Scrutinizing single-qubit quantum channels: Theory and experiment with trapped ions

We report experimental implementation of various types of qubit channels using an individual trapped ion. We analyzed experimental data and we performed tomographic reconstruction of quantum channels based on these data. Specifically, we studied phase damping channels, where the damping acts either in the xy-plane of the Bloch sphere or in an arbitrary plane that includes the origin of the Bloch sphere. We also experimentally realized and consequently analyzed quantum channels that in addition to phase damping affect also a polarization rotation. We used three reconstruction schemes for estimation of quantum channels from experimental data: (1) a linear inverse method, (2) a maximum likelihood estimation, and (3) a constrained maximum likelihood estimation. We took into account realistic experimental conditions where imperfect test-state preparations and biased measurements are incorporated into the estimation schemes. As a result we found that imperfections present in the process of preparation of test states and as well as in measurements of the considered ion trap system do not limit the control of the implementation of the desired channel. Even imperfect preparation of test state and subsequent measurements still provide sufficient resources for the complete quantum-channel tomography.