We demonstrate broadband phase-sensitive amplification (PSA) measurement of squeezed light generated by a waveguide optical parametric amplifier (OPA) with external dispersion compensation. In broadband systems, group velocity dispersion (GVD) induces a frequency-dependent rotation of the squeezing axis, which limits the observable bandwidth in PSA measurements. To overcome this limitation, we introduce external dispersion compensation between two OPAs and suppress the quadrature rotation over a wide frequency range. As a result, we observe a maximum squeezing of 5.9 dB near the carrier frequency and more than 5 dB of squeezing up to a frequency offset of 4.5 THz from the carrier. Furthermore, squeezing below the shot-noise level is confirmed up to a frequency offset of 6 THz from the carrier, corresponding to the accessible phase-matching bandwidth of the waveguide OPA. Our results establish a practical method for broadband characterization of squeezed light and provide a key step toward ultrafast continuous-variable quantum information processing.

Non-Gaussian states are essential resources for universal, fault-tolerant optical quantum computing, but their generation rate remains limited by low heralding probabilities and operation in nanosecond temporal modes. Here, we demonstrate multi-photon generalized photon subtraction in picosecond optical wave packets, establishing the state-generation capability required for high-rate operation by addressing the temporal-mode bottleneck that has constrained the achievable rate. Two interfering ultrashort squeezed vacua are heralded by photon-number-resolving detection with a high-speed transition-edge sensor and characterized by pulsed homodyne detection matched to 10-ps temporal modes at a 5-MHz pump repetition rate. We reconstruct Wigner functions without loss correction that exhibit up to four distinct negative regions for four-photon heralding, together with an effective cat-state amplitude of α_eff = 1.69. This amplitude approaches the range of practical relevance for fault-tolerant cat-code architectures and for adaptive breeding toward logical-qubit generation, while the picosecond temporal mode establishes a platform compatible with high-rate, scalable time-multiplexed photonic architectures.

Light's intrinsic carrier frequency of hundreds of terahertz theoretically enables information processing at terahertz clock rates. In optical quantum computing, continuous-variable quantum teleportation is the fundamental building block for deterministic logic operations. This protocol transfers unknown quantum states between nodes using quantum entanglement and real-time feedforward of measurement outcomes. However, electrical feedforward bottlenecks currently restrict operational bandwidths to approximately 100 megahertz, preventing the exploitation of light's ultimate speed. Here we show 1-terahertz-bandwidth all-optical quantum teleportation, completely bypassing this electronic limitation. By transferring Bell measurement outcomes optically, we successfully teleported vacuum states across the terahertz band and real-time random coherent wavepackets with a 42-picosecond temporal width. Evaluating the intrinsic state transfer quality, we achieved teleportation fidelities of ℱ=0.784 for the broadband vacuum states and ℱ=0.770 for the dynamic coherent wavepackets. Both results strictly surpass the classical limit of ℱ=0.5, demonstrating genuine quantum teleportation at ultrafast speeds. Our results establish that optical quantum processing speeds are constrained solely by the nonlinear medium's 1-picosecond-scale response, rather than classical electrical interfaces. This methodology provides a cornerstone for terahertz-clock quantum computers capable of overcoming Moore's law, and paves the way for a high-capacity, telecom-compatible quantum internet.

Multiphoton subtraction from a traveling squeezed vacuum is a standard route to non-Gaussian optical-state engineering. High state-generation rates call for ultrashort optical pulses driven by high-repetition-rate lasers, but combining higher-order subtraction with ultrashort pulsed light and full state reconstruction remains challenging. Here we demonstrate up to four-photon subtraction from 10-ps squeezed-vacuum wave packets generated by a broadband waveguide optical parametric amplifier. Using a Ti-Au transition-edge sensor for photon-number-resolved heralding and homodyne tomography on the signal mode, we reconstruct the generated states up to the four-photon-subtracted case. The reconstructed states exhibit clear parity-dependent structure and visible Wigner-function negativity without loss correction. These results extend the experimentally accessible regime of multiphoton subtraction in broadband traveling optical modes and establish a platform for non-Gaussian optical resource-state engineering in continuous-variable quantum optics.

Advanced quantum technologies rely on non-Gaussian states of light, essential for universal quantum computation, fault-tolerant error correction, and quantum sensing. Their practical realization, however, faces hurdles: Simulating large multimode generators is computationally demanding, and benchmarks such as the stellar rank do not capture how effectively photon detections yield useful non-Gaussianity. We address these challenges by introducing the non-Gaussian control parameters (s0; delta 0), a continuous and operational measure that goes beyond stellar rank. Leveraging these parameters, we develop a universal optimization method that reduces photon-number requirements and greatly enhances success probabilities while preserving state quality. Applied to the Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill state generation, for example, our method cuts the required photon detections by a factor of 3 and raises the preparation probability by nearly 108. Demonstrations across cat states, cubic phase states, Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill states, and even random states confirm broad gains in experimental feasibility. Our results provide a unifying principle for resource-efficient non-Gaussian state generation, charting a practical route toward scalable optical quantum technologies and fault-tolerant quantum computation.

We generate 10.1±0.2-dB squeezed light from a broadband optical parametric amplifier based on a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide by employing a novel phase-locking method that improves phase-locking accuracy without additional optical loss.

We demonstrate the generation of 12.1 ± 0.2 dB squeezed light from a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide optical parametric amplifier (OPA). While single-pass OPAs offer squeezed light with THz-order bandwidths, loss from spatial mode mismatch between the squeezed light and the local oscillator (LO) previously capped the squeezing level at ∼10 dB [K. Hirota et al., Opt. Express 34, 7958 (2026)]. In this work, we minimize this loss by introducing a machine-learning-optimized spatial light modulator (SLM) in the path of the LO. Specifically, we employed a double-reflection configuration to increase the spatial degrees of freedom, and directly used the measured squeezing level as the optimization's objective function.

We experimentally demonstrate the continuous-variable quantum approximate optimization algorithm (CV-QAOA) for multi-variable problems and multiple QAOA depths using a measurement-based CV quantum computing platform on a quad-rail lattice (QRL) cluster state. We propose a systematic method to map arbitrary quadratic cost functions onto the QRL architecture and examine the resulting construction in settings involving up to 100 modes. Using the programmable platform, we prepare the CV-QAOA ansatz and optimize the variational parameters via Bayesian optimization. We then investigate the performance on quadratic optimization problems and observe that increasing the depth from 1 to 2 improves performance, whereas further increases yield only limited gains. In contrast, numerical simulations under idealized conditions, assuming an infinite number of measurement shots and gradient-based optimization, indicate that the performance of CV-QAOA can improve with increasing depth, suggesting that the experimentally observed limitations primarily arise from noise accumulation and classical optimization challenges. This work provides an experimental demonstration of CV-QAOA on a programmable CV platform and establishes a foundation for future developments of variational quantum algorithms in CV systems.

We report detection of 10.1 ± 0.2-dB squeezed light from a broadband periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide optical parametric amplifier (OPA). Based on our previous report, where a similar PPLN waveguide shows 8.3-dB squeezing [T. Kashiwazaki et al., Appl. Phys. Lett.122, 234003 (2023)10.1063/5.0144385], we reduce phase fluctuations and overall optical losses in the measurement system. In particular, we introduce a phase detection technique that does not require tapping a part of the squeezed light to get a phase locking signal. We use a phase-detection OPA seeded by a tapped probe and pump light before a squeezer OPA. This configuration breaks the conventional trade-off between generating a phase-locking signal with a high signal-to-noise ratio and suppressing the degradation of the squeezing level caused by optical tapping. With all these improvements, the phase fluctuation angle is reduced from 14 mrad to 9 mrad, and the total optical loss from 12% to 8%. Achieving more than 10 dB of squeezing by the broadband waveguide OPA is a significant step towards the realization of fault-tolerant ultra-fast universal optical quantum computation.

Wave–particle duality is a hallmark of quantum mechanics. For bosonic systems, there exists a continuum of intermediate states bridging wave-like Schrödinger cat states and particle-like Fock states. Such states have recently been recognized as valuable resources for enhancing fault-tolerant quantum computation (FTQC) with propagating light. Here we experimentally demonstrate tunable generation of these intermediate states by employing generalized photon subtraction (GPS). By detecting up to three photons from squeezed-light sources with a photon-number-resolving detector, we continuously control the balance between wave- and particle-like features. This approach allows us to construct a spectral family of quantum states with high generation rates, optimized according to the required fault-tolerance threshold. Our results establish GPS as a versatile toolbox for tailoring non-Gaussian resources, opening a pathway to efficient Gottesman–Kitaev–Preskill (GKP) qubit generation and addressing a central bottleneck in optical quantum computing.

Quantum computing holds the potential to revolutionize fields such as cryptography, optimization, and quantum simulations. Among various quantum computing approaches, optical quantum computers are particularly promising due to their high-speed operations, scalability, and compatibility with communication technologies [1]. Recent advances in time-domain multiplexing have demonstrated the proof of principle of large-scale analog quantum computation in optical setups [2], [3]. However, previous systems have been limited by the number of inputs, clock frequency, and flexibility.

The development of quantum technology is facing substantial scientific and technological challenges. More importantly, there are as-yet-unknown aspects and applications of quantum technology to be uncovered. There is thus global acknowledgement by stakeholder communities and governments alike that the ongoing advancement of quantum science and technology ought to be an international pursuit in which the strain between competition and cooperation is balanced through collaboration. It is in this spirit of “coopetition” that this article seeks to give a cross-sectional view of the state of Quantum 2.0 technology in the USA, Europe and Japan, by providing the predictions of a large number of experts concerning progress in quantum technology over the next two decades.

Utilizing feedforward to perform adaptive quantum operations on one entangled state according to the measurement result of the other state enables measurement-based quantum information processing (QIP). Until now, the bandwidth of feedforward in optical QIP has been limited to around 100 MHz by measurement with electronics. A potential alternative is the utilization of an optical parametric amplifier (OPA). This optical device eliminates the need for electronic measuring devices and enables all-optical broadband feedforward. In this paper, we demonstrate a variable squeezing gate with an operation bandwidth of 1.3 THz by all-optical measurement-device-free feedforward. We utilize a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide as a broadband OPA and perform continuous phase locking in our optical system. Experimental results demonstrate that our all-optical QIP operates at a THz clock frequency, representing a major step toward the realization of an ultra-fast quantum computer.

Optical technology is a highly promising platform for quantum computing due to its enormous potential for large-scale, ultrafast computation. However, realizing a programmable and scalable system remains a significant challenge. Here, we present a high-speed programmable Gaussian quantum computing platform with one hundred inputs based on a continuous-variable full-stack architecture. Our system features a 100 MHz clock frequency and integrates a cloud-based interface with an open-source Python software development kit, mqc3, significantly enhancing accessibility and operational flexibility. We provide a comprehensive characterization of our system and its capabilities through multi-input and multi-step teleportation, as well as the programmable routing of quantum states across 101 input modes. This platform represents a critical milestone in scalable analog quantum information processing, offering a robust testbed for the future integration of non-Gaussian resources and the development of large-scale optical neural networks.

We demonstrate an all-optical feedforward operation through the utilization of waveguide optical parametric amplifiers made of periodically-poled lithium niobate, which breaks the limitation due to electrical processing and enables THz-clock ultrafast optical quantum computation. © 2024 The Authors

We propose a framework of parameter-shift rule for variational quantum algorithms that provides a unified description of previous extensions, together with unexplored use cases such as adaptive circuits, quantum state engineering, and CV-DV hybrid systems.

RIKEN covers fundamental research on physics, chemistry, biology, life and medical science, information and mathematical science, and engineering. Here, we outline research activities on quantum materials and quantum technology that include topological and correlated materials, spintronics, nanoscale materials and structures, atomic and quantum optics, and quantum computing.

Generating logical qubits, essential for error detection and correction in quantum computation, remains a critical challenge in continuous-variable (CV) optical quantum information processing. The Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) code is a leading candidate for logical qubits, and its generation requires large-amplitude coherent state superpositions – Schrödinger cat states. However, experimentally producing these resource states has been hindered in the optical domain by technical challenges. The photon subtraction method, a standard approach for generating cat states using a squeezed vacuum and a photon number-resolving detector, has proven difficult to scale to multi-photon operations. While the amplitude of the generated cat states increases with the number of subtracted photons, limitations in the generation rate have restricted the maximum photon subtraction to n=3 for over a decade. In this work, we demonstrate high-rate photon subtraction of up to four photons from a squeezed vacuum with picosecond wavepackets generated by a broadband optical parametric amplifier. Using a Ti-Au superconducting-transition-edge sensor, we achieve high-speed, high-resolution photon number discrimination. The resulting states exhibit Wigner function negativity without loss correction, and their quantum coherence is verified through off-diagonal density matrix elements in CV representation. These results overcome long-standing limitations in multi-photon operations, providing a critical foundation for generating quantum resources essential for fault-tolerant quantum computing and advancing ultrafast optical quantum processors.

Optical quantum computing is a promising approach for achieving large-scale quantum computation. While Gaussian operations have been successfully scaled, the inherently weak nonlinearity in optics makes generating highly non-Gaussian states a critical challenge for universality and fault tolerance. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a scalable method to generate optical non-Gaussian states with a resonator-based quantum memory that supports continuous-time storage and retrieval, in contrast to conventional loop-based memories. We introduce a dual-mode operation of the memory, enabling both storage and entangling functionalities within a single device. By employing a time-domain-multiplexed approach, we successfully demonstrate both cat and Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill breeding protocols in a scalable fashion, marking a key step toward quantum error correction. Our experiment also marks the first full demonstration of an optical resonator memory performing writing, storage, and readout operations. We validate the memory by storing squeezed single-photon states with up to 93% total efficiency, and measure an energy relaxation time T_{1}=2.3μs and dephasing time T_{ϕ}=0.96μs. These results establish a scalable pathway to generating complex non-Gaussian states required for fault-tolerant optical quantum computing. Beyond computation, our techniques provide new tools for enhancing quantum communication, sensing, and metrology.

Light has a high carrier frequency of hundreds of THz and has the potential to realize ultrafast quantum information processing. Time-domain multiplexed continuous-variable optical quantum computation has recently attracted much attention [1]. In this method, it is important to encode optical quantum states in wavepackets with short temporal widths because the width of the quantum state determines the clock frequency of the computation. So far, in the continuous-wave (CW) light field, this wavepacket width has been limited by the bandwidth of homodyne measurements, which read out the quadratures of the quantum state. Recently, a technique using phase-sensitive amplifiers (PSAs) and broadband homodyne detectors with CW light has been developed [2]. Using that, the wavepacket width of quantum entangled states was successfully shortened to the picosecond scale [3]. However, the wavepacket width of the Schrödinger cat state, which is a phase-sensitive non-Gaussian state, was limited to the sub-nanosecond scale due to the timing jitter of the photon detector [4].