Quantum Error Correction in Materials Simulations

Quantum algorithms for materials science simulations are an important potential application for quantum computers. While there are promising signs that noisy intermediate scale quantum (NISQ) computers could deliver some practical and useful simulation results, to achieve quantum simulation's full potential it is likely that a fully fault tolerant approach is necessary. To enter the regime of fault tolerance, the main challenge that needs to be solved is to find ways to correct the inherent noise in the quantum hardware via quantum error correction (QEC). On the other hand, designing a QEC-compatible algorithm requires the reconsideration of many aspects of the algorithm. Over the course of this thesis, we will aim to incorporate the theory of fault tolerant computation and quantum simulation. The work will involve looking at most promising error-correcting codes and various algorithms as well as developing of our own, in order to estimate the resources needed. Since the research is practically-motivated, it will be important to study realistic noise models that may well vary across different quantum computing platforms. Overall, coupled with the ongoing development of quantum computers with larger qubit numbers and lower noise levels, we will seek to find which many-body systems & simulation algorithms are best amenable for a quantum advantage in the fault tolerant regime.

The first and most important impact of our Centre will be through the cross-disciplinary technical training it provides for its students. Through this training, they will have not only skills to control and exploit quantum physics in new ways, but also the background in device engineering and information science to bring these ideas to implementation and to seek out new applications. Our commercial and governmental partners tell us how important these skills are in the growing number of people they are hiring in the field of quantum technologies. In the longer term we expect our graduates to be prominent in the development of new technologies and their application to communication, information processing, and measurement science in leading university and government laboratories as well as in commercial research and development. In the shorter term we expect them to be carrying out doctoral research of the highest international quality.

Second, impact will also flow from the students' approach to enterprise and technology transfer. From the outset they will be encouraged to think about the value of intellectual property, the opportunity it provides, and the fundraising needed to support research and development. As students with this mindset come to play a prominent part in university and commercial laboratories, their common background will help to break down the traditional barriers between these sectors and deliver the promise of quantum technologies for the benefit of the UK and world economies. Concrete actions to accelerate this impact will include entrepreneurship training and an annual CDT industry day.

Third, through the participation it nucleates in the training programme and in students' research, the Centre will bring together a community of partners from industry and government laboratories. In the short term this will facilitate new collaborations and networks involving the partners and the students; in the long term it will help to ensure that the supply of highly skilled people from the CDT reaches the parts of industry that need them most.

Finally, the CDT will have a strong impact on the quantum technologies training landscape in the UK. The Centre will organise training events and workshops open to all doctoral researchers to attend. We will also collaborate with CDTs in the quantum technologies and related research areas to coordinate our efforts and maximise our joint impact. Working in consort, these CDTs will form a vibrant national training network benefitting the entire UK doctoral research community.