Quantum Computing: Advancing Fundamental Physics

Nikita A. Zemlevskiy

Quantum computing offers a new, orthogonal direction for investigating fundamental physics, extending beyond classical numerical methods and conventional observables. Realizing this potential requires directly confronting the noise limiting currently available quantum computers. Progress rests on advancing algorithms, interpreting their results, and managing their errors together. This thesis presents several advancements in the use of quantum simulation and quantum information to probe fundamental physics. The first is in the use of quantum computers to simulate collisions in quantum field theories. Central to these simulations are new wavepacket preparation, time evolution, and error mitigation techniques, which allow for simulations with some of the largest effective circuit volumes to date. These methods enable the first quantum simulation providing numerical evidence for inelastic particle production, a key process in fundamental physics. The second advancement centers on the role quantum-information-theoretic quantities play in physical processes. Beyond mere correlations with the physics of the process, entanglement and magic are shown to probe the interactions present in scattering and hadronization dynamics. A precision study requires a complete quantification of algorithmic and hardware uncertainties, an outstanding goal as quantum simulations mature. The third advancement in this thesis addresses error management. A framework minimizing the effect of algorithmic errors in analog quantum simulations is presented. In a step toward fault tolerance, error detection in encoded quantum simulations is shown to improve estimation of local observables relative to unencoded runs. Together, the developments in this thesis mark practical progress toward fault-tolerant quantum simulations of fundamental physics capable of scientific discovery.

Mikio Nakahara

Andreas H. Trabesinger

Russell May

Quantum computing holds the promise of a revolution in computer science. Since a quantum machine operates at an atomic level, its memory could be immense compared to silicon-based technology. Furthermore, because of an effect known as quantum parallelism, some quantum algorithms can run exponentially faster than their classical counterparts. Although the theory of quantum computation is more advanced than the physical implementation, advances in nanotechnology continually make this field more and more commercially viable. Participants in this tutorial will learn the fundamentals of quantum computing, including a surprisingly small number of prerequisites from math and physics, several quantum algorithms, and a simulator to test algorithms.

David McMahon

A self-contained treatment of the fundamentals of quantum computing This clear, practical book takes quantum computing out of the realm of theoretical physics and teaches the fundamentals of the field to students and professionals who have not had training in quantum computing or quantum information theory, including computer scientists, programmers, electrical engineers, mathematicians, physics students, and chemists. The author cuts through the conventions of typical jargon-laden physics books and instead presents the material through his unique how-to approach and friendly, conversational style. Readers will learn how to carry out calculations with explicit details and will gain a fundamental grasp of: * Quantum mechanics * Quantum computation * Teleportation * Quantum cryptography * Entanglement * Quantum algorithms * Error correction A number of worked examples are included so readers can see how quantum computing is done with their own eyes, while answers to similar end-of-chapter problems are provided for readers to check their own work as they learn to master the information. Ideal for professionals and graduate-level students alike, Quantum Computing Explained delivers the fundamentals of quantum computing readers need to be able to understand current research papers and go on to study more advanced quantum texts.

Aida Todri‐Sanial