Simulating the Fermi-Hubbard Model on near term quantum devices
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
In this project I will investigate fermion to spin encodings in the context of the Fermi-Hubbard Hamiltonian, a simplified model of superconducting systems, and attempt to find optimal fermion to spin encodings for this system for different simulation methods on existing or near-term quantum devices. In the case of analogue simulation, this includes determining which encoding most faithfully reproduces the noise found in real fermionic systems. This research could be an important first step in eventually using quantum computers to simulate superconductivity, leading to greater understanding of the phenomenon.
Planned Impact
Quantum technologies promise a transformation of the fields of measurement, communication and information processing. They present a particular opportunity since they are disruptive technologies: not only do they offer a chance for rapid growth but they also allow lesser participants in a field (such as the UK in IT) to become major players through appropriate risk-taking and manpower development. Students graduating from the InQuBATE Skills Hub will have the right mindset to work in the industries where quantum technologies will be applied, and help to break down the traditional barriers between those sectors to make this transformation happen. They will have all the necessary technical and transferable skills, plus a network of contacts with our partners, their fellow cohort members and the academic supervisors.
Our commercial partners are keen to help our students realise their potential and achieve the impact we expect of them, through the training they offer and their contributions to the centre's research. They include companies who have already developed quantum technologies to products in quantum communication (Toshiba) and optimization (D-Wave), large corporates who are investing in quantum technology because they see its potential to transform their businesses in aerospace, defence, instrumentation and internet services (Lockheed Martin, Google,) and government agencies with key national responsibilities (NPL). We want to see the best communication of our students' research, so our students will benefit from the existing training programme set up with a leading scientific publisher (Nature Publishing Group); we also want to see more of the future companies that lead this field based the UK, so we have partnered with venture capital group DFJ Esprit to judge and mentor the acceleration of our students' innovations toward the market.
Our commercial partners are keen to help our students realise their potential and achieve the impact we expect of them, through the training they offer and their contributions to the centre's research. They include companies who have already developed quantum technologies to products in quantum communication (Toshiba) and optimization (D-Wave), large corporates who are investing in quantum technology because they see its potential to transform their businesses in aerospace, defence, instrumentation and internet services (Lockheed Martin, Google,) and government agencies with key national responsibilities (NPL). We want to see the best communication of our students' research, so our students will benefit from the existing training programme set up with a leading scientific publisher (Nature Publishing Group); we also want to see more of the future companies that lead this field based the UK, so we have partnered with venture capital group DFJ Esprit to judge and mentor the acceleration of our students' innovations toward the market.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/P510270/1 | 01/04/2016 | 31/08/2022 | |||
| 1917123 | Studentship | EP/P510270/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 | Charles Derby |
| Description | A new encoding for fermions onto qubits has been found with uniquely low weight interaction operators. This would allow physical systems involving many particles like electrons (e.g. superconductors) to be more efficiently simulated on a quantum computer or similar device. The way that qubit errors map onto the simulated fermion system has been shown to be local to first order. This means that if an error occurs on the quantum computer that is simulating a fermionic system via the new encoding mentioned above, then the effect on the simulated system will be that of a local error that could feasibly occur on that system in real life. How faithfully the errors map to the real life behaviour of such a system is still being investigated but it seems favourable. An explicit connection between the new fermionic encoding and the toric code (a well known quantum error correction protocol) has been found. There exist many fermion to qubit encodings but a general theory linking them together has not been found. Others have noticed that other fermion encodings are seemingly related to the toric code but have not explored this connection in any great detail, establishing a strong connection between this new encoding and the toric code could open the door to finding how other codes are linked to it and perhaps lead to a general theory of fermionic encodings. The first two findings are to be published soon, the third is still to be worked on. |
| Exploitation Route | The new fermion encoding could be used by experimental groups to carry out simulations of fermionic systems. If a general theory of fermionic encodings is found then theorists could perhaps use it to find the most appropriate encoding for a particular system and a particular simulation device. |
| Sectors | Other |