Optical implementation of a POVM measurement for photonic cluster-state quantum computing
Coauthors: Terry Rudolph, Nathan Killoran, Rainer Kaltenbaek, Deny Hamel, and Kevin J. Resch
The one-way or cluster-state model has shown promise as an alternative to the quantum circuit model for quantum computing with photons. However, experimental implementations are currently limited by the difficulty of generating many entangled photons. Recent theory has shown that 'virtual qubits' may be added to a given graph by replacing one or more projective measurements on the cluster with a POVM. We experimentally demonstrate the ability to perform a three-qubit cluster computation using only two entangled photons and a linear-optical POVM. A three-qubit cluster is sufficient to prepare arbitrary qubit states; by spatially separating the two photons we achieve the first deterministic Remote State Preparation (RSP) of arbitrary polarization qubits. Our results feature an an achieved mean RSP fidelity of 0.9832 +/- 0.0002 for several hundred pure states spread over the Bloch sphere, as well as the ability to remotely prepare mixed states, and the clear violation of thresholds limiting the RSP fidelity achievable without entanglement.