BTD11: Quantum Computing and Simulation

Title: Quantum Computing and Simulation

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Jens Eisert, Freie Universität Berlin

Quantum computers and quantum simulators are computational devices the constituents of which are single atoms, ions, or other physical systems following quantum mechanical laws. The observation that a radically different physical theory compared to classical mechanics is at work might suggest different computational capabilities arising from such an architecture. In fact, such devices could solve some problems that are intractable on conventional supercomputers. Partially stimulated by a new impetus by research effort of US IT companies and the Flagship effort of the European Union, the idea of quantum computing and simulation - anyway only a bit more than two decades old - has gained much momentum recently. While quantum computers are so far still anticipated devices, quantum simulators exist to an extent. This talk will provide a brief introduction to the field of quantum technologies with respect to notions of quantum communication and in particular of quantum computation and simulation. I will argue in what way existing quantum simulators may already be seen as machines that (in a mild sense) outperform supercomputers.

Jens Eisert works at the Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems on the interface of quantum information science and the study of complex quantum systems. He is interested in what novel modes of information processing are possible when single quantum systems - such as atoms, ions or photons - are used as carriers of information. Applications range from quantum simulation of complex quantum systems and notions of computing beyond the capabilities of supercomputers to the secure communication of data. He has worked at Imperial College London as a lecturer, and at the University of Potsdam and the Freie Universität Berlin as a professor. For his work, he has been awarded the prestigious EURYI award and an ERC grant.