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RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Quantum computing, which uses the laws of quantum mechanics, has the potential to solve pressing problems in a wide range of fields, from medicine to machine learning, that are too complex for classical computers. Quantum simulators are devices made up of interacting quantum units that can be programmed to simulate complex models of the physical world. Scientists can then gain insights into these models, and by extension the real world, by varying the interactions in controlled ways and measuring the resulting behavior of the quantum simulators.
In a article published in Physical Review BA UC Riverside-led research team has proposed a chain of quantum magnetic objects, called spin centers, that, in the presence of an external magnetic field, can quantumly simulate a variety of magnetic phases of matter as well as the transitions between those phases.
“We are designing new devices that house the centers of rotation and can be used to simulate and learn about interesting physical phenomena that cannot be fully studied with classical computers,” said Shan Wen TsaiProfessor of physics and astronomywho led the research team. “Spin centers in solid-state materials are localized quantum objects with great untapped potential for the design of new quantum simulators.”
According to Troy LoseyAdvances in these devices could help explore more efficient ways to store and transfer information, while also developing the methods needed to create room-temperature quantum computers, Tsai’s graduate student and first author of the paper said.
“We have many ideas for improving spin-center-based quantum simulators over this initially proposed device,” he said. “Using these new ideas and studying more complex arrangements of spin centers could help create quantum simulators that are easy to build and use, while still being able to simulate new and meaningful physics.”
Below, Tsai and Losey answer some questions about the research:
Q: What is a quantum simulator?
Tsai: It is a device that exploits the unusual behaviors of quantum mechanics to simulate interesting physical phenomena that are too difficult for a regular computer to calculate. Unlike quantum computers that work with qubits and universal gate operations, quantum simulators are individually designed to simulate/solve specific problems. By trading the universal programmability of quantum computers for exploiting the richness of different quantum interactions and geometric arrangements, quantum simulators can be easier to implement and provide new applications for quantum devices, which is relevant because quantum computers are not yet universally useful.
A spin center is an atom-sized quantum magnetic object that can be placed in a crystal. It can store quantum information, communicate with other spin centers, and be controlled by lasers.
Q: What are the applications of this work?
Losey: We can build the proposed quantum simulator to simulate exotic magnetic phases of matter and the phase transitions between them. These phase transitions are of great interest because during these transitions, the behaviors of very different systems become identical, implying that there are underlying physical phenomena connecting these different systems.
The techniques used to build this device can also be used for spin-center-based quantum computers, which are a leading candidate for developing room-temperature quantum computers, whereas most quantum computers require extremely cold temperatures to operate. Furthermore, our device assumes that the spin centers are placed in a straight line, but it is possible to place them in arrangements up to 3 dimensions. This could enable the study of spin-based information devices that are more efficient than the methods currently used by computers.
Since quantum simulators are easier to build and use than quantum computers, we can currently use them to solve some problems that classical computers cannot solve, while waiting for quantum computers to become more sophisticated. However, this does not mean that quantum simulators can be built without difficulty, because we are only just beginning to be good enough to manipulate spin centers, grow pure crystals, and work at low temperatures to build the quantum simulator we propose.
The University of California, Riverside is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for innovative exploration of questions critical to Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California’s diverse culture, UCR has more than 26,000 students. The campus opened a medical school in 2013 and reaches into the heart of the Coachella Valley through the UCR Palm Desert Center. The campus has an annual impact of more than $2.7 billion on the U.S. economy. For more information, visit www.ucr.edu.
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