The New Quantum Era

Latest Episodes:

Integrating Quantum Computers and Classical Supercomputers with Martin Schultz Sep 30, 2024

In this episode of The New Quantum Era, Sebastian talks with Martin Schultz, Professor at TU Munich and board member of the Leibniz Supercomputing Center (LRZ) about the critical need to integrate quantum computers with classical supercomputing resources to build practical quantum solutions. They discuss the Munich Quantum Valley initiative, focusing on the challenges and advancements in merging quantum and classical computing.

Main Topics Discussed:

The Genesis of Munich Quantum Valley: The Munich Quantum Valley is a collaborative project funded by the Bavarian government to advance quantum research and development. The project quickly realized the need for software infrastructure to bridge the gap between quantum hardware and real-world applications.
Building a Hybrid Quantum-Classical Computing Infrastructure: LRZ is developing a software stack and web portal to streamline the interaction between their HPC system and various quantum computers, including superconducting and ion trap systems. This approach enables researchers to leverage the strengths of both classical and quantum computing resources seamlessly.
Hierarchical Scheduling for Efficient Resource Allocation: LRZ is designing a multi-tiered scheduling system to optimize resource allocation in the hybrid environment. This system considers factors like job requirements, resource availability, and the specific characteristics of different quantum computing technologies to ensure efficient execution of quantum workloads.
Open-Source Collaboration and Standardization: LRZ aims to make its software stack open-source, recognizing the importance of collaboration and standardization in the quantum computing community. They are actively working with vendors to define standard interfaces for integrating quantum computers with HPC systems.
Addressing the Unknown in Quantum Computing: The field of quantum computing is evolving rapidly, and LRZ acknowledges the need for adaptable solutions. Their architectural design prioritizes flexibility, allowing for future pivots and the incorporation of new quantum computing models and intermediate representations as they emerge.

Munich Quantum Valley
IEEE Quantum

Innovative Near-Term Quantum Algorithms with Toby Cubitt Sep 11, 2024

Welcome to The New Quantum Era, a podcast hosted by Sebastian Hassinger and Kevin Rowney. In this episode, we have an insightful conversation with Dr. Toby Cubitt, a pioneer in quantum computing, a professor at UCL, and a co-founder of Phasecraft. Dr. Cubitt shares his deep understanding of the current state of quantum computing, the challenges it faces, and the promising future it holds. He also discusses the unique approach Phasecraft is taking to bridge the gap between theoretical algorithms and practical, commercially viable applications on near-term quantum hardware.

Key Highlights:

The Dual Focus of Phasecraft: Dr. Cubitt explains how Phasecraft is dedicated to algorithms and applications, avoiding traditional consultancy to drive technology forward through deep partnerships and collaborative development.
Realistic Perspective on Quantum Computing: Despite the hype cycles, Dr. Cubitt maintains a consistent, cautiously optimistic outlook on the progress toward quantum advantage, emphasizing the complexity and long-term nature of the field.
Commercial Viability and Algorithm Development: The discussion covers Phasecraft’s strategic focus on material science and chemistry simulations as early applications of quantum computing, leveraging the unique strengths of quantum algorithms to tackle real-world problems.
Innovative Algorithmic Approaches: Dr. Cubitt details Phasecraft’s advancements in quantum algorithms, including new methods for time dynamics simulation and hybrid quantum-classical algorithms like Quantum enhanced DFT, which combine classical and quantum computing strengths.
Future Milestones: The conversation touches on the anticipated breakthroughs in the next few years, aiming for quantum advantage and the significant implications for both scientific research and commercial applications.

Papers Mentioned in this episode:

Other sites:

Quantum Machine Learning with Jessica Pointing Aug 26, 2024

In this episode of The New Quantum Era podcast, hosts Sebastian Hassinger and Kevin Roney interview Jessica Pointing, a PhD student at Oxford studying quantum machine learning.

Classical Machine Learning Context

Deep learning has made significant progress, as evidenced by the rapid adoption of ChatGPT
Neural networks have a bias towards simple functions, which enables them to generalize well on unseen data despite being highly expressive
This “simplicity bias” may explain the success of deep learning, defying the traditional bias-variance tradeoff

Quantum Neural Networks (QNNs)

QNNs are inspired by classical neural networks but have some key differences
The encoding method used to input classical data into a QNN significantly impacts its inductive bias
Basic encoding methods like basis encoding result in a QNN with no useful bias, essentially making it a random learner
Amplitude encoding can introduce a simplicity bias in QNNs, but at the cost of reduced expressivity
- Amplitude encoding cannot express certain basic functions like XOR/parity
There appears to be a tradeoff between having a good inductive bias and having high expressivity in current QNN frameworks

Implications and Future Directions

Current QNN frameworks are unlikely to serve as general purpose learning algorithms that outperform classical neural networks
Future research could explore:
- Discovering new encoding methods that achieve both good inductive bias and high expressivity
- Identifying specific high-value use cases and tailoring QNNs to those problems
- Developing entirely new QNN architectures and strategies
Evaluating quantum advantage claims requires scrutiny, as current empirical results often rely on comparisons to weak classical baselines or very small-scale experiments

In summary, this insightful interview with Jessica Pointing highlights the current challenges and open questions in quantum machine learning, providing a framework for critically evaluating progress in the field. While the path to quantum advantage in machine learning remains uncertain, ongoing research continues to expand our understanding of the possibilities and limitations of QNNs.

Paper cited in the episode:
Do Quantum Neural Networks have Simplicity Bias?

Quantum reservoir computing with Susanne Yelin Aug 15, 2024

Sebastian is joined by Susanne Yelin, Professor of Physics in Residence at Harvard University and the University of Connecticut.
Susanne's Background:

Fellow at the American Physical Society and Optica (formerly the American Optics Society)
Background in theoretical AMO (Atomic, Molecular, and Optical) physics and quantum optics
Transition to quantum machine learning and quantum computing applications

Quantum Machine Learning Challenges

Limited to simulating small systems (6-10 qubits) due to lack of working quantum computers
Barren plateau problem: the more quantum and entangled the system, the worse the problem
Moved towards analog systems and away from universal quantum computers

Quantum Reservoir Computing

Subclass of recurrent neural networks where connections between nodes are fixed
Learning occurs through a filter function on the outputs
Suitable for analog quantum systems like ensembles of atoms with interactions
Advantages: redundancy in learning, quantum effects (interference, non-commuting bases, true randomness)
Potential for fault tolerance and automatic error correction

Quantum Chemistry Application

Goal: leverage classical chemistry knowledge and identify problems hard for classical computers
Collaboration with quantum chemists Anna Krylov (USC) and Martin Head-Gordon (UC Berkeley)
Focused on effective input-output between classical and quantum computers
Simulating a biochemical catalyst molecule with high spin correlation using a combination of analog time evolution and logical gates
Demonstrating higher fidelity simulation at low energy scales compared to classical methods

Future Directions

Exploring fault-tolerant and robust approaches as an alternative to full error correction
Optimizing pulses tailored for specific quantum chemistry calculations
Investigating dynamics of chemical reactions
Calculating potential energy surfaces for molecules
Implementing multi-qubit analog ideas on the Rydberg atom array machine at Harvard
Dr. Yelin's work combines the strengths of analog quantum systems and avoids some limitations of purely digital approaches, aiming to advance quantum chemistry simulations beyond current classical capabilities.

Bosonic quantum error correction with Julien Camirand Lemyre Aug 05, 2024

Welcome back to The New Quantum Era, the podcast where we explore the cutting-edge developments in quantum computing. In today’s episode, hosts Sebastian Hassinger and Kevin Rowe are joined by Dr. Julien Camirand Lemyre, the CEO and co-founder of Nord Quantique. Nord Quantique is a startup spun out from the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada, and is making significant strides in the field of quantum error correction using innovative superconducting qubit designs. In this conversation, Dr. Camirand Lemyre shares insights into their groundbreaking research and the innovative approaches they are taking to improve quantum computing systems.

Listeners can expect to learn about:

Dr. Camirand Lemyre’s journey into quantum computing and the founding of Nord Quantique.
The unique approach Nord Quantique is taking with Bosonic code qubits and how they differ from traditional fermionic qubits.
The recent research paper by Nord Quantique that demonstrates autonomous quantum error correction, a significant step forward in the field.
The potential impact of these advancements on reducing the overhead of error correction in quantum systems.
Future directions and next steps for Nord Quantique, including further optimization and development of their quantum technology.

Highlights:

Julien Camirand Lemyre’s Background: Dr. Camirand Lemyre shares his academic journey and how it led to the founding of Nord Quantique.
Bosonic Qubits: An exploration of how Nord Quantique is leveraging Bosonic qubits for better quantum error correction.
Autonomous Quantum Error Correction: Discussion on the recent research paper and its implications for the field of quantum computing.
Technological Innovations: Insights into the specific technological advancements and controls Nord Quantique is developing.
Future Plans: Dr. Camirand Lemyre shares what’s next for Nord Quantique and their ongoing research efforts.

Mentioned in this episode:

Nord Quantique: Website
University of Sherbrooke: Website
Institut Quantique: Website
Q-Ctrl: Website

Tune in to hear about these exciting developments and what they mean for the future of quantum computing!

Quantum Benchmarking with Jens Eisert Jul 18, 2024

Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era! Today, we have a fascinating conversation with Professor Jens Eisert, a veteran in the field of quantum information science. Jens takes us through his journey from his PhD days, delving into the role of entanglement in quantum computing and communication, to leading a team that bridges theoretical and practical aspects of quantum technology. In this episode, we explore the fine line between classical and quantum worlds, the potential and limitations of near-term quantum devices, and the role of theoretical frameworks in advancing quantum technologies. Here are some key highlights from our conversation:

Theoretical Limits and Practical Applications: Jens discusses his team's work on establishing theoretical limits and guidelines for what can be achieved with current quantum hardware, focusing on both long-term and near-term goals.
Benchmarking and Certification: The importance of randomized benchmarking techniques is highlighted, including their role in diagnosing and improving quantum devices. Jens elaborates on how these techniques can provide detailed diagnostic information and their limitations in scalability.
Error Mitigation and Non-Unit Noise: Insights into the impact of non-unit noise on quantum circuits and the limitations of error mitigation techniques, particularly concerning their scalability.
Quantum Simulation and Near-Term Devices: Jens shares his cautious optimism about the potential for near-term quantum devices to achieve practical applications, particularly in the field of quantum simulation.
Innovative and Foundational Research: The conversation touches on Jens' interest in both pioneering new fields and concluding existing ones. He shares intriguing research on the emergence of temperature in quantum systems and its potential implications for quantum algorithms.

Careers in Quantum with Anastasia Marchenkova Jun 26, 2024

Welcome to The New Quantum Era podcast! In today’s episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of quantum computing and the broader tech landscape with Anastasia Marchenkova, who has a unique blend of experiences in startups, academia, and venture capital. Join us as we explore the intersections of technology, business, and education, and uncover the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the quantum era.

Highlights from the Interview:

Journey into Quantum Computing: Learn how our Anastasia's early experiences in quantum telecommunications and a serendipitous encounter with a startup led to a pivotal role at Rigetti Computing.
Building and Scaling Startups: Insights into the startup ecosystem, including the importance of customer discovery, the challenges of scaling deep tech companies, and the role of non-dilutive funding from sources like DARPA.
Interdisciplinary Innovations: Discover how principles from quantum computing are being applied to other cutting-edge fields like thermodynamic computing and AI, and the potential for cross-disciplinary breakthroughs.
The Importance of Communication and Networking: Discussion on the critical role of communication skills in science and technology, and how building connections can drive innovation and collaboration.
Future Vision and Education: Our guest’s ambitious plans for bridging the gap between deep tech and the broader public through educational initiatives and media, aiming to inspire the next generation of technologists and entrepreneurs.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Rigetti Computing: A pioneering quantum computing startup.
DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency): A key source of non-dilutive funding for deep tech projects.
Quantum Benchmark: A company specializing in error characterization and mitigation for quantum computing, acquired by Keysight Technologies.
Thermodynamic Computing: An emerging field aimed at reducing energy consumption in AI, with notable contributions from researchers like Patrick Coles, who founded Normal Computing, and Guillaume Verdun, who recently founded Extropic.
VC Lab: An incubator program for training emerging venture capitalists.

The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology with Paul Cadden-Zimansky Jun 11, 2024

In this episode of The New Quantum Era, Kevin and Sebastian are joined by a special guest, Paul Cadden-Zemansky, Associate Professor of Physics at Bard College and Director of the Physics Program. Paul is also on the Executive Committee for the International Year of Quantum at the American Physical Society and has been actively involved in the UN’s recent declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. With the UN resolution now official, Paul joins us to discuss the significance and plans for this global celebration of quantum mechanics.

Listeners can expect an insightful conversation covering the following key points:

The Significance of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology: Paul explains the origins and importance of the UN’s declaration, marking the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics and its impact over the past century.
Global Collaboration and Outreach: Discussion on the international cooperation involved in getting the resolution passed, including the involvement of various scientific societies and countries, and the emphasis on public awareness and education.
Challenges and Strategies for Quantum Communication: Paul shares his thoughts on the difficulties of communicating complex quantum concepts to the public and the strategies to make quantum mechanics more accessible and engaging.
Future Plans and Initiatives: Insights into the plans for 2025, including potential events, educational resources, and how individuals and organizations can get involved in promoting quantum science.
Innovations in Quantum Visualization: Paul’s work with students on new methods for visualizing complex quantum systems, including the development of tools to help understand two-qubit states.

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us as we delve into the exciting world of quantum mechanics and explore the plans for celebrating its centennial year!

Quantum Advantage Theory and Practice with Di Fang May 14, 2024

In this episode of The New Quantum Era, host Sebastian Hassinger comes to you again from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, during their launch event in April 2024 for the deployment of an IBM System One quantum computer on their campus. RPI invited me to lead a panel discussion with members of their faculty and IT team, and provided a podcast studio for my use for the remainder of the week, where he recorded a series of interviews. In this episode Sebastian interviews Di Fang, an assistant professor of mathematics at Duke University and member of the Duke Quantum Center. They discuss Dr. Fang's research on the theoretical aspects of quantum computing and quantum simulation, the potential for quantum computers to demonstrate quantum advantage over classical computers, and the need to balance theory with practical applications. Key topics and takeaways from the conversation include:

- Dr. Fang's background as a mathematician and how taking a quantum computing class taught by Umesh Vazirani at UC Berkeley sparked her interest in the field of quantum information science
- The potential for quantum computers to directly simulate quantum systems like molecules, going beyond the approximations required by classical computation
- The importance of both proving theoretical bounds on quantum algorithms and working towards practical resource estimation and hardware implementation to demonstrate real quantum advantage
- The stages of development needed to go from purely theoretical quantum advantage to solving useful real-world problems, and the role of Google's quantum XPRIZE competition in motivating practical applications
- The long-term potential for quantum computing to have a disruptive impact like AI, but the risk of a "quantum winter" if practical results don't materialize, and the need for continued fundamental research by academics alongside industry efforts

The Utility of Quantum Computing for Chemistry with Jamie Garcia May 09, 2024

In this episode of The New Quantum Era, we're diving deep into the intersection of quantum computing and chemistry with Jamie Garcia, Technical Program Director for Algorithms and Scientific Partnerships Group with IBM Quantum. Jamie brings a unique perspective, having transitioned from a background in chemistry to the forefront of quantum computing. At the heart of our discussion is the deployment of the IBM Quantum computer at RPI, marking a significant milestone as the first of its kind on a university campus. Jamie shares insights into the challenges and breakthroughs in using quantum computing to push the boundaries of computational chemistry, highlighting the potential to revolutionize how we approach complex chemical reactions and materials science.

Throughout the interview, Jamie discusses the evolution of quantum computing from a theoretical novelty to a practical tool in scientific research, particularly in chemistry. We explore the limitations of classical computational methods in chemistry, such as the reliance on approximations, and how quantum computing offers the promise of more accurate and efficient simulations. Jamie also delves into the concept of "utility" in quantum computing, illustrating how IBM's quantum computers are beginning to perform tasks that challenge classical computing capabilities. The conversation further touches on the significance of quantum computing in education and research, the integration of quantum systems with high-performance computing (HPC) centers, and the future of quantum computing in addressing complex problems in chemistry and beyond.

Jamie's homepage at IBM Research
How Quantum Computing Could Remake Chemistry, an article by Jamie Garcia in Scientific American

Aspiring Quantum Chemist with Professor Lin Lin Apr 29, 2024

Sebastian interviews Professor Lin Lin during the System One ribbon cutting event at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Professor Lin Lin's journey from computational mathematics to quantum chemistry has been driven by his fascination with modeling nature through computation. As a student at Peking University, he was intrigued by the concept of first principles modeling, which aims to simulate chemical systems using minimal information such as atomic species and positions. Lin Lin pursued this interest during his PhD at Princeton University, working with mathematicians and chemists to develop better algorithms for density functional theory (DFT). DFT reformulates the high-dimensional quantum chemistry problem into a more tractable three-dimensional one, albeit with approximations. While DFT works well for about 95% of cases, it struggles with large systems and the remaining "strongly correlated" 5%. Lin Lin and his collaborators radically reformulated DFT to enable calculations on much larger systems, leading to his faculty position at UC Berkeley in 2014.

In 2018, a watershed year marked by his tenure, Lin Lin decided to tackle the challenging 5% of strongly correlated quantum chemistry problems. Two emerging approaches showed promise: artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. Both AI and quantum computing are well-suited for handling high-dimensional problems, albeit in fundamentally different ways. Lin Lin aimed to leverage both approaches, collaborating on the development of deep molecular dynamics using AI to efficiently parameterize interatomic potentials. On the quantum computing side, his group worked to reformulate quantum chemistry for quantum computers. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lin Lin and his collaborators have made significant strides in combining AI and quantum computing to push the boundaries of computational chemistry simulations, bridging the fields of mathematics, chemistry, AI, and quantum computing in an exciting new frontier.

Thanks again to Professor Lin and everyone at RPI for hosting me and providing such an amazing opportunity to interview so many brilliant researchers.

Quantum Education and Community Building with Olivia Lanes Apr 22, 2024

Sebastian is joined by Olivia Lanes, Global Lead for Education and Learning, IBM Quantum to discuss quantum education, IBM's efforts to provide resources for workforce development, the importance of diversity and equality in STEM, and her own personal journey from experimental physics to community building and content creation. Recorded on the RPI campus during the launch event of their IBM System One quantum computer.

Key Topics:
- Olivia's background in experimental quantum physics and transition to education at IBM Quantum
- Lowering barriers to entry in quantum computing education through IBM's Quantum Experience platform, Qiskit open source framework, and online learning resources
- The importance of reaching students early, especially women and people of color, to build a diverse quantum workforce pipeline
- Quantum computing as an interdisciplinary field requiring expertise across physics, computer science, engineering, and other domains
- The need to identify real-world problems and use cases that quantum computing can uniquely address
- Balancing the hype around quantum computing's potential with setting realistic expectations
- International collaboration and providing global access to quantum education and technologies
- The unique opportunity of having an IBM quantum computer on the RPI campus to inspire students and enable cutting-edge research

Resources Mentioned:
- IBM Quantum learning platform
- "Introduction to Classical and Quantum Computing" by Tom Wong
- Qiskit YouTube channel

In summary, this episode explores the current state of quantum computing education, the importance of making it accessible to a broad and diverse group of students from an early age, and how academia and industry can partner to build the quantum workforce of the future. Olivia provides an insider's perspective on IBM Quantum's efforts in this space.

LIVE! On campus quantum computing with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Apr 17, 2024

For this episode, Sebastian is on his own, as Kevin is taking a break. Sebastian accepted a gracious invite to the ribbon cutting event at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, where the university was launching their on-campus IBM System One -- the first commercial quantum computer on a university campus!
This week, the episode is a recording a live event hosted by Sebastian. The panel of RPI faculty and staff talk about their decision to deploy a quantum computer in their own computing center -- a former chapel from the 1930s! - what they hope the RPI community will do with the device, and the role of academic partnership with private industry at this stage of the development of the technology.
Joining Sebastian on the panel were:

James Hendler, Professor and Director of Future of Computing Institute
Jackie Stampalia, Director, Client Information Services, DotCIO
Osama Raisuddin, Research Scientist, RPI
Lucy Zhang, Professor, Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering

Quantum computing for high energy physics simulations with Martin Savage Apr 08, 2024

Dr. Martin Savage is a professor of nuclear theory and quantum informatics at the University of Washington. His research explores using quantum computing to investigate high energy physics and quantum chromodynamics.
Dr. Savage transitioned from experimental nuclear physics to theoretical particle physics in his early career. Around 2017-2018, limitations in classical computing for certain nuclear physics problems led him to explore quantum computing.
In December 2022, Dr. Savage's team used 112 qubits on IBM's Heron quantum processor to simulate hadron dynamics in the Schwinger Model. This groundbreaking calculation required 14,000 CNOT gates at a depth of 370.
Error mitigation techniques, translational invariance in the system, and running the simulation over the December holidays when the quantum hardware was available enabled this large-scale calculation.
While replacing particle accelerator experiments is not the goal, quantum computers could eventually complement experiments by simulating environments not possible in a lab, like the interior of a neutron star.
Quantum information science is increasingly important in the pedagogy of particle physics. Advances in quantum computing hardware and error mitigation are steadily enabling more complex simulations.
The incubator for quantum simulation at University of Washington brings together researchers across disciplines to collaborate on using quantum computers to advance nuclear and particle physics.

Links:
Dr. Savage's home page
The InQubator for Quantum Simulation
Quantum Simulations of Hadron Dynamics in the Schwinger Model using 112 Qubits
IBM's blog post which contains some details regarding the Heron process and the 100x100 challenge.

Modular Quantum System Architectures with Yufei Ding Mar 26, 2024

In this episode, Sebastian and Kevin interview Professor Yufei Ding, an associate professor at UC San Diego, who specializes in the intersection of theoretical physics and computer science. They discuss Dr. Ding's research on system architecture in quantum computing and the potential impact of AI on the field. Dr. Ding's work aims to replicate the critical stages of classical computing development in the context of quantum computing. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities in combining computer science, theoretical and experimental quantum computing, and the potential applications of quantum computing in machine learning.

Takeaways

Yufei Ding's research focuses on system architecture in quantum computing, aiming to replicate the critical stages of classical computing development in the context of quantum computing.
The combination of computer science, theoretical and experimental quantum computing is a unique approach that offers new insights and possibilities.
AI and machine learning have the potential to greatly impact quantum computing, and finding a generically applicable quantum advantage in machine learning could have a transformative effect.
The development of a simulation framework for exploring different system architectures in quantum computing is crucial for advancing the field and identifying viable outcomes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
02:12 Yufei Ding's System Architecture
03:08 AI and Quantum Computing
04:19 Conclusion

Material Science with Houlong Zhuang at Q2B Paris Mar 12, 2024

In this special solo episode recorded at Q2B Paris 2024, Sebastian talks with Houlong Zhuang, assistant professor at Arizona State University, about his work in material science.

Dr. Zhuang discusses his research on using quantum computing and machine learning to simulate high entropy alloy materials. The goal is to efficiently predict material properties and discover new material compositions.
Density functional theory (DFT) is a commonly used classical computational method for materials simulations. However, it struggles with strongly correlated electronic states. Quantum computers have the potential to efficiently simulate these challenging quantum interactions.
The research uses classical machine learning models trained on experimental data to narrow down the vast combinatorial space of possible high entropy alloy compositions to a smaller set of promising candidates. This is an important screening step.
Quantum machine learning and quantum simulation are then proposed to further refine the predictions and simulate the quantum interactions in the materials more accurately than classical DFT. This may enable prediction of properties like stability and elastic constants.
Key challenges include the high dimensionality of the material composition space and the noise/errors in current quantum hardware. Hybrid quantum-classical algorithms leveraging the strengths of both are a promising near-term approach.
Ultimately, the vision is to enable inverse design - using the models to discover tailored material compositions with desired properties, potentially reducing experimental trial-and-error. This requires highly accurate, explainable models.
In the near-term, quantum advantage may be realized for specific local properties or excited states leveraging locality of interactions. Fully fault-tolerant quantum computers are likely needed for complete replacement of classical DFT.
Continued development of techniques like compact mappings, efficient quantum circuit compilations, active learning, and quantum embeddings of local strongly correlated regions will be key to advancing practical quantum simulation of realistic materials.

In summary, strategically combining machine learning, quantum computing, and domain knowledge of materials is a promising path to accelerating materials discovery, but significant research challenges remain to be overcome through improved algorithms and hardware. A hybrid paradigm will likely be optimal in the coming years.

Some of Dr. Zhuang's papers include:

Quantum machine-learning phase prediction of high-entropy alloys
Sudoku-inspired high-Shannon-entropy alloys
Machine-learning phase prediction of high-entropy alloys

A look back at quantum computing in 2023 with Kevin and Sebastian Feb 26, 2024

No guest this episode! Instead, Kevin and Sebastian have a conversation looking back on the events of 2023 in quantum computing, wiht a particular focus on three trends: some waning of enthusiasm in the private sector, a surge of investments from the public sector as national and regional governments invest in the quantum computing value chain and the shift from a focus on NISQ to logical qubits.

Qureca's overview of public sector quantum initiatives in 2023
Preskill's NISQ paper from 2018 (yes, I was off by a few years!)
The paper that introduced the idea of VQE: A variational eigenvalue solver on a quantum processor by Peruzzo et al
A variation on VQE that still has some promise An adaptive variational algorithm for exact molecular simulations on a quantum computer by Grimsley et al
Mitiq, a quantum error mitigation framework from Unitary Fund
Peter Shor's first of its kind quantum error correction in the paper Scheme for reducing decoherence in quantum computer memory
Quantinuum demonstrates color codes to implement a logical qubit on their ion trap machine, H-1
Toric codes introduced in Fault-tolerant quantum computation by anyons by Alexei Kitaev
Surface codes and topological qubits introduced in Topological quantum memory by Eric Dennis, Alexei Kitaev, Andrew Landahl, and John Preskill
The threshold theorem is laid out in Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computation With Constant Error Rate by Dorit Aharonov and Michael Ben-Or
The GKP variation on the surface code appears in Encoding a qubit in an oscillator by Daniel Gottesman, Alexei Kitaev, John Preskill
A new LDPC based chip architecture is described in High-threshold and low-overhead fault-tolerant quantum memory by Sergey Bravyi, Andrew W. Cross, Jay M. Gambetta, Dmitri Maslov, Patrick Rall, Theodore J. Yoder
Neutral atoms are used to create 48 logical qubits in Logical quantum processor based on reconfigurable atom arrays by Vuletic's and Lukin's groups at MIT and Harvard respectively

If you have an idea for a guest or topic, please email us.
Also, John Preskill has agreed to return to answer questions from our audience so please send any question you'd like Professor Preskill to answer our way at info@the-new-quantum-era.com

Dawning of the Era of Logical Qubits with Dr Vladan Vuletic Feb 12, 2024

Kevin and Sebastian are joined by Dr. Vladan Vuletic, the Lester Wolfe Professor of Physics at the Center for Ultracold Atoms and Research in the Department of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At the end of 2023, the quantum computing community was startled and amazed by the results from a bombshell paper published in Nature on December 6th, titled Logical quantum processor based on reconfigurable atom arrays in which Dr. Vuletic's group collaborated with Dr Mikhail Lukin's group at Harvard to create 48 logical qubits from an array of 280 atoms. Scott Aaronson does a good job of breaking down the results on his blog, but the upshot is that this is the largest number of logical qubits created, and a very large leap ahead for the field.

00:00 Introduction and Background
01:07 Path to Quantum Computing
03:30 Rydberg Atoms and Quantum Gates
08:56 Transversal Gates and Logical Qubits
15:12 Implementation and Commercial Potential
23:59 Future Outlook and Quantum Simulations
30:51 Scaling and Applications
32:22 Improving Quantum Gate Fidelity
33:19 Advancing Field of View Systems
33:48 Closing the Feedback Loop on Error Correction
35:29 Quantum Error Correction as a Remarkable Breakthrough
36:13 Cross-Fertilization of Quantum Error Correction Ideas

Trapped Ions and Quantum VCs with Chiara Decaroli Dec 15, 2023

Summary

In this episode, Sebastian and Kevin are joined by Chiara Decaroli, a quantum physicist and venture capitalist. Chiara shares her unique journey into the field of quantum, starting from a small village in Italy to earning her PhD in quantum physics. She explains the history of ion trapping and how it led to the development of quantum computing. Chiara also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of trapped ion systems and the challenges of investing in early-stage quantum startups. In this conversation, Chiara Decaroli discusses the challenges of assessing quantum technologies and the deep expertise required in the field. She also shares her experience in gaining familiarity with different quantum modalities and the importance of multidisciplinarity in the quantum field. Chiara highlights the skills needed in the quantum industry, emphasizing the need for deep knowledge in physics and specialized segments. She also discusses the importance of cross-disciplinary education and the potential impact of quantum technologies.

Takeaways

Chiara's path to quantum started from a small village in Italy and led her to earn a PhD in quantum physics at ETH Zurich.
Ion trapping is a key technology in quantum computing, and it has a rich history dating back to the 1930s.
Trapped ions can be manipulated using laser beams to perform single and two-qubit gates.
Trapped ion systems have the advantage of perfect qubits but face challenges in scalability and speed of operations.
Investing in quantum startups requires a deep understanding of the field and the ability to navigate the early-stage landscape. Assessing quantum technologies requires deep expertise and a scientific background.
Gaining familiarity with different quantum modalities requires extensive reading and talking to experts in the field.
The quantum field is highly multidisciplinary, requiring expertise in physics, engineering, software development, and specialized domains.
Cross-disciplinary education is important in the quantum field to foster innovation and solve complex problems.
The potential impact of quantum technologies is immense, but it is challenging to predict the exact applications and advancements.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
01:01 Chiara's Path to Quantum
08:13 History of Ion Trapping
19:47 Implementing Gates with Trapped Ions
27:24 Strengths and Weaknesses of Trapped Ion Systems
35:49 Venture Capital in Quantum
37:55 The Challenges of Assessing Quantum Technologies
39:12 Gaining Familiarity with Different Quantum Modalities
40:27 The Multidisciplinary Nature of Quantum Technologies
41:22 Skills Needed in the Quantum Field
42:58 The Importance of Cross-Disciplinary Education
44:27 The Potential Impact of Quantum Technologies

Adiabatic and Counterdiabatic Quantum Computing with Dr. Ieva Čepaitė Nov 20, 2023

In this episode of The New Quantum Era, Kevin Rowney and Sebastian Hassinger are joined by Dr. Ieva Čepaitė to delve into the nuanced world of quantum physics and computation. Dr. Čepaitė discusses her journey into quantum computing and her work on counterdiabatic methods used to optimize the control of many body quantum states. She provides an overview of the landscape of new algorithms available within the field. She points out the importance of understanding the hardware to implement a quantum algorithm effectively. The focus then shifts to a discussion on adiabatic and counterdiabatic systems, providing a detailed understanding of both methods. The conversation concludes with a speculative take on future breakthroughs that could emerge with respect to quantum algorithms.

00:31 Introduction and Overview of the Interview
02:43 Dr. Čepaitė's Journey into Quantum Computing
05:23 Dr. Čepaitė's Diverse Experience in Quantum Computing
09:37 The Challenges and Opportunities in Quantum Computing
11:50 Understanding Adiabatic and Counterdiabatic Systems
15:15 The Potential of Counterdiabatic Techniques in Quantum Computing
25:49 The Future of Quantum Algorithms
32:55 The Role of Quantum Machine Learning
35:48 Closing Remarks and Reflections

Quantum Intermediate Representation with Cassandra Granade Nov 06, 2023

In this interview, independent quantum information science researcher and consultant, Dr. Cassandra Grenade, shares their journey from triple majoring in physics, math, and computer science to their current consulting work with their firm, Dual Space Solutions. She discusses the concept behind the Quantum Intermediate Representation project (QIR), a tool which represents quantum programs and allows language designers to work independently of specific quantum processor details. Cassandra explains how QIR can solve the 'N to M' problem, where multiple language designs must interface with multiple quantum hardware architectures, thereby preventing the need for creating numerous unique compilers. Further, she dives into the evolution and future of quantum computing, highlighting the need for an industry-wide shift in understanding a quantum computer as more than just a circuit-based entity.

00:02 Introduction and Guest Background
00:22 Cassandra's Journey into Quantum Computing
01:40 The Birth of Dual Space Solutions
05:35 The Importance of Interdisciplinary Approach in Quantum Computing
08:14 The Challenges and Solutions in Quantum Computing
10:42 The Role of Quantum Intermediate Representation (QIR)
15:56 The Impact of QIR on Quantum Computing
19:01 The Future of Quantum Computing with QIR

Quantum Error Mitigation using Mitiq with Misty Wahl Oct 16, 2023

Misty Wahl of the Unitary Fund joins us for this episode to talk about quantum error mitigation strategies like zero noise extrapolation (ZNE) and probabilistic error reduction using the Mitiq open source framework. Misty is a lead contributor the the Mitiq project as well as an author on a number of recent papers on the topic. We'll discuss the current state of the art, potential future strategies that leverage machine learning and quantum error correction, and how the Mitiq framework makes it easier to code up and compare mitigation strategies on a wide variety of qubits and SDKs.

You can find a sampling of Misty's reasearch papers and talk on her personal website, mistywahl.com

Error mitigation in quantum computing with Misty Wall. 0:02
- Misty Wahl, technical staff at Unitary Fund, discusses Mitiq project for error mitigation in quantum computers.
- Misty discusses the growth of quantum computing as a field, with a focus on the Unitary Fund and its role in developing error mitigation techniques.
Non-traditional background in quantum computing. 3:31
- Misty Wahl shares her non-traditional background in mechanical engineering and project management, transitioning to quantum software development and research through self-study and online courses.
- Misty joined Mitiq as a full-time technical staff member in March 2022, contributing to quantum error mitigation and software development through their experience with unitary hack.
- Unitary Hack is a unique event hosted by Unitary Fund, where participants can tag issues in their GitHub repos and community can choose to solve them, providing valuable experience and connections in the quantum computing field.
Quantum error mitigation techniques and software frameworks. 8:31
- Misty Wahl describes her experience with the Mitiq framework
- Misty explains how zero noise extrapolation works
- Misty Wahl: By intentionally adding noise to quantum computations, researchers can extrapolate to the zero noise limit and estimate the optimal value of an expectation value.
Quantum error mitigation techniques. 21:57
- Misty believes that error mitigation will be crucial in the transition to fault-tolerant quantum computers, and will be used to enhance results at every step.
- Misty presents a technique combining quantum error mitigation and quantum error correction to scale the distance of the surface code and improve error rate.
Quantum computing, open source, and research funding. 28:56
- Unitary Fund is building an open-source quantum community through community calls on Discord, with the goal of fostering collaboration and advancing quantum computing.
- Unitary Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds research and development projects in AI, blockchain, and more through government grants and corporate sponsorships.

Neutral atom arrays with Alex Keesling of QuEra Computing Oct 02, 2023

In this episode, Kevin and Sebastian are joined by Alex Keesling, CEO of QuEra Computing, for a discussion about his work with neutral atom arrays for simulation and computation. Alex describes his very early introduction to quantum information science as a high school student in Mexico, which kicked off a defining fascination with the field. At MIT as an undergraduate he started working with photonic systems, and as a PdD student with Misha Lukin at Harvard he played an instrumental role in the "atom array" project that eventually was spun out as QuEra. Today, QuEra's Aquila device has 256 atoms in its array that can be used as for analog Hamiltonian simulations, and is accessible on the cloud via AWS' Braket service. Alex explains in detail how these devices work, what physics breakthroughs they rely on for their operation, and where they may be going in the future with work underway on digital gates for universal computation. Additionally Alex takes us through some of the incredible scientific results these devices have already made possible, and discusses what the future of both scientific and commercial applications might hold.

The QuEra team published a deep dive into their Aquila device and its capabilities in a paper called Aquila: QuEra's 256-qubit neutral-atom quantum computer.

The Enchilada: Microfabricated Ion Trap Qubits with Daniel Stick Sep 18, 2023

In this episode of The New Quantum Era, hosts Sebastian Hassinger and Kevin Rowney interview Daniel Stick, a researcher at Sandia National Lab. They discuss the fascinating world of ion traps, a novel approach to quantum computing architecture. Stick explains the concept of suspending atoms inside a radio frequency Paul trap and utilizing laser pulses to manipulate their qubit states. The conversation also delves into the advantages and limitations of ion traps compared to other architectures. Stick shares exciting advancements in their technology, including the enchilada trap, developed as part of the Quantum Systems Accelerator project. Tune in to learn more about the cutting-edge research happening in the field of quantum computing.

[00:07:14] Large scale ion trap.
[00:10:29] Entangling gates.
[00:14:14] Major innovations in magneto optical systems.
[00:17:30] The Name "Enchilada"
[00:21:16] Combining chains for collective gates.
[00:27:02] Sympathetic cooling and decoherence.
[00:30:16] Unique CMOS application.
[00:33:08] CMOS compatible photonics.
[00:38:04] More breakthroughs on accuracy.
[00:41:39] Scaling quantum computing systems.
[00:45:00] Private industry and technology scaling.
[00:51:36] Ion trap technology progress.
[00:54:39] Spreading the word and building community.

00:01:15 - "So these architectures have, I think, powerful advantages versus other architectures."
00:18:30 - "So that was the name."
00:23:34 - "That's correct. That's that is one of the selling points for trapped ion quantum computing is that there is no threshold temperature at which you make the qubit go from behaving really well to behaving, you know, above which things would operate really poorly."
00:35:37 - "That is the grand vision that you've got this chip sitting inside of a chamber, and a bunch of digital signals go in and out of it."
00:38:40 - "What's a few exponents between friends anyway?"
00:41:39 - "That is one of the things that we have to think about is our gates are just, I don't know, 100 times to a thousand times slower than superconducting quantum computing systems or solid state quantum computing systems and ways to get around that have to leverage other kind of other attempts that are not limited by the physical speeds that are possible with an ion trap."
00:48:43 - "Do you have a paperclip, Kevin? That's all you need."

Operating at the Quantum Limit with Dr. Dana Anderson Sep 05, 2023

Title: Operating at the Quantum Limit with Dr. Dana Anderson

“In 25 to 30 years, quantum is going to be in the kitchen, sitting next to the toaster.” — Dr. Dana Anderson

Description: Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era Podcast hosted by Kevin Rowney and Sebastian Hassinger. Today, they are joined by Dr. Dana Anderson to talk about quantum computation, simulation, and sensing technologies using ultracold neutral atoms. Dr. Anderson is Chief Strategy Officer of Infleqtion, which was founded in 2007 as ColdQuanta and recently changed its name after acquiring Super.tech. Dr. Anderson is an applied physicist trained in quantum optics with extensive experience in optical neural networks, signal processing, precision measurement, and what he calls the field of “atomtronics.”

Key Takeaways:

[3:34] Dr. Anderson shares how he found his passion in physics and his entry point to quantum information science in general.

[5:13] How do lasers make atoms cold?

[7:13] Does Dr. Anderson think that what was learned from building atomic clocks and quantum devices has accelerated the development and maturation of the technologies behind the neutral atom arrays?

[10:44] Dr. Anderson talks about the optical lattice.

[12:41] Dr. Anderson addresses the early dawn of the transistor and the parallels with what he calls our age of atomtronics.

[14:00] Does Dr. Anderson think components on the optical side continue to shrink?

[15:17] Dr. Anderson explains how he uses machine learning to train an interferometer.

[17:44] Would machine learning assist in qubit control?

[25:05] What kind of new sensing technologies will emerge into the market?

[27:31] Dr. Anderson shares NASA developments regarding climate change.

[29:31] There will be a home-use application for quantum (and it will be boring, according to Dr. Anderson).

[31:48] Dr. Anderson discusses the benefits of meeting quantum and machine learning.

[36:06] Dr. Anderson helps us understand how the Infleqtion platform and quantum computation could emerge as a set of practical outcomes.

[45:02] Sebastian and Dr. Anderson discuss Infleqtion’s acquisition of Super.tech and what they have been working on.

[47:18] What does Dr. Anderson see on the horizon for the next 12 to 24 months for neutral atoms?

Mentioned in this episode:

Visit The New Quantum Era Podcast

The Nobel Prize in physics for Bose Einstein Condensates
Learn more about Infleqtion
NASA Cold Atom Lab

Tweetables and Quotes:

“Every atom is a qubit, and every atom is just like every other atom, and it is as perfect as it could be.“ — Dr. Dana Anderson

“Roughly speaking, the way to think about everything Infleqtion can be boiled down to atomtronics.” — Dr. Dana Anderson

“If you are not operating at a quantum limit, you are not competitive .” — Dr. Dana Anderson

Black hole physics and new states of quantum matter with John Preskill Aug 24, 2023

If anyone needs no introduction on a podcast about quantum computing, it's John Preskill. His paper "Quantum Computing in the NISQ era and beyond," published in 2018, is the source of the acronym "NISQ," for Noisy, Intermediate Scale Quantum" computers -- basically everything we are going to build until we get to effective error correction. It's been cited almost 6000 times since, and remains essential reading to this day.

John is a particle physicist and professor at Caltech whose central interests are actually cosmology, quantum matter, and quantum gravity -- he sees quantum computing as a powerful means to gain more understanding of the fundamental behavior of our universe. We discuss the information paradox of black holes, quantum error correction, some history of the field, and the work he's doing with his PhD student Robert (Hsin-Yuan) Huang using machine learning to estimate various properties of quantum systems.

How did you become interested in quantum information? 5:13
The discovery of Shor’s algorithm. 10:11
Quantum error correction. 15:51
Black holes and it from qubit. 21:19
Is there a parallel between error correcting codes and holographic projection of three dimensions? 27:27
The difference between theory and experiment in quantum matter. 38:56
Scientific applications of quantum computing. 55:58

Notable links:

The Physics of Quantum Information, adapted from John's talk at the Solvay Conference on the Physics of Information
Quantum Computing 40 Years Later, an update to John's NISQ paper on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the conference at Endicott, the Physics of Computation.
Lecture notes for John's class on quantum computing at Caltech, PH229
Predicting many properties of a quantum system from very few measurements, one of the papers Robert Huang has published with John, appearing in Nature Physics

Tweetables and Quotes:

“The idea that you can solve problems efficiently that you'd never be able to solve because it's a quantum world and not a world governed by classical physics, I thought that was one of the coolest ideas I'd ever encountered.” — John Preskill

“There's something different about quantum information than ordinary information. You can't look at it without disturbing it.” — John Preskill

“Ideas which were being developed without fundamental physics, necessarily in mind, like quantum error correction, have turned out to be very relevant in other areas of physics.” — John Preskill

“Thinking about quantum error correction in the context of gravitation led us to construct new types of codes which weren't previously known. “ — John Preskill

“With quantum computers and quantum simulators, we can start to investigate new types of matter, new phases, which are far from equilibrium.“ — John Preskill.

A Hybrid NISQ-Classical Solution Architecture with Harry Buhrman Aug 07, 2023

Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era Podcast hosted by Kevin Rowney and Sebastian Hassinger. Today, they are joined by another distinguished researcher, Dr. Harry Buhrman. Dr. Buhrman is a professor at the University of Amsterdam, he's a director at the CWI, and he's the director at Qusoft as well. He's got a long and illustrious career in quantum information. Today, Dr. Buhrman takes us through some of his earlier work and some of his areas of interest, and he also discloses details of his recent paper which was going to be called Ultra Fast Quantum Circuits for Quantum State Preparation, but was posted to the arXiv as State preparation by shallow circuits using feed forward, which provides fascinating results with respect to the core architecture divided into four layers and time complexity around that framework.

Key Takeaways:

[4:45] Sebastian introduces Dr. Harry Buhrman.

[5:31] How did Dr. Buhrman become interested in Quantum Computing?

[9:31] Dr. Buhrman remembers the first time he heard about the complexity class known as fast quantum polynomial time, or BQP.

[11:35] Dr. Buhrman and Richard Cleve started working on communication complexity.

[14:14] Dr. Buhrman discusses the opportunity that arose after Shor’s algorithm.

[14:53] Dr. Buhrman has also written biology papers explaining how he became involved in this field.

[18:05] Is quantum computation and quantum algorithms the main focus now regarding Dr. Buhrman’s areas of study?

[20:06] Software and hardware are codependent, so codesigning is needed.

[20:58]. What are the big unsolved problems in the areas of time complexity and hierarchy for quantum?

[24:50] Does Dr. Buhrman think it's possible that there could be a future where some of the classical time complexity problems could be powerfully informed by quantum information science and Quantum Time complexity discovery?

[27:32] Does Dr. Buhrman think that, over time, the distinction between classical information theory and quantum information theory will erode?

[28:50] Dr. Burhman talks about his Team's most recent paper.

[33:55] Dr. Buhrman’s group is using tmid-circuit measurement and classical fan out to extend the amount of computation time

[35:04] How does this approach differ from VQE or QAOA?

[38:35] About Dr. Buhrman’s current paper, is he thinking through algorithms that may be able to be implemented in at least toy problems sort of scale to try this theory out and implementation?

{39:22] Sebastian talks about QubiC, an open-source Lawrence Berkeley National Lab project.

[41:14] Dr. Buhrman recognizes he is very much amazed by the fact that when he started in this field in the mid-late 90s, it was considered very esoteric and beautiful but probably wouldn't lead to anything practical.

[43:49] Dr. Buhrman assures that there is a chance that those intractable problems for classical computing also remain intractable for quantum computers.

[44:24] What's the next big frontier for Dr. Buhrman and his team?

[47:03] Dr. Buhrman explains Quantum Position Verification used for implementing secure communication protocols.

[50:56] Sebastian comments on the hilarious and interesting titles for papers Dr. Buhrman comes up with.

[53:10] Kevin and Sebastian share the highlights of an incredible conversation with Dr. Buhrman.

Mentioned in this episode:

Visit The New Quantum Era Podcast

Quantum entanglement and communication complexity

The first peptides: the evolutionary transition between prebiotic amino acids and early proteins

A Qubit, a Coin, and an Advice String Walk Into a Relational Problem

Six hypotheses in search of a theorem

Tweetables and Quotes:

“ Biological processes are quantum mechanical, and sometimes you need the quantum mechanical description to understand them, and indeed, quantum computers could be of great help in simulating them and understanding them better than we currently do.“ — Dr. Harry Buhrman

“There's a huge gap between what we can do and what we can prove is true.“ — Dr. Harry Buhrman

“Our problems have become bigger but also more interesting, I would say.“ — Dr. Harry Buhrman

“We're not the first ones to see that having mid-computation measurements plus classical feed forwards actually is very useful and can help you solve problems or generate states that if you don't have this are impossible to make.” — Dr. Harry Buhrman

“Big companies are very interested in QC not only for building quantum computers but also figuring out whether it is useful from a software point of view. ” — Dr. Harry Buhrman

The Mysterious Majorana with Leo Kouwenhoven Jul 24, 2023

Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era Podcast hosted by Kevin Rowney and Sebastian Hassinger. Today, they are joined by an outstanding European researcher: Professor Leo Kouwenhoven.

Leo is a professor in Applied Physics specialized in the field of Quantum NanoScience at TU Delft. Leo got his Ph.D. in Mesoscopic Physics at Delft. He was a postdoc researcher at the University of California at Berkeley and a visiting professor at Harvard. Highlights in Leo’s career include the discovery of conductance quantization in quantum point contacts, Coulomb blockade in quantum dots, artificial atoms, the Kondo effect in quantum dots, Spin qubits, induced superconductivity in nanowires and nanotubes, spin-orbit qubits in nanowires and nanotubes and Majoranas in nanowires. Leo and his group found evidence of Majoranas detailed in a paper from 2012. He lead the Microsoft hardware R&D effort, working on topological qubits using Majorana zero modes from 2016 to 2022. His current focus at Delft is on topological effects in solid-state devices, such as the emergence of Majoranas and topological qubits.

Key Takeaways:

[2:53] Kevin and Sebastian share their appreciation about how quantum computing was represented in the episode Joan is Awful of the TV show Black Mirror.

[6:04] Leo shares how he got interested in the field of quantum computing.

[9:40] Leo discusses how much he knew about the work done in theoretical quantum computing in the mid to late 90s.

[14:37] The advantage of superconducting qubits is that you have a large number of electrons in the circuit you are manipulating.

[15:34] Measurability can be easier but “it always comes with a price”.

[17:05] Leo admits the coherence was insufficient, and he shares how they tried to improve it.

[19:15] What is the feature of silicon that makes it valuable for Quantum Computing?

[22:12] Leo shares the benefits of a hybrid system (combining super connectivity and semi-connectors).

[23:10] Leo discusses how he became interested in Majoranas.

[27:30] Leo addresses the main research agenda destination regarding Majoranas.

[28:22] Was the Majoranas fundamental particle found?

[33:21] The potential for theory and application is so huge. What's Leo’s sense about the prospects for these avenues of inquiry research?

[36:25] Leo explains the non-abelian property that Majoranas zero modes have.

[40:18] Leo addresses the two groups of gate operations needed for universal computing.

[41:22] Leo gives his opinion regarding the timeframe for the appearance of commercially viable outcomes in this domain.

[47:16] Sebastian reflects on the maturation of the neutral atom systems, considering them as the first realization of Feynman's vision from 1981 regarding the fact that in order to simulate a natural system, there is a need for a quantum computer to do it.

[48:08] Can we build machines that can help us simulate the dynamics of quantum systems that might help us understand more what the challenges are in Majorana Qubit?

[51:01] Does Leo think there's any value in Majorana braiding simulations to try to understand the dynamics of the system or overcome the challenges?

[53:50] There is room for optimism in Quantum Computing.

[56:24] Leo talks about the dream of topological Majoranas qubit.

[58:16] Kevin and Sebastian share the highlights of an insightful conversation with Leo Kouwenhoven.

Mentioned in this episode:

Visit The New Quantum Era Podcast

Black Mirror: Joan is Awful

Learn more about Leo Kouwenhoven
Signatures of Majorana fermions in hybrid superconductor-semiconductor nanowire devices

Tweetables and Quotes:

“The advantage of the superconducting qubits is that you have a large number of electrons in the circuit you are manipulating, which can make measurability easier, but it always comes with a price.”— Leo Kouwenhoven

“I read that making qubits was too much engineering when it should be something more fundamental… so now we think qubits are fundamental?!” — Leo Kouwenhoven

“Problems are there to be solved; they only exist to be solved. People in classical electronics also solved all their problems, so why can’t we? ” — Leo Kouwenhoven

Quantum Supremacy to Generative AI and Back with Scott Aaronson May 08, 2023

Description: Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era Podcast hosted by Kevin Rowney and Sebastian Hassinger. Today, they are joined by Scott Aaronson, who is a leading authority in the space of Quantum Computing, a fascinating person with a long list of relevant achievements. Scott is also the author of an outstanding blog called Shtetl-Optimize and a book named Quantum Computing Since Democritus.

Scott helped design Google Quantum Supremacy, but his work exceeds it; he is involved in Complexity Theory and Computer Science and is just extremely good at connecting, explaining, and digging deeper into concepts.

Key Takeaways:

[3:38] How did Scott get into quantum computing?

[11:35] Scott talks about the moment when the question arose: Does nature work this way?

[14:28] Scott shares when he realized he wanted to dig deeper into Quantum Computing.

[15:56] Scott remembers when he proved the limitation of quantum algorithms for a variation of Grover's search problem.

[18:43] Scott realized that his competitive advantage was the ability to explain how things work.

[20:01] Scott explains the collision problem.

[21:33] Scott defines the birthday paradox.

[23:24] Scott discusses the dividing line between serious and non-serious quantum computing research.

[24:11] What's Scott’s relative level of faith and optimism that the areas of topological quantum computing and measurement-based quantum computation are going to produce?

[28:33] Scott talks about what he thinks will be the source of the first practical quantum speed-up.

[31:55] Scott didn’t imagine that being a complexity theorist would become exponential.

[36:14] Is Scott optimistic about quantum walks?

[40:11] Has Scott returned to his machine learning and AI roots but is now trying to explain the concepts?

[42:03] Scott was asked: ‘What is it going to take to get you to stop wasting your life on quantum computing?’

[44:50] Scott talks about the future need to prevent AI misuse. and his role in Open AI

[47:41] Scott emphasizes the need for an external source that can point out your errors.

[50:13] Scott shares his thoughts about the possible risks and misuses of GPT.

[51:40] Scott made GPT to take a Quantum Computing exam; what did surprise him about the answers? It did much better on conceptual questions than on calculation questions

[55:55] What kind of validation will we be able to give GPT?

[56:22] Scott explains how RLHF (Reinforced Learning from Human Feedback) works.

[59:28] Does Scott feel that there's room for optimism that educators can have a decent tool to hunt down this kind of plagiarism?

[1:02:08] Is there anything that Scott is excited about seeing implemented on 1000 gate-based qubits with a decent amount of error mitigation?

[1:04:05] Scott shares his interest in designing better quantum supremacy experiments.

[1:07:43] Could these quantum supremacy experiments (based on random circuit sampling) already deliver a scalable advantage?

[1:10:58] Kevin and Sebastian share the highlights of a fun and enlightening conversation with Scott Aaronson.

Mentioned in this episode:

Visit The New Quantum Era Podcast

Check Shtetl-Optimize

Quantum Computing Since Democritus, Scott Aaronson

Learn more about the Adiabatic Algorithm result by Hastings and the Quantum Walk Algorithm result by Childs et Al.

Tweetables and Quotes:

“The dividing line between serious and nonserious quantum computing research is, are you asking the question of, ‘Can you actually be the best that a classical computer could do at the same desk? “ — Scott Aaronson

“My first big result in quantum computing that got me into the field was to prove that Prasad Hoyer tap algorithm for the collision problem was optimal.” — Scott Aaronson

“ Quantum Walks are a way of achieving Grover type speed ups at a wider range of problems than you would have expected.” — Scott Aaronson

“AI safety is now a subject where you can get feedback.” — Scott Aaronson

“We don't have any theorems that would explain the recent successes of deep learning, the best way we can explain why is that none of the theorems rule it out.” — Scott Aaronson

The Fault-Tolerance Threshold with Dorit Aharonov Apr 24, 2023

Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era Podcast hosted by Kevin Rowney and Sebastian Hassinger.

In this episode, we are joined by Dorit Aharonov, a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and one of the pioneers of quantum computing. She's also the Chief Science Officer at QEDMA, a quantum startup based in Israel. Dorit is one of the major movers and shakers of quantum error correction and co-author of the important Threshold Theorem for quantum error correction. Kevin, Sebastian, and Dorit talk about her recent work on the theoretical foundations of random circuit sampling.

Key Takeaways:

[4:22] Dorit shares her path into quantum information and computing.

[8:27] Dorit explains the threshold theorem in an easy-to-understand manner.

[16:35] The velocity of error correction versus the generation of errors in the computation could depend on physical implementation, or the algorithm. Maybe even both.

[18:53] A more powerful assertion Dorit makes is that there's a deeper connection between the phases of matter and the transition between solid and liquid and these quantum error correction thresholds.

[19:51] A lot of the foundations of classical error correction were laid down in the mid-40s in Von Neumann's work when the IAS system was being built. Dorit still sees the echoes of that.

[22:35] We might be witnessing a growing momentum around the powerful expression of new quantum error correction technologies.

[25:28] Dorit talks about the difference between error mitigation and error correction.

[26:55] Dorit explains the idea of the reset gate.

[30:22] It might be safe to say that challenges are primarily engineering in nature and that we have enough science to enable that engineering to get to fault tolerance.

[31:50] Dorit discusses a possible timeline for this engineering to get to fault tolerance.

[34:07] Is Dorit an NISQ optimist or a pessimist when it comes to real-world applications?

[39:21] Dorit addresses the difference between practical and asymptotic quantum advantage.

[41:30] Dorit shares what the paper on random circuit sampling shows.

[45:25] Dorit explains why the machine learning algorithms that were dequantized are treacherous.

[49:56] Dorit shows optimism regarding the possibility of seeing evidence of a quantum event.

[52:25] Dorit admits to finding constructive interference between working in the industry and working on theoretical questions.

[53:50] Is there something Dorit is excited about in the next year or two that will be another step forward?

[56:50] Dorit talks about concrete examples of experiments and sensors that might be arriving thanks to quantum computing advancements.

[1:00:35] Sebastian and Kevin share the highlights of a fantastic conversation with Dorit.

Mentioned in this episode:

Visit The New Quantum Era

The New Quantum Era Podcast

Limitations of Noisy Reversible Computation Dorit Aharonov, Michael Ben-Or, Russell Impagliazzo, Norm Nisan

The Complexity of NISQ, Sitan Chen, Jordan Cotler, Hsin-Yuan, and Jerry Li
A polynomial-time classical algorithm for noisy random circuit sampling Dorit Aharonov, Xun Gao, Zueph Landau, Yunchao Liu, Umesh Vazirani

QEDMA

Tweetables and Quotes:

“Nobody actually believed that it was possible to correct errors that occur on quantum states because of the lack of reversibility. ” — Dorit Aharonov

“it's a physics phenomenon… below a certain threshold, we can think of this as if the system is capable of some completely different behavior, like ice and water. It's just like a phase transition -- below that, there would be macroscopic entanglement and … ability to control large scale quantum correlations. And above it, this would not be possible.” — Dorit Aharonov

Probability First: Understanding Quantum Computing with James Whitfield Apr 10, 2023

Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era Podcast hosted by Kevin Rowney and Sebastian Hassinger. Today, they are joined by James Whitfield, who's a professor at Dartmouth College and is a colleague of Sebastian’s at Amazon Web Services’ quantum team. James has a quantum chemistry background, and, as a result, he brings that sensibility to his work in quantum information science.

In today’s episode, they cover three main topics:

They talk about the specific areas of quantum chemistry where progress in quantum computation can be seen towards cracking key problems.
They address the intuitive nature of perceiving entanglement within quantum states and how those manifest in quantum algorithms (excellent material for people trying to get on top of that challenging concept).
James shares his perspectives on enhancing pedagogy in Quantum Information Science, both in the K -12 range and at the graduate level.

Key Takeaways:

[4:06] James talks about his background.

[6:37] What's the simplest way to explain what quantum chemistry is?

[8:18] James shares framing remarks on the merit of quantum computing in these early phases regarding its applicability to physical chemistry.

[10:30] James talks about the concept of time evolution.

[11:13] James explains the differences between the dynamical nature and the optimization nature of a problem.

[13:06] James speaks of what happens inside of quantum time evolution.

[14:54] Geometry optimization is only one problem that people discuss.

[16:47] James talks about the ‘clamped nuclei’ approximation.

[17:33] James describes the two ways of thinking about the Schrodinger equation.

[19:59] What types of things would we be able to do if we could model time intervals?

[24:09] Does James think that, in terms of time evolutions, fairly large numbers of fault-tolerant qubits are needed to do useful calculations? Or is there a class of problems that NISQ or even Analog Devices like QuEra could be helpful with?

[27:13] What is entanglement entropy? And what does that mean for computation?

[30:48] Why do people believe in the extra power of quantum computing?

[32:37] James defines coherence and decoherence.

[34:25] James explains why measuring the growth rate of entanglement entropy over time is one way to capture the richness of the other quantum state.

[36:42] James talks about the application of quantum chemistry.

[42:55] James believes that, eventually, these will all converge.

[43:54] James shares one of his projects about how we use quantum computers to benchmark what people do today.

[45:37] The hard part is not the implementation; James explains why.

[47:53] James uses the analogy of the robotics challenge.

[48:41] James talks about the event called: Quantum Computing Quantum Chemistry Benchmark. 2023.

[49:25] Is there an optimum starting point for quantum education?

[52:45] James works with no negative probabilities.

[55:05] James talks about quantum mechanics and atomic physics.

[56:25] Quantum and AI often get grouped into the same category in terms of technology.

[57:46] James shares what he enjoys the most about his work.

[59:30] Does James think that eventually, software will eat all of these disciplines of science related to quantum information, and we will end up with scientists writing code, and that code will solve problems in chemistry, physics, or other scientific areas through writing software?

[1:02:40] Kevin and Sebastian share the highlights of a fantastic conversation with James Whitfield.

Mentioned in this episode:

Visit The New Quantum Era Podcast
Computational Complexity in Electronic Structure James Whitfield, Peter J. Love, Alan Aspuru-Guzik
Limitations of Linear Cross-Entropy as a Measure for Quantum Advantage Xun Gao, Marcin Kalinowski, Chi-Ning Chou, Mikhail D. Lukin, Boaz Barak, Soonwon Choi
Understanding the Schrodinger equation as a kinematic statement: A probability-first approach to quantum James Daniel Whitfield

2023 Quantum Chemistry on Quantum Computers Benchmarking Contest

Tweetables and Quotes:

“To actually get what the strength of that spring should be, you need to know what the electrons are doing, and that's where electronic structure comes in, and this is where a lot of the effort inside of quantum computing has gone in.”. — James Whitfield

“ In terms of their justification for believing in the extra power of quantum computing, the soul of the claim for many people is largely founded on the capacity of these systems to witness entanglement and have a richer notion of state, which is harder to express classically.” — Kevin Rowney

“Quantum and AI often get grouped into the same category in terms of technology.” — Sebastian Hassinger.

“There are still fantastic scientists who take entire journeys inside their head, building mathematical structures, they don't bother to code it up, and then they give it to someone else who codes it up.” — James Whitfield.

It is Known with Joe Fitzsimons, part 2 of 2 Mar 13, 2023

We continue our stimulating conversation with Joe Fitzsimons, CEO and founder of Horizon Quantum Computing. After last episode's exploration of Joe's reasoned case for an optimistic future for quantum computing, we dig into Horizon's development of compiling tools that Joe hopes will unlock broad performance advantages from future quantum devices.

Computer History Museum
McCullough-Pitts paper on artificial neurons
A guide to the HHL algorithm from the excellent qiskit open source textbook

An optimistic view of quantum computing's future with Joe Fitzsimons part 1 of 2 Feb 27, 2023

Kevin and Sebastian are joined by Joe Fitzsimons, founder and CEO of Horizon Quantum Computing, a startup based in Singapore. Joe recently posted a thread on Twitter responding to some of the reactions to a recent Time cover story about quantum computing. We were really struck by his level-headed optimism and so we wanted to dig in deeper. This is part one of our conversation with Joe, where he explains the reasoning behind his optimism for the future of the technology.

Mentioned in the episode
Global Risk Institute 2022 Quantum Threat Timeline Report
The Center for Quantum Technologies in Singapore
Wikipedia page on 2 nanometer process for microprocessor fabrication

It from Qubit with Grant Salton Dec 29, 2022

Kevin and Sebastian are joined by Grant Salton, a quantum researcher at AWS, who helps us understand a recent paper from Google and Caltech whose authors describe a simulation of a wormhole on Google's Sycamore quantum computer. The paper stirred some controversy and push back on the misunderstanding of the claims being made, and Grant walks us through a sub-domain of quantum information science called "it from qubit," which seeks to bridge elements of astrophysics with concepts from quantum information.

Mentioned in the episode:
The Nature paper from Google and Caltech describing the wormhole experiment and findings.
Some context from Caltech blog.
John Wheeler's paper: "Information, Physics, Quantum: The Search for Links" which coined "it from bit."
A BBC article describing the "quantum hair" solution to Hawking's black hole information paradox.
The Edge of All We Know, a terrific documentary that traces the efforts to solve the information paradox in parallel with the effort to capture an image of a black hole.

Better Qubits Through Material Science with Nathalie DeLeon Nov 14, 2022

Key Takeaways:

[3:38] Nathalie shares how she found her way into the field of quantum technology.

[6:25] Nathalie talks about the key moment in the landscape towards being a believer in Quantum Technology.

[8:29] Nathalie talks about certain things that made her change her mind.

[12:20] Nathalie speaks about her particular entry into the science field.

[18:09] How far up the stack does Nathalie’s interest lie, and how does that inform what she has been doing down at the materials?

[22:54] Nathalie shares the story about NSF.

[25:48] What is wrong with Niobium?

[27:12] Nathalie explains the difficulty of surface physics and surface chemistry in this domain.

[32:30] Is there a way to describe conceptually how a vacancy in a diamond can be used as a two-level system or for a cubit, or as a sensing device?

[37:03] Why is it called a color center?

[37:59] Nathalie talks about the genesis of her paper which includes material science foundations for the quantum information process.

[42:35] Can Nathalie make any speculations based on what she learned from the review paper?

[46:54] Is it true that manipulating diamonds is really slow?

[48:28] Sebastian talks about the way they met Nathalie.

[49:29] Are there things that either educators or industry participants in this stage of quantum computing and quantum information technologies can do to help make this area work better than the other fields have in the past?

[55:58] Sebastian and Kevin share the highlights of an amazing conversation with Nathalie DeLeon.

Mentioned in this episode:

Visit The New Quantum Era Podcast

Co-Design Center for Quantum Advantage

Tweetables and Quotes:

“If you could do a quantum version of erasure conversion, you can actually get extremely high thresholds.“ — Nathalie DeLeon

“The fact that, in some sense, fault tolerance is a phase, a transition is a quantum phase transition, right? You have a fundamentally different system before and after you turn on your error correction. .“ — Nathalie DeLeon

The History of Superconducting Qubits with Steve Girvin Oct 24, 2022

Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era Podcast hosted by Kevin Rowney and Sebastian Hassinger. Today, they are joined by Steve Girvin, professor of Physics at Yale who has a central role in the Yale Quantum Institute, which has been ground zero for the recent development in superconducting qubits.

The topics we had initially planned needed some adjustment, because on the day of the interview, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to three scientists for their work experimentally verifying the theory behind entanglement, the source of much of quantum computing's power. Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser, and Anton Zeilinger were recognized for their experiments in an area that has broad implications for secure information transfer and quantum computing.

Sebastian, Kevin, and Steve have an interesting talk about some of the history of the superconducting qubits and the transmon in particular, which is a basis for most of the modern superconducting qubits on the market. They also cover the topic of diversity, quality, and inclusion.

Key Takeaways:

[3:43] Steve introduces himself.

[5:23] Steve shares his primary domains of research.

[9:50] Was there a sort of self-awareness in the Yale group that Steve and his team were taking radically? Were they considering a different approach that could solve some of the challenges of the other models that existed at the time?

[14:38] Steve talks about how relatively quickly the hardware can be fabricated to be able to crank out, iterations, variations, and experiments.

[17:27] Is there room for optimism about the new dimensions of research related to MER material science?

[19:25] Steve shares his thoughts on the news about the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics.

[22:18] Steve talks about how some of the epistemological questions that these paradoxes present, feel really mind-bending to many people on the outside of physics.

[25:38] Steve addresses how hard it is to predict the future.

[27:21] Does Steve consider himself an optimist about the progress of quantum computing?

[30:10] How can we get reliable performance out of an inherently, very unreliable system?

[33:22] Steve helps us fill in the narrative, in the history of where GKP codes are situated and their significance to contemporary developments.

[41:14] Steve talks about the basic steps of the algorithm to do the error correction.

[44:01] The history of computer science is very, uh, white, male, and, uh, dominated in nature, Steve shares his thoughts about diversity, equity, and inclusion.

[48:34] What we can do to change the composition of the field when the underlying foundations of the way science is done in the lab have a such rigid history of hierarchy, power structures, and power dynamics that are so easily abused?

[55:02] Sebastian and Kevin share their thoughts on an amazing conversation with Steve Girvin,

Mentioned in this episode:

Visit The New Quantum Era Podcast

Turing's Cathedral: The Origins of the Digital Universe, George Dyson

Documentary: Picture a Scientist

Tweetables and Quotes:

“A very productive part of my childhood was having nothing to do, but to dream.“ — Steve Girvin

“The simpler you keep things, the easier it's to do things “ — Steve Girvin

“Einstein really made massive contributions to the development of the quantum theory. “ — Steve Girvin

“The way we test whether our quantum computer is a quantum computer is checking first thing in the morning to calibrate it, if it's doing the thing that Einstein said was impossible then, it's working.“ — Steve Girvin

“Looking ahead, it's very, very hard to predict where this is going, but along the way, there's such fantastic. basic science and quantum.” — Steve Girvin

“When you're doing a hiring search, it's not about adding constraints, like interviewing more women…It's about removing constraints. You should look wider. There's a theorem that if you release constraints, the optimum cannot get worse, it can only get better. ” — Steve Girvin

Quantum Error Correction with James Wootton Oct 10, 2022

Key Takeaways:

[3:23] James introduces himself.

[4:20] James talks about his engagement in game development using the public IBM Cloud quantum systems.

[5:40] James explains why he said he expected the field of quantum computing to be more accessible by starting with hobbyists.

[7:02] James talks about the theory behind quantum computing.

[8:23] James speaks of how to engage people in quantum computing by proving Einstein was wrong in how he saw quantum mechanics.

[12:39] What are some of the things that James has seen that were sort of super inventive ways to use quantum computing in a game context?

[14:20] James talks about the quantum emoji generator.

[15:26] James shares his opinion in regard to Quantum Chess.

[16:48] James talks about a new game called Quantum Odyssey

[18:08] James shares an experience working with kids when he was at the University of Basel.

[19:55] James talks about his passion for quantum error correction.

[20:41] James tells the difference between quantum error correction and quantum error mitigation.

[24:18] Sebastian talks about mitigation strategies.

[27:00] Could it be that lots of the statistical tradecraft with respect to analyzing data and attempting to interpret its meaning in the presence of acknowledged errors and the signal is perhaps a foundational part of QAM?

[28:01] What are the major and most interesting themes to James these days?

[29:36] James explains the threshold theorem.

[34:33] What is the current math result in terms of the threshold of error occurrence that you need to get to get over the hump?

[35:16] James talks about the experimental results where people have built minimal examples of quantum error-correcting codes

[36:01] James talks about a recent experiment made at IBM quantum.

[36:40] What does surface code mean?

[39:20] Are there any other types of errors that quantum error correction has to struggle with? Or are the bit flip and phase error the two main aspects?

[41:55] James talks about the recent research on silicon spin qubits.

[45:39] Sebastian and Kevin share the highlights of an amazing conversation with James.

Mentioned in this episode:

Visit The New Quantum Era Podcast

Stephen Hawking faces Paul Rudd in epic chess match (feat. Keanu Reeves)

Tweetables and Quotes:

“It's better if we start off by building a little bit of intuition, and then bringing in the maths, it's important to bring in the maths but I think it's better when the maths is describing an intuition that people already have and that's the starting point.” — James Wootton

“There have been experimental results already where people have built minimal examples of quantum error correcting codes and showing that they have a beneficial effect. So that's what happens when the noise is low enough. “ — James Wootton

Molecular and Subatomic Physics with David Mazziotti Sep 02, 2022

Title: Molecular and Subatomic Physics with David Mazziotti

Description: Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era Podcast hosted by Kevin Rowney and Sebastian Hassinger. Today, they are joined by David Mazziotti, a physicist, and research team leader at the University of Chicago. He generously showed up with some deeply fascinating material for your consideration. Professor Mazziotti is a highly accomplished scholar, researcher, and mentor. This interview with David is a ringside seat on one of the most interesting recent research on molecular and subatomic physics that is now being explored by scholars using quantum computers.

Today, David talks about how he got interested in quantum computing, his current findings and experiments, and his optimistic perspective about the possibility of breakthroughs in the near future of quantum.

Key Takeaways:

[6:13] David talks about his background.

[11:32] David’s first professor role was teaching quantum chemistry.

[12:30] David speaks about the first time he used quantum computing hardware to perform experimentation, like simulation of quantum chemistry.

[14:42] David Talks about his first foray into quantum computing.

[16:45] What measurements is David doing inside the quantum computer to register that data on the polytopes?

[18:58] Where did the inspiration come from for using limited hardware with limited capabilities (from a gate and noise perspective) in a really creative way to do really sophisticated simulations?

[24:19] What are the major engineering or commercial applications?

[28:43] David talks about his collaboration on a couple of papers on a generalizable system for free a simulation of open quantum systems.

[31:24] Is there something that can be done on a standard quantum computer to simulate open systems? Is new hardware needed?

[33:40] Is it possible for David to speculate if there will be brand new algorithmic breakthroughs for clever classical optimization problems?

[35:10] David shares the publication of a new paper on communications physics.

[37:15] Can we make progress with noisy quantum computers?

[40:39] David speaks about how he and his team ended up getting a spectrumscoptic noise “fingerprint” of each of their IBM Quantum computers on which they were doing an experiment. What does derive from the spectrum of the QC?

[42:28] Is David programming the pulses or is he using gates?

[43:42] Is the fingerprint like a qubit?

[45:22] David believes that a more holistic perspective on the noise could be the way to control noise better.

[48:30] David’s work has been on superconducting hardware, is it applicable to trapped ions or neutral atoms or Rydberg atom systems that are coming out in the next year? And hopefully to photonic systems down the road?

[49:46] Is David’s work on superconducting hardware applicable to quantum sensing devices?

[52:41] David shares his excitement about the evolution of quantum computing in the next couple of years.

[56:19] For listeners who want to explore some of the code and are qiskit literate? Is any of the stuff that David has mentioned available open source style?

[59:05] David speaks of his work on reduced density matrix theory.

[1:00:26] If David could wish for any new hardware in the next year, what would he want?

[1:04:53] Sebastian and Kevin share their insights from a mind blowing conversation with David Mazziotti.

Mentioned in this episode:

Visit The New Quantum Era Podcast

Learn more about David Mazziotti’s work at his group’s website and check out their github repo

Tweetables and Quotes:

“So a polytope is basically a convex object with a bunch of flat sides and on one side, there's this polytope that's forbidden, on the other side, one that's allowed, and then there's this hyperplane in the middle called the Borland-Dennis Inequality, and you just don't want the points to go through.” — David Mazziotti

“In superconductivity, electrons form Cooper pairs, and these Cooper pairs of electrons all end up in a global quantum state and that allows you to send electricity into the superconductor, and actually have a current then come out from a macroscopic distance away, but not have any loss due to friction because you're really sending an electron into a global quantum state that's entangled with the electron that's coming out on the other side at the same time.” — David Mazziotti

“It's only after 2000, that people were able to realize excitation condensates by pumping them with light with radiation. And then in the last few years, since 2017, they've been able to prepare them in the laboratory, even without pumping them with radiation, either using strong magnetic fields or, actually, in some cases, not using any magnetic fields at all. But using Creative Chemistry.” — David Mazziotti

“The quantum computer gives one an ability to look at some things that before were really more just a theoretical dream” — David Mazziotti

“Can we make progress with noisy quantum computers? I think that's one of the central questions, because ultimately, quantum computers are always going to be somewhat noisy to some extent.” — David Mazziotti

Quantum advantage and all the information in the world with Cesar Rodriguez Rosario Aug 15, 2022

Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era Podcast hosted by Kevin Rowney and Sebastian Hassinger. Today, they are joined by Cesar A. Rodriguez Rosario, Chief Scientific Officer at Strangeworks, who is discussing the parallels between quantum computing and the development of the classical computing world at the stage of vacuum tubes and the invention of the transistor.

Cesar Rodriguez is a great example of somebody who is knowledgeable about the space of Quantum Computing and sees its possibility but he's got a decent level of guarded optimism and even skepticism on some of these results, which sometimes run fits and starts and sometimes even go backward.

Key Takeaways:

[4:33] Cesar shares what brought him into Quantum Computing.

[5:35] Cesar talks about his academic background

[11:39] Coming from computer engineering and having an unconventional journey through quantum physics, does Cesar consider he has a different perspective on the field today?

[15:28] Given the current stage of technology, what does Cesar think of the role of foreign theorists?

[17:37] How does Cesar view the reliability and the breakthrough potential of the currently existing crop of algorithms given the current limits?

[18:57] Cesar explains what QUantum Advantage is.

[21:08] From the landscape of the current algorithms out there, does Cesar feel like there's an imminent breakthrough in these scare algorithms?

[23:05] Will there going to be more "dequantized" algorithms?

[24:35] Cesar shares what he calls Quantum Value.

[25:21] Looking at the theory landscape, what are the most exciting things to Cesar?

[29:20] Does everything still fit into the general buckets of VQE and QAOA? Are there other categories that are emerging that are distinct enough from those two approaches that they have their own acronym yet?

[30:52] What does quantization mean?

[33:49] Cesar explains why quantum computers are fundamentally better at some problems than classical computers.

[37:33] Cesar defines the molecular geometry problem

[39:50] Cesar speaks of the beginning of Quantum Computing.

[42:53] Cesar talks about a recent major breakthrough.

[45:48] Cesar talks about the complexity of photonics.

[48:28] Cesar shares the challenge of speed.

[52:10] Kevin and Sebastian share the highlights of an interesting conversation with Cesar A. Rodriguez Rosario.

Resources:
Visit The New Quantum Era Podcast

Google's 2019 quantum supremacy experiment
A classical attack on Google's supremacy claim
An overview of Quantum supremacy
The variational quantum eigensolver algorithm paper from Alan Asperu-Guzik's group at Harvard
Eddie Farhi and Jeffrey Goldstone's Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm paper
Nature paper on error correction on spin qubits in diamond
The Chip, by T. R. Reid is a terrific book for understanding the early history of classical computing.

Tweetables and Quotes:

“You can use some qubits and their quality is really, really good. You can connect them very, very efficiently, and you can connect as many as you want, in a way that scales, we have to do all those things… and nobody has cracked the code for all these bullet points.” — Cesar A. Rodriguez Rosario

“Ideally, what's going to happen is that once we have the scalable error corrected qubits and all that, then you don't have to be a theorist anymore, and then I'm going to be a full-time quantum engineer and that will be healthy, I want that to happen since that would mean that the industry succeeded.” — Cesar A. Rodriguez Rosario

“It's okay, that things are not useful, yet, there's nothing wrong with that, because we're still working towards that.” — Cesar A. Rodriguez Rosario

Quantum Computing: Foundational Concepts with Nick Bronn Aug 02, 2022

Key Takeaways:

[8:25] Nick Bronn does a quick introduction about himself.

[9:23] At what point in Nick’s academic career did he find he was attracted to quantum computing rather than the condensed matter physical started to get drawn into the field?

[13:27] When Nick joined IBM, did they have a functioning superconducting qubit? Was there a transmon that was operational at that point? Or was it still building the first one in IBM?

[17:23] How a transmon qubit does its thing?

[20:27] Nick explains the DiVincenzo criteria.

[25:25] Nick explains how you can build whatever wavefunction you want with transmon qubits.

[28:40] Nick mentioned transitioning from experimental to more, such as the theory and the software. What was the motivator for Nick to get more involved in how to program these things?

[33:43] How would Nick recommend somebody who has not done a few decades in the lab doing the kind of necessary work to acquire his intuition on factors and what kind of budget they should have for certain resources to know to avoid one idiom of code versus another?

[36:27] Is there a way to encourage people to include a Jupyter Notebook with their code in the papers they post to the arxiv?

[41:25] Nick shares about his work in trying to actually create Majorana braiding on the superconducting qubits.

[46:10] Nick talks about other techniques such as variational algorithms.

[48:14] What are we going to see in the short to medium term, what will the big breakthroughs be?

[51:01] Nick is trying to simulate Majoranas state using the qubits. Would there be any learnings there or applications that would help in terms of error mitigation or error correction?

[53:33] Nick shares his thoughts on Majoranas and the very strong theoretical justification for their existence.

[56:16] Nick encourages physicists to learn to code, and developers to learn physics.

[58:01] Sebastian and Kevin share the highlights of an amazing conversation with Nick Bronn.

Links
Nick's video on error correction
DiVincenzo's criteria
Qiskit site, an incredible resource for learning!
The paper Nick mentioned by Bryce Fuller and Antonio Mezzocapo, Second-quantized fermionic operators with polylogarithmic qubit and gate complexity
The paper where Nick collaborated with David Pekker on simulating Majorana braiding on IBM's superconducting qubits.

Tweetables and Quotes:

“We're supposed to think about quantum computers as being a digital type of thing, you have these fundamental universal gates set, and that is not necessarily a continuous thing. But if you understand how the physics of these microwave operations work, then sometimes you can frame certain problems in a more efficient way, and reduce the overall amount of error that you incur.” — Nick Bronn

“We do have a large community of quantum computing users. And, and it's kind of, it's moving so fast that it's not even, it's not very easy to kind of convey what the best way to do everything is, l there's no standard operating procedure, no kind of best practices.” — Nick Bronn

“Physicists are not good coders, but just know enough to be dangerous.” — Nick Bronn

“What is incredibly interesting about the condensed matter of physics is that they allow you to understand the properties of materials, even crazy materials, like superconductors with relatively simple models.” — Nick Bronn

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