We improve the quality of quantum circuits on superconducting quantum computing systems, as measured by the quantum volume (QV), with a combination of dynamical decoupling, compiler optimizations, shorter two-qubit gates, and excited state promoted readout. This result shows that the path to larger QV systems requires the simultaneous increase of coherence, control gate fidelities, measurement fidelities, and smarter software which takes into account hardware details, thereby demonstrating the need to continue to co-design the software and hardware stack for the foreseeable future.

As superconducting quantum circuits scale to larger sizes, the problem of frequency crowding proves a formidable task. Here we present a solution for this problem in fixed-frequency qubit architectures. By systematically adjusting qubit frequencies post-fabrication, we show a nearly tenfold improvement in the precision of setting qubit frequencies. To assess scalability, we identify the types of “frequency collisions” that will impair a transmon qubit and cross-resonance gate architecture. Using statistical modeling, we compute the probability of evading all such conditions, as a function of qubit frequency precision. We find that, without post-fabrication tuning, the probability of finding a workable lattice quickly approaches 0. However, with the demonstrated precisions it is possible to find collision-free lattices with favorable yield. These techniques and models are currently employed in available quantum systems and will be indispensable as systems continue to scale to larger sizes.

Infrared tunable diode-laser absorption spectroscopy (IR-TDLAS) is an enabling technology for trace-gas detection, with applications ranging from air-quality monitoring to medical diagnostics. However, such sensors typically utilize discrete optical components that pose practical cost limits for large-scale network deployments. Here, we leverage silicon photonics technology to demonstrate IR-TDLAS on an integrated CMOS-compatible platform for methane (${\mathrm{CH}}_4$) spectroscopy. Using near-IR (1650 nm) light from a distributed-feedback laser and an uncooled InGaAs detector, the evanescent optical field of a high-index contrast nanoscale silicon waveguide is used to probe ambient ${\mathrm{CH}}_4$, yielding Gaussian-noise-limited sub-100 parts-per-million by volume detection limits. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of chip-scale photonic integration for realizing compact, cost-effective, and versatile gas sensors capable of tackling diverse energy and environmental challenges, such as natural-gas leak quantification and localization for fugitive-emissions monitoring.

Scaling the number of qubits while maintaining high-fidelity quantum gates remains a key challenge for quantum computing. Presently, superconducting quantum processors with >50 qubits are actively available. For these systems, fixed-frequency transmons are attractive because of their long coherence and noise immunity. However, scaling fixed-frequency architectures proves challenging because of precise relative frequency requirements. Here, we use laser annealing to selectively tune transmon qubits into desired frequency patterns. Statistics over hundreds of annealed qubits demonstrate an empirical tuning precision of 18.5 MHz, with no measurable impact on qubit coherence. We quantify gate error statistics on a tuned 65-qubit processor, with median two-qubit gate fidelity of 98.7%. Baseline tuning statistics yield a frequency-equivalent resistance precision of 4.7 MHz, sufficient for high-yield scaling beyond 10 ³ qubit levels. Moving forward, we anticipate selective laser annealing to play a central role in scaling fixed-frequency architectures.

Quantum computers built with superconducting artificial atoms already stretch the limits of their classical counterparts. While the lowest energy states of these artificial atoms serve as the qubit basis, the higher levels are responsible for both a host of attractive gate schemes as well as generating undesired interactions. In particular, when coupling these atoms to generate entanglement, the higher levels cause shifts in the computational levels that lead to unwanted $ZZ$ quantum crosstalk. Here, we present a novel technique to manipulate the energy levels and mitigate this crosstalk with simultaneous off-resonant drives on coupled qubits. This breaks a fundamental deadlock between qubit-qubit coupling and crosstalk. In a fixed-frequency transmon architecture with strong coupling and crosstalk cancellation, additional cross-resonance drives enable a 90 ns CNOT with a gate error of $(0.19\pm 0.02)\%$, while a second set of off-resonant drives enables a novel CZ gate. Furthermore, we show a definitive improvement in circuit performance with crosstalk cancellation over seven qubits, demonstrating the scalability of the technique. This Letter paves the way for superconducting hardware with faster gates and greatly improved multiqubit circuit fidelities.

An etch method based on surface tension driven flows of hydrofluoric acid microdroplets for the fabrication of low-loss, subwavelength-diameter biconical fiber tapers is presented. Tapers with losses less than 0.1 dB/mm are demonstrated, corresponding to an order of magnitude increase in the optical transmission over previous acid-etch techniques. The etch method produces adiabatic taper transitions with minimal surface corrugations. A biconical fiber taper fabricated using this method is used to demonstrate an erbium doped silica microsphere laser.