Quantum simulation algorithms for near-term quantum computers

Modelling and simulating quantum-physical systems is anticipated to be one of the most important applications of near-term quantum computers, with potential application areas including the design of improved batteries and solar cells. Quantum computers could solve problems in these domains currently out of reach of our best classical methods. However, current quantum computers are very limited in their capabilities, have small numbers of qubits, and experience significant error rates. Getting the most from these devices therefore requires the design of highly optimised quantum algorithms.
This project will develop such quantum algorithms for near-term quantum hardware. One possibility will be to consider the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) approach, which is a hybrid quantum-classical method for producing the ground state of a quantum system by optimising over quantum circuits using a classical optimiser. However, time-dynamics quantum simulation algorithms are also potential targets. Designing such algorithms will necessitate developing a deep understanding of the underlying theory.
The project will encompass theoretical work to design new algorithms and their underpinning mathematics, numerical simulations on classical computers, as well as running algorithms on quantum computing hardware (depending on its availability). Depending on the initial results of the project, other application areas of near-term quantum computers could be addressed, such as optimisation algorithms.