cirq.experiments.t2_decay

Runs a t2 transverse relaxation experiment.

cirq.experiments.t2_decay(
    sampler: "cirq.Sampler",
    *,
    qubit: "cirq.Qid" = ExperimentType.RAMSEY,
    experiment_type: "ExperimentType" = cirq.experiments.t2_decay_experiment.ExperimentType.RAMSEY,
    num_points: int = 1000,
    max_delay: "cirq.DURATION_LIKE" = None,
    min_delay: "cirq.DURATION_LIKE" = None,
    repetitions: int = 1000,
    delay_sweep: Optional[cirq.study.Sweep] = None,
    num_pulses: List[int] = None
) -> Union['cirq.experiments.T2DecayResult', List['cirq.experiments.T2DecayResult']]

Initializes a qubit into a superposition state, evolves the system using rules determined by the experiment type and by the delay parameters, then rotates back for measurement. This will measure the phase decoherence decay. This experiment has three types of T2 metrics, each which measure a different slice of the noise spectrum.

For the Ramsey experiment type (often denoted T2*), the state will be prepared with a square root Y gate (cirq.Y ** 0.5) and then waits for a variable amount of time. After this time, it will do basic state tomography to measure the expectation of the Pauli-X and Pauli-Y operators by performing either a cirq.Y ** -0.5 or cirq.X ** 0.5. The square of these two measurements is summed to determine the length of the Bloch vector. This experiment measures the phase decoherence of the system under free evolution.

For the Hahn echo experiment (often denoted T2 or spin echo), the state will also be prepared with a square root Y gate (cirq.Y ** 0.5). However, during the mid-point of the delay time being measured, a pi-pulse (cirq.X) gate will be applied to cancel out inhomogeneous dephasing. The same method of measuring the final state as Ramsey experiment is applied after the second half of the delay period. See the animation on the wiki page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin_echo for a visual illustration of this experiment.

CPMG, or the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill sequence, involves using a sqrt(Y) followed by a sequence of pi pulses (X gates) in a specific timing pattern:

π/2, t, π, 2t, π, ... 2t, π, t

The first pulse, a sqrt(Y) gate, will put the qubit's state on the Bloch equator. After a delay, successive X gates will refocus dehomogenous phase effects by causing them to precess in opposite directions and averaging their effects across the entire pulse train.

This pulse pattern has two variables that can be adjusted. The first, denoted as 't' in the above sequence, is delay, which can be specified with delay_min and delay_max or by using a delay_sweep, similar to the other experiments. The second variable is the number of pi pulses (X gates). This can be specified as a list of integers using the num_pulses parameter. If multiple different pulses are specified, the data will be presented in a data frame with two indices (delay_ns and num_pulses).

See the following reference for more information about CPMG pulse trains: Meiboom, S., and D. Gill, “Modified spin-echo method for measuring nuclear relaxation times”, Rev. Sci. Inst., 29, 688–691 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1716296

Note that interpreting T2 data is fairly tricky and subtle, as it can include other effects that need to be accounted for. For instance, amplitude damping (T1) will present as T2 noise and needs to be appropriately compensated for to find a true measure of T2. Due to this subtlety and lack of standard way to interpret the data, the fitting of the data to an exponential curve and the extrapolation of an actual T2 time value is left as an exercise to the reader.

sampler The quantum engine or simulator to run the circuits.
qubit The qubit under test.
experiment_type The type of T2 test to run.
num_points The number of evenly spaced delays to test.
max_delay The largest delay to test.
min_delay The smallest delay to test. Defaults to no delay.
repetitions The number of repetitions of the circuit for each delay and for each tomography result.
delay_sweep Optional range of time delays to sweep across. This should be a SingleSweep using the 'delay_ns' with values in integer number of nanoseconds. If specified, this will override the max_delay and min_delay parameters. If not specified, the experiment will sweep from min_delay to max_delay with linear steps.
num_pulses For CPMG, a list of the number of pulses to use. If multiple pulses are specified, each will be swept on.

A T2DecayResult object that stores and can plot the data.