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Error-correcting transition pulses for colocated spin ensembles without frequency selectivity

K. L. Wood and W. A. Terrano*

  • *Contact author: wterrano@asu.edu
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Phys. Rev. A 114, L020401 – Published 13 August, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/zrhq-44zs

Abstract

We present a class of control pulses designed to transfer colocated ensembles without relying on frequency selectivity, thereby allowing much faster state transitions. A geometric approach allows us to construct sequences which are robust to changes in the background magnetic field along multiple axes, and errors in the pulse area. These pulses are extremely fast, with robustness to pulse area shown at half the quantum speed limit. We demonstrate these sequences on nuclear-dipole states, showing milliradian precision over several hours, 30-fold beyond the previous state of the art. This provides a path for extending the coherent integration time of ultralong-lived nuclear-spin states to the fundamental limit set by their >10000 s lifetimes, as the limiting self-interactions of the nuclei are suppressed in the symmetric superposition. The state-preparation quality demonstrated here directly opens up 30-fold improvements in next generation tests of the standard model, especially tests of the symmetries of QCD and searches for dark matter; it is also crucial for the development of nuclear-spin-based quantum memories and may be useful in other scenarios demanding extremely fast but robust transitions.

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. A 114, L020401– Published 13 August, 2026
  • Received 8 August 2025
  • Revised 17 April 2026
  • Accepted 6 July 2026
Article part of CHORUS
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