The impact of single-photon loss on symmetry breaking quantum error correction

This article presents a detailed study of symmetry breaking quantum error correction (QEC) with a focus on the role of single-photon and two-photon losses in continuous-variable quantum systems. By employing a model that includes two-photon driving and several dissipation mechanisms, we explore its phase transitions and error-correction capabilities in different symmetry scenarios. A scheme for estimating the impact of single-photon loss under the symmetry breaking QEC framework is proposed, based on which we further utilize numerical simulations to demonstrate how the system’s parameters affect the fidelity of QEC and the stability of quantum states against the interaction with environments. We expect that the evaluation method shown here can act as an applicable tool for assessing the influence of single-photon loss and therefore guide future experiments to design more robust passive quantum error-correcting codes that operate under realistic conditions.