Gaussian Error Correction of Quantum States in a Correlated Noisy Channel

Abstract

Noise is the main obstacle for the realization of fault-tolerant quantum information processing and secure communication over long distances. In this work, we propose a communication protocol relying on simple linear optics that optimally protects quantum states from non-Markovian or correlated noise. We implement the protocol experimentally and demonstrate the near-ideal protection of coherent and entangled states in an extremely noisy channel. Since all real-life channels are exhibiting pronounced non-Markovian behavior, the proposed protocol will have immediate implications in improving the performance of various quantum information protocols.