Improving qubit readout with hidden Markov models

We demonstrate the application of pattern recognition algorithms via hidden Markov models (HMM) for qubit readout. This scheme provides a state-path trajectory approach capable of detecting qubit-state transitions and makes for a robust classification scheme with higher starting-state assignment fidelity than when compared to a multivariate Gaussian or a support vector machine scheme. Therefore, the method also eliminates the qubit-dependent readout time optimization requirement in current schemes. Using a HMM state discriminator we estimate fidelities reaching the ideal limit. Unsupervised learning gives access to transition matrix, priors, and $IQ$ distributions, providing a toolbox for studying qubit-state dynamics during strong projective readout.