Squeezing, trisqueezing and quadsqueezing in a hybrid oscillator–spin system
Nature Physics (2026) 1-6
Abstract:
Quantum harmonic oscillators model phenomena from electromagnetic fields to molecular vibrations, with excitations represented by bosons such as photons or phonons. Linear interactions that create or annihilate single bosons generate coherent states of light or motion. Introducing higher-order nonlinear interactions produces richer quantum behaviour: second-order interactions enable squeezing, whereas higher-order interactions generate non-Gaussian states useful for continuous-variable quantum computation. However, such interactions are usually weak or require specialized hardware. Hybrid systems, where a linear interaction couples an oscillator to a spin, offer an alternative. Here we combine two spin-dependent linear bosonic interactions to implement up to fourth-order nonlinear bosonic interactions in a single trapped ion, focusing on generalized squeezing. We demonstrate and characterize squeezing, trisqueezing and quadsqueezing; reconstruct the Wigner functions of the resulting states; and achieve quadsqueezing over 100 times faster than conventional methods. The approach has no fundamental limit on the interaction order and applies to any platform supporting spin-dependent linear interactions.Generating Arbitrary Superpositions of Nonclassical Quantum Harmonic Oscillator States
Physical Review X American Physical Society (APS) 16:2 (2026) 021049
Abstract:
Full coherent control and generation of nonclassical superpositions of the quantum harmonic oscillator are not only of fundamental interest but are crucial for applications in quantum simulations, quantum-enhanced metrology, and continuous-variable quantum computation. Here, we create arbitrary superpositions of nonclassical and non-Gaussian states of a quantum harmonic oscillator using the motion of a trapped ion coupled to its internal spin states. We interleave spin-dependent nonlinear interactions with midcircuit spin measurements that herald the probabilistic preparation of superpositions of squeezed, trisqueezed, and quadsqueezed states, which have not previously been experimentally demonstrated. We achieve independent control over the complex-valued squeezing parameter and the probability amplitude of each constituent, as well as their spatial separation. We directly observe the nonclassical nature of these states in the form of Wigner negativity following a full-state reconstruction. Our methods apply to any system where a quantum harmonic oscillator is coupled to a spin.Controlling the spontaneous emission and entanglement of quantum scatterers via modulated reflection of their emitted photons
New Journal of Physics IOP Publishing 27:6 (2025) 064107
Abstract:
We propose an experimental setup for manipulating the spontaneous emission (SE) of quantum scatterers, based on a spatial light modulator. We discuss this idea in the case of trapped barium ions as quantum emitters. A first novelty is the potential to entangle more than two ions through a single photon detection event with programmable adaptive optics. Additionally, this setup can be used to control the SE of single-photons emitted collectively by spatially distinguished quantum emitters.Experimental quantum advantage in the odd-cycle game
Physical Review Letters American Physical Society 134 (2025) 070201
Abstract:
We report the first experimental demonstration of the odd-cycle game. We entangle two atoms separated by ∼ 2 m and the players use them to win the odd-cycle game with a probability ∼ 26σ above that allowed by the best classical strategy. The experiment implements the optimal quantum strategy, is free of loopholes, and achieves 97.8(3) % of the theoretical limit to the quantum winning probability. We perform the associated Bell test and measure a nonlocal content of 0.54(2) – the largest value for physically separate devices, free of the detection loophole, ever observed.
Distributed quantum computing across an optical network link
Nature Nature Research 638:8050 (2025) 383-388