Level 6 · Research preparation · advanced assessment
Complete-cycle quantum energy audit
Close every preparation, control, feedback, extraction, and reset channel before evaluating a net-work claim.
Complete all three challenges. Show assumptions, units, uncertainty, and the boundary between calculation, model-dependent inference, observation, and unresolved claim.
Challenge 1 · derivation
Derive the complete-cycle balance
For a measured-and-feedback quantum cycle, derive the first-law balance including working-medium energy, extracted work, heat, measurement/control work, memory reset, and state return. Show the condition under which a partial-cycle gain disappears.
Required deliverables
- • Stage-resolved symbolic ledger
- • Complete-cycle net-work expression
- • State-return and ideal-limit checks
Scoring criteria · 20 points
- • Energy terms and signs: 8 points
- • Information/control costs included: 7 points
- • Cycle-closure checks: 5 points
Challenge 2 · analysis
Optimize against honest null benchmarks
Using a synthetic cycle dataset, estimate net work and uncertainty across feedback strength and temperature. Compare with no-feedback, randomized-feedback, and best classical-controller benchmarks.
Required deliverables
- • Complete-cycle records for at least 24 conditions
- • Net-work confidence intervals and benchmark plot
- • Optimization-bias correction or held-out confirmation
Scoring criteria · 20 points
- • Ledger closes for each condition: 7 points
- • Benchmarks and uncertainty are appropriate: 7 points
- • Optimization bias is controlled: 6 points
Challenge 3 · design
Preregister a closed-cycle device test
Design a device-level test of a restricted quantum-energy claim with independent metering of drive, control, refrigeration, reset, and useful output. Specify drift controls and an outcome that closes the claim.
Required deliverables
- • System boundary and metering diagram
- • Null, sham, and calibration schedule
- • Unblinding, closure, and replication rules
Scoring criteria · 20 points
- • Boundary includes all required resources: 7 points
- • Metrology can resolve the claimed effect: 7 points
- • Decision rules prevent partial-ledger claims: 6 points
Instructor solution outlines
Look for reasoning that survives inspection
1. Derive the complete-cycle balance
- • Assign energy flows to preparation, measurement, feedback, extraction, and reset.
- • Include the controller and memory among the resources that must be restored.
- • A positive extraction stage does not imply positive complete-cycle work.
2. Optimize against honest null benchmarks
- • Compute net work only where every declared stage and state-return flag is present.
- • Tune on one subset and confirm the selected condition on held-out cycles.
- • Attribute an advantage only relative to the strongest preregistered comparable benchmark.
3. Preregister a closed-cycle device test
- • Measure every energy channel on a common clock and calibration basis.
- • Use randomized shams and known-energy injections.
- • Require both energy closure and reproducible state return before interpreting net output.