title: Localization of toric code defects.
abstract: We explore the possibility of passive error correction in the toric code model. We first show that even coherent dynamics, stemming from spin interactions or the coupling to an external magnetic field, lead to logical errors. We then argue that Anderson localization of the defects, arising from unavoidable fluctuations of the coupling constants, provides a remedy. This protection is demonstrated by using general analytical arguments that are complemented with numerical results which show that self-correcting memory can in principle be achieved in the limit of a nonzero density of identical defects.
authors.affiliation: Theoretische Physik, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Cyril
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: Lode
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pollet
authors.forename: Ataç
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Imamoğlu
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Renner