Abstract

Current schemes for implementing quantum logic involve controlled coupling between two-level systems, or qubits, which requires a large number of qubits to be entangled coherently for information processing. A multilevel basis for quantum information minimizes the number of systems that need to be entangled. We present the requirements for multilevel quantum logic in a dual basis formalism that emphasizes the key role played by the Fourier transform in quantum algorithms. We discuss a realization in atomic systems, where the two bases consist of energy levels and wave packets, and examine the practical resources needed for controlling each basis.

© 2001 Optical Society of America