Switchable Next-Nearest-Neighbor Coupling for Controlled Two-Qubit Operations

Minimizing gate depth is important for extending the computational power of a noisy quantum processor, and native multiqubit gates could dramatically reduce the gate depth of generic circuits. To that end, although various approaches have been proposed, practical realization may be hindered by stringent control requirements, or by poor compatibility with existing schemes for one- or two-qubit operations. Here researchers employ a scalable architecture comprising two types of qubits to realize switchable coupling. This allows for a simple control strategy to realize native three-qubit gates, which may become a key element in $e.g.$ quantum chemistry simulations.