Abstract
Quantum simulators are a promising technology on the spectrum of quantum devices from specialized quantum experiments to universal quantum computers. These quantum devices utilize entanglement and many-particle behaviors to explore and solve hard scientific, engineering, and computational problems. Rapid development over the last two decades has produced more than 300 quantum simulators in operation worldwide using a wide variety of experimental platforms. Recent advances in several physical architectures promise a golden age of quantum simulators ranging from highly optimized special purpose simulators to flexible programmable devices. These developments have enabled a convergence of ideas drawn from fundamental physics, computer science, and device engineering. They have strong potential to address problems of societal importance, ranging from understanding vital chemical processes, to enabling the design of new materials with enhanced performance, to solving complex computational problems. It is the position of the community, as represented by participants of the NSF workshop on "Programmable Quantum Simulators," that investment in a national quantum simulator program is a high priority in order to accelerate the progress in this field and to result in the first practical applications of quantum machines. Such a program should address two areas of emphasis: (1) support for creating quantum simulator prototypes usable by the broader scientific community, complementary to the present universal quantum computer effort in industry; and (2) support for fundamental research carried out by a blend of multi-investigator, multi-disciplinary collaborations with resources for quantum simulator software, hardware, and education.
Highlights
Quantum simulators strive to solve scientific problems that are not tractable by other means
On the 2–5 year time scale a wide variety of such material simulations can be performed in a quantum simulation version of the materials genome initiative, as prototypes are made available to the materials science community via pillar (1), and as multiinvestigator blended physics–materials-science teams are formed in pillar (2)
Theoretical work plays a critical role in designing quantum simulators, interpreting the experimental data they produce, and developing an overarching framework to apply lessons learned in quantum simulators to physical systems of interest
Summary
Recent technical advances have brought us closer to realizing practical quantum simulators: engineered quantum many-particle systems that can controllably simulate complex quantum phenomena. Universities, and national labs will collaborate to focus on problems aligned with the long-term interests of end users and society Successful realization of this unique opportunity requires a dedicated national quantum simulator program. (1) Early prototype quantum simulators will support the development, realization, and deployment of complementary quantum simulator prototypes They will leverage—rather than duplicate—the substantial industrial investment in technologies and software for digital quantum computing toward realistic, near-term simulator machines. In science and engineering to uncover new paradigms, advance nascent hardware platforms, and develop new algorithms and applications for a new generation of quantum simulators This effort will further support the development of new materials and devices to help accelerate the progress of new technologies and push them outside the research laboratory. We document the opportunities and challenges in quantum simulators and explain our vision for accelerating the evolution of and capitalizing on this promising quantum technology via this two-pillar approach
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