Hexagonal \(CZ\) code[1]
Description
A cubic theory code defined on a hexagonal lattice in 2D. Its stabilizers are products of Pauli-\(Z\) operators and \(CZ\) gates [1; Fig. 6][2; Fig. 3]. The ground-state subspace of the hexagonal \(CZ\) code realizes the topological order of the \(G=\mathbb{Z}_3^2\) TQD model [1,3], which is the same topological order as the \(G=D_4\) quantum double [4,5]. The stabilizers include \(CZ\) operators acting on hexagonal loops, but a reduced version exists where only two \(CZ\) gates act on each loop [2].Gates
The hexagonal \(CZ\) code can be obtained from two surface codes by gauging [6–8,8] their logical \(CZ\) gate [2]. Gates on the two surface codes in the third level of the Clifford hierarchy, such as \(CZ\) gates, can be realized fault tolerantly by performing this procedure and reversing it [2].Fault Tolerance
The hexagonal \(CZ\) code can be obtained from two surface codes by gauging [6–8,8] their logical \(CZ\) gate [2]. Gates on the two surface codes in the third level of the Clifford hierarchy, such as \(CZ\) gates, can be realized fault tolerantly by performing this procedure and reversing it [2].Realizations
Signatures of the phase detected in a 27-qubit trapped-ion device by Quantinuum [9]. Preparation of ground states and braiding of anyons has also been performed.Notes
Popular summary of realization of non-Abelian topological order in Quanta Magazine.Cousins
- Dihedral \(G=D_m\) quantum-double code— The ground-state subspace of the hexagonal \(CZ\) code realizes the topological order of the \(G=\mathbb{Z}_3^2\) TQD model [1,3], which is the same topological order as the \(G=D_4\) quantum double [4,5].
- Kitaev surface code— The hexagonal \(CZ\) code can be obtained from two surface codes by gauging [6–8,8] their logical \(CZ\) gate [2]. Gates on the two surface codes in the third level of the Clifford hierarchy, such as \(CZ\) gates, can be realized fault tolerantly by performing this procedure and reversing it [2].
- Symmetry-protected topological (SPT) code— The hexagonal \(CZ\) code can be obtained by gauging [6–8,8] the symmetry of a particular SPT [1].
- Brickwork \(XS\) stabilizer code— The brickwork \(XS\) stabilizer code and the hexagonal \(CZ\) code realize the same topological phases and are equivalent via a local unitary [2,10].
Primary Hierarchy
Parents
The cubic theory code defined on a hexagonal lattice reduces to the hexagonal \(CZ\) code [3].
Hexagonal \(CZ\) code
References
- [1]
- B. Yoshida, “Topological phases with generalized global symmetries”, Physical Review B 93, (2016) arXiv:1508.03468 DOI
- [2]
- M. Davydova, A. Bauer, J. C. M. de la Fuente, M. Webster, D. J. Williamson, and B. J. Brown, “Universal fault tolerant quantum computation in 2D without getting tied in knots”, (2025) arXiv:2503.15751
- [3]
- P.-S. Hsin, R. Kobayashi, and G. Zhu, “Non-Abelian Self-Correcting Quantum Memory”, (2024) arXiv:2405.11719
- [4]
- M. de W. Propitius, “Topological interactions in broken gauge theories”, (1995) arXiv:hep-th/9511195
- [5]
- L. Lootens, B. Vancraeynest-De Cuiper, N. Schuch, and F. Verstraete, “Mapping between Morita-equivalent string-net states with a constant depth quantum circuit”, Physical Review B 105, (2022) arXiv:2112.12757 DOI
- [6]
- M. Levin and Z.-C. Gu, “Braiding statistics approach to symmetry-protected topological phases”, Physical Review B 86, (2012) arXiv:1202.3120 DOI
- [7]
- L. Bhardwaj, D. Gaiotto, and A. Kapustin, “State sum constructions of spin-TFTs and string net constructions of fermionic phases of matter”, Journal of High Energy Physics 2017, (2017) arXiv:1605.01640 DOI
- [8]
- W. Shirley, K. Slagle, and X. Chen, “Foliated fracton order from gauging subsystem symmetries”, SciPost Physics 6, (2019) arXiv:1806.08679 DOI
- [9]
- M. Iqbal et al., “Non-Abelian topological order and anyons on a trapped-ion processor”, Nature 626, 505 (2024) arXiv:2305.03766 DOI
- [10]
- Benjamin J. Brown, private communication, 2025
Page edit log
- Victor V. Albert (2025-07-03) — most recent
- Benjamin J. Brown (2025-07-03)
Cite as:
“Hexagonal \(CZ\) code”, The Error Correction Zoo (V. V. Albert & P. Faist, eds.), 2025. https://errorcorrectionzoo.org/c/hexagonal_cz