed-form solutions for the localized modes carrying it, called negativity cores. These results deepen our understanding of quantum fields and suggest extensions to higher dimensions and fermionic fields.
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Quantum Physics

Complementing Quantum Error Correction in Quantum Metrology via Swap Test

The precision and sensitivity achievable in quantum metrology are often compromised by the presence of noise. While quantum error correction has emerged as a promising strategy, it is ineffective in addressing noise that is indistinguishable from the signal. To address this challenge, virtual state purification was introduced as a complementary approach to quantum error correction. However, significant noise accumulation can impede its performance. To overcome this limitation, we propose a swap test-based method specifically designed to address indistinguishable noise, even under high noise levels. A systematic error-scaling analysis demonstrates that this method enables quantum-enhanced precision in certain scenarios. Furthermore, numerical simulations demonstrate that our method surpasses virtual state purification in both single- and multi-parameter estimation tasks. The significant improvements in precision across diverse settings underscore the robustness and practicality of our method for real-world applications.
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Quantum Physics

Optimizing Parallel Execution of Commuting Pauli Product Rotations

Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computation (FTQC) permits parallel execution of mutually commuting Pauli Product Rotations (PPRs), but per-qubit access point/port limits (e.g. two X and two Z edges on the surface code) force commuting groups that exceed the budget to be split, inflating circuit depth. We propose two heuristics for reducing this hardware-limited depth: 1. clique reshuffling, which permutes commuting products and re-forms port-constrained groups, and 2. generator restructuring, which rewrites each group as an equivalent generating set with reduced per-qubit port pressure. On QASMBench circuits compiled to PPRs, we combine the two heuristics and observe an average hardware-limited depth reduction of $10-20\%$ over a non-reordering baseline, with up to $50\%$ reduction. These observed gains scale with the per-qubit port budget and saturate near $20$ ports, suggesting these heuristics remain relevant as hardware exposes more access points.
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Quantum Physics · Cross-listed from math-ph

The Floquet-Magnus expansion of unbounded operators

The Floquet-Magnus expansion is a widely used tool to derive effective descriptions of time-periodic quantum systems by approximating their dynamics with a time-independent Hamiltonian. However, its standard formulation is, strictly speaking, restricted to bounded Hamiltonians. In this work, we extend its definition and analysis to a broad class of time-periodic unbounded Hamiltonians. Our approach is based on an a priori distinct nonperturbative framework for the construction of effective Hamiltonians, which we show to reproduce the Floquet-Magnus expansion. A particular strength of our framework is that it allows us to prove that the resulting effective dynamics approximates the original time evolution propagators to arbitrary order in the high-frequency limit without requiring convergence of the Floquet-Magnus expansion, a condition that is already highly restrictive even in the bounded setting. We illustrate the scope of the method on representative models: the quantum Rabi Hamiltonian in the interaction picture, and the periodically driven quantum harmonic oscillator.
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All authors Daniel Burgarth, Robin Hillier, Davide Lonigro, Leonhard Richter

Quantum Physics

Noise and Configuration Recovery Impact on Quantum Selected Configuration Interaction

Quantum-selected configuration interaction (QSCI) is a promising hybrid quantum-classical approach in which a quantum device generates configurations for subsequent classical diagonalization. Here, we analyze the performance of QSCI combined with the local unitary cluster Jastrow (LUCJ) ansatz, focusing on the interplay between ansatz expressivity, sampling, noise, and configuration recovery. Using the dissociation of N2 in a large active space as a benchmark, we show that noiseless LUCJ sampling produces compact and biased configurational spaces, limiting the accuracy of the resulting CI energies, particularly in strongly correlated regimes. By introducing a simple noise model, we demonstrate that sampling noise can enhance Hilbert-space exploration by generating additional configurations beyond those supported by the ideal ansatz. When combined with configuration recovery, this leads to systematically improved energies. Moreover, recovery alone (starting from randomly generated configurations) can efficiently construct accurate CI spaces, highlighting its central role in QSCI.
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All authors Nonia Vaquero-Sabater, Abel Carreras, Lukas Broers, Tomonori Shirakawa, Seiji Yunoki, David Casanova

Quantum Physics · Cross-listed from hep-th

Twirled Perfect Tensor Networks: Computationally covariant holographic tensor networks

We define a novel class of tensor networks motivated by the Python's Lunch Conjecture (PLC) in local tensor network models of the black hole interior. We start from the observation that, for extended black brane states with short-range correlations, the PLC predicts a complexity that is smaller than the upper bound for generic short-range correlated states. We argue that the PLC makes implicit assumptions about the fine structure of the relevant tensor networks modeling gravity that render them non-generic. We demonstrate this explicitly in random tensor network models of the python's lunch, where the exponential complexity is not generally controlled by the PLC exponent. We trace the difference with the PLC to a lack of "computational covariance" in random tensor networks: while the PLC is motivated by an ability to arbitrarily decompose space into low-complexity units provided certain basic rules are followed, we show that random tensor networks do not generically have this property. We propose another class of tensor networks built from what we call "twirled perfect tensors" that do satisfy the computational covariance property and have a complexity bounded by the PLC value. We still find a discrete limitation from local postselection that appears to be absent in gravity. Moreover, we show that this class of tensor networks combines desirable holographic features of perfect tensor networks and random tensor networks, for example, it obeys a lattice Ryu-Takayanagi formula for arbitrary boundary subregions. Though motivated by holography, these tensor networks provide a flexible framework with potential applications beyond quantum gravity.
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All authors Gurbir Arora, Matthew Headrick, Albion Lawrence, Martin Sasieta, Brian Swingle, Connor Wolfe

Quantum Physics

Quantum Ghost Spectroscopy Reveals Hidden Electronic Coherence in Molecular Aggregates

Ultrafast spectroscopy of molecular systems is fundamentally constrained by the Fourier uncertainty principle: high temporal resolution smears out electronic state signatures, while high spectral resolution obscures dynamic information. Here we overcome this limitation using time-resolved quantum ghost spectroscopy (tr-QGS) with entangled photon pairs, which enables independent control of temporal and spectral scales. We apply this approach to perylene bismide (PBI-1) trimers for energy transfer,by combining a quantum description of light-molecule interaction with time-dependent density matrix renormalization group (TD-DMRG) simulations. This explicitly includes five vibrational modes and nonadiabatic coupling between electronic states. Our simulations reveal that tr-QGS uniquely captures electronic coherence oscillating at 0.7 eV for >50 fs, a signature of nonadiabatic coupling that was obscured in conventional time-resolved fluorescence due to Fourier-limited broadening. Moreover, we observe a direct transfer from electronic to vibrational coherence at 200 fs, providing real-time visualization of vibronic relaxation pathways. The entangled photon correlation enables a sensitivity below the shot-noise limit and suppresses photobleaching artifacts that plague classical measurements. These results establish tr-QGS as a transformative tool for interrogating nonadiabatic dynamics in molecular aggregates, light-harvesting complexes, and photocatalysts, offering a route to reveal quantum coherence in chemistry with unprecedented time-energy precision.
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All authors Mingran Zhang, Yihe Xu, Vladislav V. Yakovlev, Zhedong Zhang