Decoherence of charge qubit coupled to interacting background charges

Abstract

The major contribution to decoherence of a double quantum dot or a Josephson-junction charge qubit comes from the electrostatic coupling to fluctuating background charges hybridized with the conduction electrons in the reservoir. However, estimations according to previously developed theories show that finding a sufficient number of effective fluctuators in a realistic experimental layout is quite improbable. We show that this paradox is resolved by allowing for a short-range Coulomb interaction of the fluctuators with the electrons in the reservoir. This dramatically enhances both the number of effective fluctuators and their contribution to decoherence, resulting in the most dangerous decoherence mechanism for charge qubits.