Non-Markovian Noise Characterization with the Transfer Tensor Method

Abstract

We propose simple protocols for performing quantum noise spectroscopy based on the method of transfer tensor maps (TTMs) [Cerrillo and Cao, Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 110401 (2014)]. The TTM approach is a systematic way to deduce the memory kernel of a time-nonlocal quantum master equation via quantum process tomography. With access to the memory kernel, it is possible to (1) assess the non-Markovianity of a quantum process, (2) reconstruct the noise spectral density beyond pure-dephasing models, and (3) investigate collective decoherence in multiqubit devices. We illustrate the usefulness of TTM spectroscopy on the IBM Quantum Experience platform, and demonstrate that the qubits in the IBM device are subject to mild non-Markovian dissipation with spatial correlations.