Algorithmic Cooling and Scalable NMR Quantum Computers

Abstract

We present here algorithmic cooling (via polarization-heat-bath)- a powerful method for obtaining a large number of highly polarized spins in liquid nuclear-spin systems at finite temperature. Given that spin-half states represent (quantum) bits, algorithmic cooling cleans dirty bits beyond the Shannon's bound on data compression, by employing a set of rapidly thermal-relaxing bits. Such auxiliary bits could be implemented using spins that rapidly get into thermal equilibrium with the environment, e.g., electron spins. Cooling spins to a very low temperature without cooling the environment could lead to a breakthrough in nuclear magnetic resonance experiments, and our ``spin-refrigerating'' method suggests that this is possible. The scaling of NMR ensemble computers is probably the main obstacle to building useful quantum computing devices, and our spin-refrigerating method suggests that this problem can be resolved.