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Results for “Quantum information with hybrid systems”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Thin-film lithium niobate on diamond as a platform for efficient spin-phonon coupling

Negatively charged silicon vacancy (SiV − ) centers in diamond are leading candidates for solid-state quantum memory that can be controlled using electromagnetic or acoustic waves. The latter are particularly promising due to the strong strain response of SiV − , enabling large spin-phonon interaction strengths. Indeed, coherent spin control via surface acoustic waves (SAWs) has been demonstrated and is essential for developing on-chip phononic quantum networks. However, the absence of piezoelectricity in diamond requires an interface with a piezoelectric material for efficient transduction and delivery of acoustic waves to spins in diamonds. Here, we demonstrate a heterogeneously integrated phononic platform that combines thin-film lithium niobate with diamond to enable acoustic control of single SiV − spins. Additionally, leveraging large SAW-induced strain at the location of SiV − , we achieve coherent acoustic control of an electron spin with more than twofold improvement in Rabi frequency compared to state-of-the-art devices based on aluminum nitride on diamond. Furthermore, this work represents a crucial step towards realizing phonon-based quantum information processing systems.

Optically detected magnetic resonance↗
DOE OSTI2026

Engineering diamond interfaces free of dark spins

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are utilized extensively as quantum sensors for imaging fields at the nanoscale. The ultrahigh sensitivity of NV magnetometers has enabled the detection and spectroscopy of individual electron spins, with potentially far-reaching applications in condensed matter physics, spintronics, and molecular biology. However, the surfaces of these diamond sensors naturally contain electron spins, which create a background signal that can be hard to differentiate from the signal of the target spins. In this study, we develop a surface modification approach that eliminates the unwanted signal of these so-called dark electron spins. Our surface passivation technique, based on coating diamond surfaces with a thin titanium oxide (Ti⁢O 2 ) layer, reduces the dark spin density. The observed reduction in dark spin density aligns with our findings on the electronic structure of the diamond-Ti⁢O 2 interface. The reduction, from a typical value of 2000 μm −2 to a value below that set by the detection limit of our NV sensors (200 μm −2 ), results in a twofold increase in Hahn-echo coherence time of near surface NV centers. Furthermore, we derive a comprehensive spin model that connects dark spin relaxation with NV coherence, providing additional insights into the mechanisms behind the observed spin dynamics. Our findings are directly transferable to other quantum platforms, including nanoscale solid-state qubits and superconducting qubits.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

High-dynamic-range quantum sensing of magnons and their dynamics using a superconducting qubit

Magnons, the quanta of collective spin excitations in magnetic materials, may enable functionalities, such as nonreciprocity and transduction in hybrid quantum devices. To assess the potential of such applications, it is necessary to understand magnon dynamics beyond the simple harmonic oscillator regime, where theory predicts effects like population-dependent damping and quantum fluctuations in the form of magnon shot noise. Probing these phenomena requires sensors with high sensitivity and the ability to resolve magnon properties across different excitation regimes. Here, we demonstrate accurate and sensitive detection of magnon population and decay over a wide range of occupation numbers. We use a superconducting qubit to probe magnons in a ferrimagnet over approximately 2000 excitations. Using qubit control and parametrically induced qubit-magnon interactions, we demonstrate few-excitation sensitive detection of magnons with a dynamic range of approximately 30 dB, and are able to accurately resolve their decay with few-ns sensitivity. These capabilities offer a powerful and practical technique for probing magnon dynamics in or beyond the linear regime over a wide range of excitations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

On-demand magnon resonance isolation in cavity magnonics

Cavity magnonics is a promising field focusing on the interaction between spin waves (magnons) and other types of signal. In cavity magnonics, isolation of magnons from the cavity to allow signal storage and processing fully in the magnonic domain is highly desired, but its realization is often hindered by the lack of necessary tunability of the interaction. This work shows that by using the collective mode of two yttrium iron garnet spheres and applying Floquet engineering, magnonic signals can be switched on demand to a magnon dark mode that is protected from the environment, enabling a variety of manipulation over the magnon dynamics. Furthermore, our demonstration can be scaled up to systems with an array of magnonic resonators, paving the way for large-scale programmable hybrid magnonic circuits.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Strain-tunable microwave-resonance technique for quantum materials

By integrating a dielectric microwave resonator with a piezoelectric-based strain device, we develop an in situ strain-tunable microwave spectroscopy technique that enables contactless measurements of material properties under strain. To demonstrate the capability of this device, we measure the strain-dependent microwave surface impedance of the representative iron-based superconductor Ba⁢Fe 2 (As 1−𝑥 ⁢P 𝑥 ) 2 at the slightly overdoped composition. We successfully control and observe the suppression of superconductivity under both compressive and tensile anisotropic lattice distortions along the tetragonal [110] T direction, as manifested by changes in the quality factor and resonance frequency shifts of microwave resonance. Furthermore, strain-induced changes in microwave surface resistivity, an extension of conventional DC-limit transport elastoresistivity to the microwave regime, provide information on electronic anisotropy equivalent to that of DC elastoresistivity, while offering a contactless alternative. Furthermore, our strain-tunable cavity therefore serves as a powerful, contactless probe of fundamental material properties under strain and may also potentially facilitate the design of hybrid quantum systems with strain-engineered quantum degrees of freedom.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Tuning magneto-optical zero reflection via dual-channel hybrid magnonics

Multichannel coupling in hybrid systems makes an attractive testbed not only because of the distinct advantages entailed by each constituent mode but also because the opportunity to leverage interference among the various excitation pathways. Here, via combined analytical calculation and experiment, we demonstrate that the phase of the magnetization precession at the interface of a coupled yttrium iron garnet (YIG)/permalloy (Py) bilayer is collectively controlled by the microwave photon field torque and the interlayer exchange torque, manifesting a coherent, dual-channel excitation scheme that effectively tunes the magneto-optical spectrum. Furthermore, the different torque contributions vary with frequency, external bias field, and type of interlayer coupling between YIG and Py, which further results in destructive or constructive interferences between the two excitation channels, and hence selective suppression or amplification of the hybridized magnon modes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cryogenic hybrid magnonic circuits based on spalled YIG thin films

Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) magnonics has garnered significant research interest because of the unique properties of magnons (quasiparticles of collective spin excitation) for signal processing. In particular, hybrid systems based on YIG magnonics show great promise for quantum information science due to their broad frequency tunability and strong compatibility with other platforms. However, their broad applications have been severely constrained by substantial microwave loss in the gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) substrate at cryogenic temperatures. In this study, we demonstrate that YIG thin films can be spalled from YIG/GGG samples. Our approach is validated by measuring hybrid devices comprising superconducting resonators and spalled YIG films, which exhibit anti-crossing features that indicate strong coupling between magnons and microwave photons. Such new capability of separating YIG thin films from GGG substrates via spalling and the integrated superconductor-YIG devices represent a significant advancement for integrated magnonic devices, paving the way for advanced magnon-based coherent information processing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Amplified response of cavity-coupled quantum-critical systems

A quantum critical point develops when matter undergoes a continuous transformation between distinct ground states at absolute zero. It hosts pronounced quantum fluctuations, which render the system highly susceptible to external perturbations. While light-matter coupling has rapidly moved forward as a means to probe and control quantum materials, the capacity of quantum critical fluctuations in the photon-mediated responses has been largely unexplored. Here we advance the notion that directly coupling a quantum critical mode to a quantized cavity field dramatically facilitates the realization of the elusive superradiant phase transition in equilibrium, circumventing at once the key obstacles that have prevented its attainment in spite of decades of pursuit. The superradiant phase transition develops far below the ultrastrong regime of light-matter couplings, and the transition is accompanied by the light-matter hybrid system showing strongly enhanced intrinsic squeezing and amplified quantum Fisher information. We also identify candidate cavity quantum materials platforms for validating the proposed effect. Our findings suggest a general principle by which quantum criticality amplifies the response to cavity photons. They also demonstrate that cavity coupling accesses the elevated quantum entanglement of the underlying matter at quantum criticality, thereby pointing to a pathway towards realizing the potential of highly collective quantum materials to expand the capacities of quantum information science.

Sur, Shouvik [Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United Stat↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hybrid Quantum Networks with Discrete Polarizations and Continuous Quadrature Variables

Final Scientific/Technical Report for DOE Project DE-SC0022069. Quantum communication and computation systems have evolved along two largely independent paradigms: discrete-variable (DV) systems that encode information in qubits such as photon polarizations or photon-number states, and continuous-variable (CV) systems that encode information in optical field quadratures. Each approach offers distinct advantages—DVs provide low error rates and compatibility with single-photon platforms, while CVs support deterministic operations and efficient quantum state manipulation. A fundamental challenge for building a scalable Quantum Internet lies in interfacing these two regimes into a unified hybrid architecture that can coherently distribute and process quantum information across heterogeneous quantum nodes. This project aims to develop and demonstrate a hybrid optical quantum network that seamlessly integrates DV and CV systems. Specifically, we investigate a new class of hybrid entanglement between the discrete polarizations of single photons and the continuous quadrature variables of optical cat states, overcoming incompatibilities in existing DV–CV demonstrations. Using this new entanglement resource, the team investigates a multi-node hybrid quantum local area network (Q-LAN) testbed capable of DV–CV entanglement generation, swapping, and distribution across fiber links.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

HPC-Driven Modeling with ML-Based Surrogates for Magnon-Photon Dynamics in Hybrid Quantum System

Here, we introduce a hybrid computational framework that merges HPC-based numerical solvers with physics-informed ML surrogates for efficient modeling of magnon-photon interactions. By running short-duration, high-fidelity Maxwell-LLG simulations and feeding their results into an ML model, we substantially cut simulation time while achieving accurate predictions across larger spatiotemporal domains.

Accuracy↗
DOE OSTI2024

Influence of temperature, doping, and amorphization on the electronic structure and magnetic damping of iron

Hybrid magnonic quantum systems have drawn increased attention in recent years for coherent quantum information processing, but too large magnetic damping is a persistent concern when metallic magnets are used. Their intrinsic damping is largely determined by electron-magnon scattering induced by spin-orbit interactions. In the low scattering limit, damping is dominated by intra-band electronic transitions, which has been theoretically shown to be proportional to the electronic density of states at the Fermi level. In this work, we focus on body-centered-cubic iron as a paradigmatic ferromagnetic material. We comprehensively study its electronic structure using first-principles density functional theory simulations and account for finite lattice temperature, boron (B) doping, and structure amorphization. Our results indicate that temperature induced atomic disorder and amorphous atomic geometries only have a minor influence. Instead, boron doping noticeably decreases the density of states near the Fermi level with an optimal doping level of 6.25%. In addition, we show that this reduction varies significantly for different atomic geometries and report that the highest reduction correlates with a large magnetization of the material. Furthermore, this may suggest materials growth under external magnetic fields as a route to explore in experiment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Review of Quantum Computing Technologies in Power System Optimization

As modern power grids increasingly integrate variable renewable generation, distributed energy resources, and energy storage systems, classical optimization techniques are facing unprecedented challenges. This review examines the emerging application of quantum computing to overcome these challenges in power system optimization, including optimal power flow (OPF), unit commitment (UC), economic dispatch (ED), and intelligent switching and topology optimization (IS-TO). Recent research has introduced various quantum methodologies—such as gate-based, annealing-based, variational algorithms, and quantum-inspired algorithms—to address the combinatorial complexity inherent in grid reconfiguration and energy management. The review summaries the quantum algorithms, quantum devices and the power system test cases, highlighting hybrid quantum–classical strategies that leverage the complementary strengths of both paradigms. Some quantum advantages have been observed, including theoretical speedup, accurate simulation results, scalable qubit usage, efficient QUBO mapping. In particular, the review emphasizes the importance of integrating quantum optimization techniques with classical control frameworks, these hybrid approaches demonstrate the potential to improve real-time grid management and operational reliability. A significant portion of the analysis is devoted to the practical limitations of current quantum devices. Present-day quantum hardware, operating in the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era, remains highly sensitive to noise and limited in qubit connectivity, which constrains the scale and accuracy of implemented algorithms. The review delves into specific challenges such as the need for qubit-efficient encoding techniques and error mitigation strategies that are critical for handling real-world grid optimization problems. In addition, the work draws attention to the performance discrepancies between theoretical quantum speedups and experimental validations, underscoring the importance of rigorous benchmark studies using representative power grid test cases. In summary, this review highlights both the promise and limitations of quantum computing for power system optimization. It provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art technologies, categorizes recent advancements in algorithm design, and discusses practical considerations for implementation, and serves as an informative resource on current research. Future research directions include developing robust hybrid frameworks, advancing qubit-efficient formulations, and scaling up experimental demonstrations to confirm the theoretical advantages of quantum methods in large-scale power system operations.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

SQMS Quantum R&D in Machine Learning, Optimization and Sensing beyond Fundamental Physics Applications

This newly formed team at SQMS under the Ecosystem Thrust is looking to develop capabilities impacting societal advances outside the core domain of HEP and condensed matter physics. We explicitly leverage the experimental and algorithmic innovations developed across all groups as well as connect to broad-scope external projects of the diverse team of PIs. As the inaugural set of projects, we are studying numerically quantum machine learning models inspired by efficiently trainable echo-state and orthogonal neural networks and developing designs for related experiments to be performed on quantum processors based on SQMS SRF cQED technology and Rigetti s transmon arrays. Investigated models exploit ideas and lessons learned from multiple prior work by SQMS team members in a variety of internal and external activities [R1]. Target initial applications include noisy signal processing, potentially captured by quantum sensors or noisy QPUs, as well as simulation and classification of healthcare data. For instance, image reconstruction of the brain s electrical properties by solving the inverse Maxwell equation problem with uncertainty [R2] through a hybrid quantum-classical physics-informed architecture for time-dependent processes [R3]. The group is also investigating the application and development of novel quantum sensors based on magnetic levitation of a superconducting sphere coupled to a superconducting qubit. This coupling enables high-precision measurements of the position of the sphere, which can be used for sensitive detection of forces, enabling practical applications such as gravimetry for geophysics analysis, or accelerometry for GPS-denied navigation [R4] [R1] Rieffel, Eleanor G., Ata Akbari Asanjan, M. Sohaib Alam, Namit Anand, David E. Bernal Neira, Sophie Block, Lucas T. Brady et al. "Assessing and advancing the potential of quantum computing: A NASA case study." Future Generation Computer Systems (2024). [R2] Yu, X., Serrall s, J.E., Giannakopoulos, I.I., Liu, Z., Daniel, L., Lattanzi, R. and Zhang, Z., 2023. Pifon-ept: Mr-based electrical property tomography using physics-informed fourier networks. IEEE Journal on Multiscale and Multiphysics Computational Techniques. [R3] Wudarski, Filip, Daniel OConnor, Shaun Geaney, Ata Akbari Asanjan, Max Wilson, Elena Strbac, P. Aaron Lott, and Davide Venturelli. "Hybrid quantum-classical reservoir computing for simulating chaotic systems." arXiv preprint arXiv:2311.14105 (2023). [R4] Higgins, Gerard, Saarik Kalia, and Zhen Liu. "Maglev for dark matter: Dark-photon and axion dark matter sensing with levitated superconductors." Physical Review D 109.5 (2024): 055024.

Venturelli, Davide↗
DOE OSTI2025

Entropy of the Quantum–Classical Interface: A Potential Metric for Security

Hybrid quantum–classical systems are emerging as key platforms in quantum computing, sensing, and communication technologies, but the quantum–classical interface (QCI)—the boundary enabling these systems—introduces unique and largely unexplored security vulnerabilities. This position paper proposes using entropy-based metrics to monitor and enhance security, specifically at the QCI. We present a theoretical security outline that leverages well-established information-theoretic entropy measures, such as Shannon entropy, von Neumann entropy, and quantum relative entropy, to detect anomalous behaviors and potential breaches at the QCI. By linking entropy fluctuations to scenarios of practical relevance—including quantum key distribution, quantum sensing, and hybrid control systems—we promote the potential value and applicability of entropy-based security monitoring. While explicitly acknowledging practical limitations and theoretical assumptions, we argue that entropy-based metrics provide a complementary approach to existing security methods, inviting further empirical studies and theoretical refinements that can strengthen future quantum technologies.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Magnet-superconductor hybrid quantum systems: a materials platform for topological superconductivity

Magnet–superconductor hybrid (MSH) systems have recently emerged as one of the most significant developments in condensed matter physics. This has generated, in the last decade, a steadily rising interest in the understanding of their unique properties. They have been proposed as one of the most promising platforms for the establishment of topological superconductivity, which holds high potential for application in future quantum information technologies. Their emergent electronic properties stem from the exchange interaction between the magnetic moments and the superconducting condensate. Given the atomic-level origin of such interaction, it is of paramount importance to investigate new magnet–superconductor hybrids at the atomic scale. In this regard, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy are playing a crucial role in the race to unveil the fundamental origin of the unique properties of MSH systems, with the aim to discover new hybrid quantum materials capable of hosting topologically non-trivial unconventional superconducting phases. In particular, the combination of STM studies with tight-binding model calculations have represented, so far, the most successful approach to unveil and explain the emergent electronic properties of MSHs. The scope of this review is to offer a broad perspective on the field of MSHs from an atomic-level investigation point-of-view. The focus is on discussing the link between the magnetic ground state hosted by the hybrid system and the corresponding emergent superconducting phase. This is done for MSHs with both one-dimensional (atomic chains) and two-dimensional (atomic lattices and thin films) magnetic systems proximitized to conventional s-wave superconductors. We present a systematic categorization of the experimentally investigated systems with respect to defined experimentally accessible criteria to verify or falsify the presence of topological superconductivity and Majorana edge modes. The discussion will start with an introduction to the physics of Yu–Shiba–Rusinov bound states at magnetic impurities on superconducting surfaces. This will be used as a base for the discussion of magnetic atomic chains on superconductors, distinguishing between ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic and non-collinear magnetic ground states. A similar approach will be used for the discussion of magnetic thin film islands on superconductors. Given the vast number of publications on the topic, we limit ourselves to discuss works which are most relevant to the search for topological superconductivity.

Majorana states↗
NASA NTRS2011

Quantum-Classical Hybrid for Information Processing

Based upon quantum-inspired entanglement in quantum-classical hybrids, a simple algorithm for instantaneous transmissions of non-intentional messages (chosen at random) to remote distances is proposed. The idea is to implement instantaneous transmission of conditional information on remote distances via a quantum-classical hybrid that preserves superposition of random solutions, while allowing one to measure its state variables using classical methods. Such a hybrid system reinforces the advantages, and minimizes the limitations, of both quantum and classical characteristics. Consider n observers, and assume that each of them gets a copy of the system and runs it separately. Although they run identical systems, the outcomes of even synchronized runs may be different because the solutions of these systems are random. However, the global constrain must be satisfied. Therefore, if the observer #1 (the sender) made a measurement of the acceleration v(sub 1) at t =T, then the receiver, by measuring the corresponding acceleration v(sub 1) at t =T, may get a wrong value because the accelerations are random, and only their ratios are deterministic. Obviously, the transmission of this knowledge is instantaneous as soon as the measurements have been performed. In addition to that, the distance between the observers is irrelevant because the x-coordinate does not enter the governing equations. However, the Shannon information transmitted is zero. None of the senders can control the outcomes of their measurements because they are random. The senders cannot transmit intentional messages. Nevertheless, based on the transmitted knowledge, they can coordinate their actions based on conditional information. If the observer #1 knows his own measurements, the measurements of the others can be fully determined. It is important to emphasize that the origin of entanglement of all the observers is the joint probability density that couples their actions. There is no centralized source, or a sender of the signal, because each receiver can become a sender as well. An observer receives a signal by performing certain measurements synchronized with the measurements of the others. This means that the signal is uniformly and simultaneously distributed over the observers in a decentralized way. The signals transmit no intentional information that would favor one agent over another. All the sequence of signals received by different observers are not only statistically equivalent, but are also point-by-point identical. It is important to assume that each agent knows that the other agent simultaneously receives the identical signals. The sequences of the signals are true random, so that no agent could predict the next step with the probability different from those described by the density. Under these quite general assumptions, the entangled observers-agents can perform non-trivial tasks that include transmission of conditional information from one agent to another, simple paradigm of cooperation, etc. The problem of behavior of intelligent agents correlated by identical random messages in a decentralized way has its own significance: it simulates evolutionary behavior of biological and social systems correlated only via simultaneous sensoring sequences of unexpected events.

Zak, Michail↗
DOE OSTI2025

Toward Mixed Analog-Digital Quantum Signal Processing: Quantum AD/DA Conversion and the Fourier Transform

Signal processing stands as a pillar of classical computation and modern information technology, applicable to both analog and digital signals. Recently, advancements in quantum information science have suggested that quantum signal processing (QSP) can enable more powerful signal processing capabilities. However, the developments in QSP have primarily leveraged digital quantum resources, such as discrete-variable (DV) systems like qubits, rather than analog quantum resources, such as continuous-variable (CV) systems like quantum oscillators. Consequently, there remains a gap in understanding how signal processing can be performed on hybrid CV-DV quantum computers. Here we address this gap by developing a new paradigm of mixed analog-digital QSP. We demonstrate the utility of this paradigm by showcasing how it naturally enables analog-digital conversion of quantum signals—specifically, the transfer of states between DV and CV quantum systems. We then show that such quantum analog-digital conversion enables new implementations of quantum algorithms on CV-DV hardware. This is exemplified by realizing the quantum Fourier transform of a state encoded on qubits via the free-evolution of a quantum oscillator, albeit with a runtime exponential in the number of qubits due to information theoretic arguments. Collectively, this work marks a significant step forward in hybrid CV-DV quantum computation, providing a foundation for scalable analog-digital signal processing on quantum processors.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Emergent properties of magnons coupled to microwave photons (Final Technical Report)

Studying the emergent properties of hybrid quantum material platforms holds great promise for advancing quantum technologies and transforming our ability to control quantum mechanical interactions. A key development in recent years is the recognition that magnons – the elementary quanta of spin waves – can serve as fundamental building blocks in quantum systems. Understanding the mechanisms behind the generation and control of hybrid quasiparticles based on magnons could pave the way for engineering new materials for quantum coherent processing and quantum computing. This research project focused on the precise control of light-matter interactions in magnetic hybrid systems and nanostructures, where light is carried by microwave photons and matter by magnons in engineered magnetic metamaterials. Furthermore, we investigated hybridized magnon interactions in magnetic nanostructures and devices. To this end, the project has developed new measurement techniques and systematically studied novel material systems for efficient magnon-photon coupling. A key focus was uncovering the fundamental mechanisms governing magnon-photon and magnon-phonon interactions – critical for utilizing magnons as coherent information transducers between carriers. Specifically, this research addressed: 1. Investigate the dispersion and collective properties of magnon hybrid systems in new material systems. 2. Develop magnonic hybrids with non-zero wavevectors and achieve effective control of magnon-polariton properties through engineered magnonic behaviors. 3. Determine how spin-orbit torques interact with electromagnetic fields in the strong coupling regime. This work generated new insights into the physics of magnonic hybrid systems and their emergent properties by broadening the range of material platforms and measurement techniques used to study magnon-photon and magnon-magnon coupling. The findings deepen our understanding of magnon-polaritons and lay the groundwork for novel spintronic devices with potential applications in quantum information science.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗