Paths to Quantum Supremacy

Abstract

This proposal is about the theoretical aspects of the above questions. Its starting point isBosonSampling: a rudimentary form of optical quantum computing, proposed by the PI and hisstudent Alex Arkhipov in 2011, which has since been demonstrated in experiments involving 3-4photons. Crucially, the PI and Arkhipov proved that BosonSampling samples a probabilitydistribution that is hard to sample classically, assuming fundamental conjectures incomputational complexity theory. The current proposal will push that work further~forexample, by understanding the complexity-theoretic effects of photon losses. The proposal willinvolve direct collaboration between mathematicians and computer scientists on the one hand,and experimental physicists on the other. It will branch out far beyond BosonSampling, to studyother ~physics-inspired~ quantum computing models, including the commuting-Hamiltoniansmodel, stoquastic Hamiltonians, the one-clean-qubit model, models with limited entanglement,and models based on permutations and the Yang-Baxter equation. Finally, the proposal willdeepen our understanding of classical computing, by developing new techniques to understandwhen its apparent limitations are really fundamental, and when quantum computing can providean advantage.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Sep 23, 2016
Source ID
N000141613164

Entities

People

  • Scott Aaronson

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • University of Texas at Austin

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

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  • Quantum Dot Semiconductor Device Photonics and Graphene Optoelectronic Materials and THz Physics.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Quantum Computing