Over the last decade and a half, superconducting circuits have advanced to the point where we can generate and detect highly-entangled states, perform universal quantum gates, and even demonstrate small working algorithms. These macroscopic, artificial systems now allow us to tailor-make interesting Hamiltonians with several interacting degrees of freedom. Meanwhile, the coherence properties of these systems have improved more than 10,000-fold. I will describe recent experiments, such as the most recent advance in coherence using a three-dimensional realization of qubits and cavities (3D circuit QED) and the implementation of rudimentary error-correction protocols. I will also discuss the prospects for the future of this rapidly advancing field.
Department of Physics, Yale University (USA)