Continuous-time Quantum Error Correction with Noise-assisted Quantum Feedback

Abstract: We address the standard quantum error correction using the three-qubit bit-flip code, yet in continuous-time. This entails rendering a target manifold of quantum states globally attractive. Previous feedback designs could feature spurious equilibria, or resort to discrete kicks pushing the system away from these equilibria to ensure global asymptotic stability. We present a new approach that consists of introducing controls driven by Brownian motions. Unlike the previous methods, the resulting closed-loop dynamics can be shown to stabilize the target manifold exponentially. We further present a reduced-order filter formulation with classical probabilities. The exponential property is important to quantify the protection induced by the closed-loop error-correction dynamics against disturbances. We study numerically the performance of this control law and of the reduced filter.