United Kingdom

Quantum computing is a promised method to solve some computational tasks that are intractable for classical computing. Boson Sampling is one of the candidates to demonstrate quantum computational advantage. In our recent experiment, we realize quantum computational advantage in a Gaussian Boson Sampling (GBS) experiment. We inject 25 two-mode squeezed states into a 100-mode ultralow-loss interferometer with full connectivity and random matrix, and sample the output distribution using 100 single photon detectors. We have ruled out some plausible hypotheses, including thermal states, distinguishable photons, and uniform distribution. We observe coincidence event with up to 76 clicks. This GBS machine can sample 14 orders of magnitude faster than classical supercomputer.

Bristol Quantum Information Technologies Workshop

Photon-based quantum advantage

boson sampling

quantum optics

quantum computing

**BQIT is a three day annual workshop** aimed at enabling leading UK and international academics and industrial partners to come together; to explore and discuss future ambitions and challenges in the field of **Quantum Information Technologies.** Since our conception in 2014 we have had 230 speakers and panellists who have presented their work and opinions on a range of topics, from quantum theory to innovation in industry.


### Welcome Message
The BQIT:21 team welcomes you to the eighth Bristol Quantum Information Technologies workshop! 

Last year was the first time in our workshop's history that we had gone fully virtual. The global circumstances that continue to impact us all professionally and personally have forced BQIT once again to be delivered as an all-virtual workshop for 2021. The access this creates to colleagues across the world who would otherwise be unable to join us, as well as being able to make the workshop free for all attendees due to the lower costs involved in delivering an online workshop, are just a couple of the extraordinary benefits of meeting online. This also means that we can welcome three times as many attendees to BQIT than previous years.   

We take this opportunity to thank each of our speakers and poster presenters for contributing their technical content, this year's sponsors, whose support this year enabled BQIT:21 to be free to all attendees, and to all of our attendees for joining us online this year. We recognise the extra energy required to stay connected and motivated during these difficult times, and are hugely encouraged to see so many of you willing to continue to connect with us on an online platform. 

It is our hope that you have a productive and enjoyable time while you engage and interact with BQIT:21, and to everyone that has helped take BQIT:21 online, thank you! 

**The BQIT board and organisation team **


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### This year's workshop agenda is available here: [Virtual BQIT:21](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QwsSM0ztnxC_lgUKf3TbO3GvnI44AQkY/view?usp=sharing)
For further information, please contact us at: **bqit-admin@bristol.ac.uk**

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technical paper

It is possible, in fact. I will present recent experimental results that demonstrate the “non-degenerate HOM effect,” that occurs within the time-envelope of photon pairs that meet at a beam splitter [1]. The coincidence rate shows an oscillation in time at the difference frequencies, both for same-path and different-path output events. This proves to be a useful tool to map the sum and difference frequency spectra in a two-photon state, with frequency resolution impossible to achieve with existing techniques. Hence, it is well suited to characterise narrow-band photon pairs for applications involving quantum light-matter interactions. We also demonstrate the closely-related “time-domain Ghosh-Mandel effect.” For both experiments, we use a cavity enhanced-SPDC source, resonant to the D1 line in cold atomic Rubidium [2]. The source allows for independent control over the central frequency of each photon in the pair and allows to pick and choose which hyperfine transition each photon is resonant to, with MHz resolution. We map the frequency content with the interference effects. 


[1] V. Prakash, A. Sierant, and M.W. Mitchell https://arxiv.org/abs/2101.03144

[2] V. Prakash, L. C. Bianchet, M. T. Cuairan, P. Gomez, N. Bruno, and M. W. Mitchell, Opt. Express 27, 38463 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.382474

HOM interference between distinguishable photons? 

We proposed a new constrained quantum optimization algorithm (CQOA) inspired by the quantum extreme value Searching algorithm (QEVSA) [1]. The QEVSA finds the extreme value (minimum or maximum) of an unconstraint goal function. It combines the well-known binary searching algorithm and the quantum existence testing [QET] which is a special case of a quantum counting algorithm. if one is interested in finding the extreme value of a constraint goal function, an extension of the functionalities of the QEVSA is required, in other words, a new extended version of the QET is needed, we name it constraint quantum relation testing (CQRT). The QET exploits the power of the quantum phase estimation (QPE) [2] for computing the necessary qubits for classical and quantum certainty of the physical implementation. Therefore, involving the constraint and the index relation which determines the type of optimization (minimum or maximum) in the QET does not modify the working mechanism of the QPE. Consequently, the optimum number of qubits necessary for the CQRT is similar to the QET function i.e., the computational complexities of QET and CQRT are equal. The CQOA merges the binary search algorithm and the CQRT function.
[1] S. Imre, ”Quantum Existence Testing and Its Application for Finding Extreme Values in Unsorted Databases” IEEE Transactions on Computers, Vol: 56, Issue: 5, May 2007.
[2] Imre, S.; Balázs, F.: Quantum computing and communications: An engineering approach (Wiley, Chichester, UK) 2005 ISBN 0-470-86902-X, DOI: 10.1002/9780470869048.


Constrained Quantum Optimization Strategy

The goal of demonstrating a quantum advantage for useful applications with currently available technology is an important challenge in quantum information science. In this talk, we discuss examples of such rigorous demonstration of advantage in security and efficiency due to the use of quantum resources for cryptographic and communication complexity protocols. This requires devising novel protocols amenable to experimental implementations, which involve encoding in properties of coherent states of light, linear optic circuits and single-photon detection. We further discuss the extension of our results in quantum communication complexity to the efficient verification of NP-complete problems with limited information.

Demonstrating quantum advantage with practical photonic systems

In this talk I will discuss novel applications of GHZ states in quantum communication and computing.
First, I will present a recent experiment that shows quantum communication in a multipartite network. Here, I show how GHZ states allow achieving security in the communication – and also keeping the identities of the participating parties private.
Second, I will show how GHZ states can act as a resource for computation and that, vice versa, computation can be used as a tool to test quantum correlations.


Protocols in quantum networks: communication and beyond

Entanglement distribution is a fundamental component of quantum networks, often in the context of quantum key distribution. It is less well known that entanglement distribution can help with a very different problem: time distribution. In this talk I will describe a protocol for time distribution and clock synchronization that allows synchronization on the order of ps, is extremely robust against losses and is resilient against spoofing attacks, which are problematic in, for example, time distribution via GPS satellites.

Right in time: Entanglement distribution for accurate and safe clock synchronization

Quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols based on high-dimensional quantum states have shown the route to increase the key rate generation while benefiting from enhanced error tolerance, thus overcoming the limitations of two-dimensional QKD protocols. Nonetheless, the reliable transmission through fiber links of high-dimensional quantum states remains an open challenge that must be addressed to boost their application. In this talk, I will present our recent demonstration of the reliable transmission, over a 2 km long multicore fiber, of path-encoded high-dimensional quantum states. Leveraging on a phase-locked loop system, stable interferometric detection is guaranteed, allowing for low error rates and the generation of 6.3 Mbit/s of secret key rate.

Path-encoded high-dimensional quantum states distribution towards QKD applications

The global interest in quantum networks stems from the security guaranteed by the laws of physics. Deploying quantum networks means facing the challenges of scaling up the physical hardware and, more importantly, of scaling up all other network layers and optimally utilising network resources. Here we consider two related protocols, their experimental demonstrations on an 8-user quantum network test-bed, and discuss their usefulness with the aid of example use cases. First, an authentication transfer protocol to manage a fundamental limitation of quantum communication -- the need for a pre-shared key between every pair of users linked together on the quantum network. By temporarily trusting some intermediary nodes for a short period of time (<35 min in our network), we can generate and distribute these initial authentication keys with a very high level of security. Second, when end users quantify their trust in intermediary nodes, our flooding protocol can be used to improve both end-to-end communication speeds and increase security against malicious nodes.

Scalable authentication and optimal flooding in a quantum network

Satellite-based quantum key distribution enables quantum-secured communication on a global scale. There are international efforts underway to build and launch satellites capable of Quantum Key Distribution (‘QKD’) e.g. the QUARC, QEYSSat, Micius and SpooQy-1 missions. 
These QKD satellites work with a network of Optical Ground Stations (OGSs) to receive optical signals and distribute cryptographic keys to end users. However, OGSs near metropolitan centres are often subject to high levels of light pollution and suffer from restricted clear lines of sight to the satellite. Further, static ground stations are severely limited by local meteorological conditions. A mobile OGS is not subject to these restrictions and can be used to distribute keys flexibly. This may be useful when performing site surveys in order to derive realistic data on expected key rates and meteorological/geographic conditions. We present our progress towards field-demonstrations of QKD using our mobile OGS to receive both a beacon signal and quantum signal. This OGS is designed to work with our industry lead 6U and research focused 12 U QKD CubeSats.

Field Demonstration Of A Mobile Optical Ground Station For CubeSat Quantum Key Distribution

Jonathan Dowling was a driving force in the optical quantum information community. His work introduced new fundamental concepts and helped experimentalists implement the abstract ideas from quantum information theory. In this commemorative talk I will use Jon’s work over the past two-and-a-bit decades to give a highly subjective sketch of the history of the field and Jon’s role in it. I will conclude with Jon’s most recent work on photonic quantum data locking. Due to the nature of the anecdotes about Jon, this talk has a PG-13 rating.

From High Noon to Boson Sampling — Commemorative Talk for Jon Dowling

Efficient conversion between microwave and optical frequency signals plays an important role in classical and quantum information processing. Recent advances in superconducting devices for quantum technologies have put significant constraints on conversion frequency, power and efficiency between phononic and photonic domains. Here, we demonstrate an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) for conversion of microwave signals up to 2.5 GHz to optical signals in the telecom wavelength range. The modulator is fabricated on a suspended Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) integrated photonic circuit platform, where an unsuspended interdigital transducer (IDT) drives surface acoustic waves to modulate the light travelling in a suspended photonic micro-ring resonator.

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