Open Quantum System Approaches to Superconducting Qubits

Abstract: Random and uncontrollable noises from the environment during the design and measurement of superconducting qubits lead to limitations in qubit coherence time and gate fidelity, which is a major challenge in the current state of the art for superconducting quantum computing. To advance superconducting qubits technologies it is essential to understand and mitigate environmentally induced errors. This requires modeling superconducting qubits as open quantum systems coupled to their surroundings. The present study aims to provide useful open quantum system approaches to analyze and quantify the interaction between the superconducting qubits and their environment. We provide an accessible introduction to open quantum systems for newcomers to the field. For experts we discuss recently developed methods for analyzing qubit dynamics under realistic noises. We outline how these techniques provide quantitative insights into the decoherence mechanism and how they can guide design improvements to enhance qubits' coherence time. This self-contained review of open quantum system approaches can be used to model, understand, and improve superconducting qubit performance in the presence of unavoidable environmental noises.