ASPECTS Quantum Thermodynamics of Precision in Electronic Devices

Research Project, 2022 – 2025

Noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices are quantum systems consisting of many qubits, but they are not advanced enough to reach fault-tolerance. Such devices are very sensitive to their environment and may lose their quantum state due to quantum decoherence. Further understanding of basic quantum and thermodynamic principles could aid in controlling this environmental noise. Recent research has shown that in coherent quantum processes, the laws of quantum thermodynamics allow higher measurement precision for less energy and entropy cost. The EU-funded ASPECTS project aims to further investigate and exploit this novel effect on superconducting qubits and nanoelectromechanical devices. Specifically, researchers will build quantum circuit devices to experimentally assess the energy cost of timekeeping and qubit readout.

Objective
Quantum technologies exploit the counterintuitive physics of the microscopic world to gain an advantage over purely classical systems. In order to achieve commercial usefulness, major research efforts are now devoted to scaling up current noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices. The fundamental challenge to be overcome is noise, whose presence is necessitated by basic quantum and thermodynamic principles as well as limitations on the precision with which such devices can be measured and controlled. To overcome this challenge, we need to understand the fundamental thermodynamic limitations on precision in quantum devices. Remarkably, it has recently been predicted that coherent quantum processes exhibit a new kind of quantum advantage with respect to classical processes: the laws of quantum thermodynamics allow higher measurement precision for less energy and entropy cost.

The ambitious goal of ASPECTS is to demonstrate, explore, and exploit this novel effect on two of the most promising quantum technology platforms: namely, superconducting qubits and nanoelectromechanical devices. Specifically, we will design and build quantum circuit devices to experimentally assess the energy cost of timekeeping and qubit readout. With support from advanced theory and numerical simulations, we will demonstrate quantum-thermodynamic precision advantage in our measurements. This ground-breaking advance will usher in a new paradigm for quantum metrology in which quantum-thermodynamic effects boost both efficiency and precision.

Our balanced consortium of early-career researchers is founded on our strong existing collaborations and our unified and coherent vision for the future of energy-efficient quantum technologies. Bringing together world-leading expertise in precision measurement, quantum information, and non-equilibrium statistical physics, ASPECTS will make a deep and lasting impact on the European quantum technologies landscape.