A roadmap for the future direction of quantum simulation has been set out in a paper co-authored at the University of Strathclyde.
Quantum computers are enormously powerful devices with a speed and calculation capability that is far beyond the reach of classical or binary computing. Instead of a binary system of zeros and ones, it works by overlays, which can be zeros, ones, or both at the same time.
The development of quantum computing, in continuous evolution, has reached the point of having an advantage over classical computers for an artificial problem. It could have future applications in a wide range of areas. A promising class of problems involves the simulation of quantum systems, with potential applications such as the development of battery materials, industrial catalysis, and nitrogen fixation.
The paper, published in Nature, explores the short- and medium-term possibilities for quantum simulation on analog and digital platforms to help assess the potential of this area. It has been co-authored by researchers from Strathclyde, the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, the Center for Quantum Science and Technology Munich, the University of Innsbruck, the Institute for Quantum Optics and Information Quantum of the Austrian Academy. of Sciences and Microsoft Corporation.
Professor Andrew Daley, from Strathclyde’s Department of Physics, is the lead author of the paper. He said: “There has been great progress in analog and digital quantum simulation in recent years, and quantum simulation is one of the most promising fields in quantum information processing. It is already quite mature, both in terms of development of algorithms. , and in the availability of significantly advanced analog quantum simulation experiments internationally.
“In the history of computing, classical analog and digital computing coexisted for more than half a century, with a gradual transition to digital computing, and we expect the same to happen with the emergence of quantum simulation.
“As a next step in the development of this technology, it is now important to discuss the ‘practical quantum edge’, the point at which quantum devices will solve problems of practical interest that are not manageable for traditional supercomputers.
“Many of the most promising near-term applications of quantum computers lie under the umbrella of quantum simulation: modeling the quantum properties of microscopic particles that are directly relevant to understanding modern materials science, high-energy physics, and quantum chemistry
“Quantum simulation should be possible in the future on fault-tolerant digital quantum computers with greater flexibility and accuracy, but today it can also be done for specific models using special-purpose analog quantum simulators. This happens analogously to the “study. of aerodynamics, which can be carried out in a wind tunnel or through simulations on a digital computer. Where aerodynamics often uses a smaller-scale model to understand something large, analog quantum simulators often take a larger scale model to understand something even smaller.
“Analog quantum simulators are now moving from providing qualitative demonstrations of physical phenomena to providing quantitative solutions for native problems. A particularly interesting way forward in the near term is the development of a series of programmable quantum simulators that hybridize digital and analog techniques . This is very important. potential because it combines the best advantages of both sides by making use of native analog operations to produce highly interleaved states.”
The University of Strathclyde and all partners in this perspective paper have extensive and active programs involving both architecture theory and algorithms, as well as platform development for analog quantum simulation and digital quantum computing. The partners have collaborated as part of the flagship EU quantum technologies project Horizon 2020 PASQuanS. At Strathclyde, research in this area is strongly integrated into the UK’s national quantum technology program and has received substantial funding from Research and Innovation UK.
A quantum technology cluster is embedded in the Glasgow City Innovation District, an initiative driven by Strathclyde together with Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise, Entrepreneurial Scotland and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. It is envisioned as a global site for quantum industrialization, attracting companies to locate, accelerate growth, improve productivity and access world-class technology and research talent in Strathclyde.
The University of Strathclyde is the only academic institution to have partnered with the four EPSRC-funded Quantum Technology Centers in both phases of funding. Hubs are located in: Sensing and Timing; Quantum Enhanced Imaging; Quantum Computing and Simulation and Quantum Communications Technologies.