Optimal storage time for $N$ qubits coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide

Abstract

Symmetry-protected subradiance is known to guarantee high qubit storage times in free space. We show that in one-dimensional waveguides, this is also true, but that even longer qubit storage times can be identified by considering the eigenspectrum of the qubit-qubit coupling matrix. In the process, we introduce three theorems about $N$ qubits coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide: i) the coupling matrix, which is otherwise non-singular over a continuum of qubit separation values, contains point-singularities; ii) the collective decay rates have symmetric properties, and iii) a linear chain of qubits coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide exhibits symmetry-protected subradiance. Our results will be beneficial for designing memory applications for future quantum technologies.