High Performance Computing Group

Quantum computing (QC) has been developing rapidly in the past decade and offers renewed hope for solutions to quantum many-body problems that appear in high energy physics, particularly Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), nuclear physics, and condensed matter theory. Traditionally, these problems, if not accessible analytically, are studied with classical computers using either statistical- or memory-intensive approaches. Monte Carlo methods, which have been used successfully to study lattice QCD at finite temperature, finite isospin chemical potential, and magnetic fields, are statistical-intensive approaches. Meanwhile, methods such as exact diagonalization and coupled cluster, traditionally used in nuclear physics, fall in the latter category.

This project is developing and implementing QC algorithms applicable for studying strongly coupled theories such as QCD in a regime where classical lattice simulations suffer from the fermion sign problem, including problems associated with astrophysical objects (e.g., neutron stars) and heavy-ion collisions. Secondly, this project is establishing a QC research group at St. Olaf College in collaboration with Brookhaven National Laboratory, providing students and other project personnel with hands-on research experience on quantum computers. We will recruit and train students from underrepresented communities to help develop a more diverse QC workforce.

CSI is coordinating the project team’s access to quantum and classical computing resources, training and mentoring the students and other personnel working on the project, and mentoring students who will visit Brookhaven Lab during the summer to work on the project. We also will provide expertise in classical lattice QCD simulations and optimal pulse control on quantum computers.

This project is funded by DOE’s Office of Nuclear Physics under its Quantum Horizons program.