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At least 181 records · Page 10

Lagrange thermodynamic potential and intrinsic variables for He-3 He-4 dilute solutions

For a two-fluid model of dilute solutions of He-3 in liquid He-4, a thermodynamic potential is constructed that provides a Lagrangian for deriving equations of motion by a variational procedure. This Lagrangian is defined for uniform velocity fields as a (negative) Legendre transform of total internal energy, and its primary independent variables, together with their thermodynamic conjugates, are identified. Here, similarities between relations in classical physics and quantum statistical mechanics serve as a guide for developing an alternate expression for this function that reveals its character as the difference between apparent kinetic energy and intrinsic internal energy. When the He-3 concentration in the mixtures tends to zero, this expression reduces to Zilsel's formula for the Lagrangian for pure liquid He-4. An investigation of properties of the intrinsic internal energy leads to the introduction of intrinsic chemical potentials along with other intrinsic variables for the mixtures. Explicit formulas for these variables are derived for a noninteracting elementary excitation model of the fluid. Using these formulas and others also derived from quantum statistical mechanics, another equivalent expression for the Lagrangian is generated.

Jackson, H. W.↗

BFS Method for Alloys Optimized and Verified for the Study of Ordered Intermetallic Material

The aerospace industry has a need for new metallic alloys that are lightweight and have high strength at elevated temperatures. The BFS (Bozzolo, Ferrante, and Smith) method is a new, computationally efficient and physically sound quantum semi-perturbative approach for describing metals and their defects. Based on a simple interpretation of the alloy formation process that identifies strain and chemical contributions to the energy of the alloy, the method provides an atom-by-atom description of an alloy. Its implementation requires little more than algebra and the solution of transcendental equations. At the NASA Lewis Research Center, we have demonstrated that BFS can investigate the properties of a large number of alloys with a minimum computational effort on low-level computers. This screening allows the selection of the best alloy candidates for a particular application and, therefore, promises large cost savings over current approaches.

Source record↗

Self-consistent Quantum Iteratively Sparsified Hamiltonian Algorithm (SQuISH)

Due to coherence time limitations, reducing the resources required to run quantum algorithms and simulate physical systems on a quantum computer is crucial. With regards to Hamiltonian simulation, a significant effort has focused on building efficient algorithms using various factorizations and truncations, typically derived from the Hamiltonian alone. We introduce a new paradigm for improving Hamiltonian simulation and reducing the cost of ground state problems based on ideas recently developed for classical chemistry simulations. The key idea is that one can find efficient ways to reduce resources needed by quantum algorithms by making use of two key pieces of information: the Hamiltonian operator and an approximate ground state wavefunction. We refer to our algorithm as the self-consistent quantum iteratively sparsified Hamiltonian (SQuISH). By performing our scheme iteratively, one can drive SQuISH to create an accurate wavefunction using a truncated, resource-efficient Hamiltonian. By utilizing this more compact Hamiltonian, our algorithm provides an approach to reduce the gate complexity of ground state calculations on quantum hardware. As proof of principle, we implement SQuISH using configuration interaction for small molecules and coupled cluster for larger systems. Through our combination of approaches, we demonstrate how it performs on a range of systems, the largest of which would require more than 200 qubits to run on quantum hardware.

Diana Chamaki↗

Quantum simulation of massive Thirring and Gross--Neveu models for arbitrary number of flavors

The study of fermionic quantum field theories is an important problem for realizing the standard model of particle physics on a quantum computer. As a step towards this goal, we consider the massive Thirring and Gross--Neveu models with arbitrary number of fermion flavors, $N_f$, discretized on a spatial one-dimensional lattice of size $L$ in the Hamiltonian formulation. We compute the gate complexity using the higher-order product formula and using block-encoding/qubitization and quantum singular value transformations in the limit of large $N_f$ and $L$. We also prepare the ground states of both models with excellent fidelity for system sizes up to 20 qubits with $N_f = 1,2,3,4$ using the adaptive-variational quantum imaginary time algorithm. In addition, we also classify the dynamical Lie algebras of these relativistic fermionic models and show that they belong to the same isomorphism class. Our work is a concrete step towards the quantum simulation of real-time dynamics of large $N_f$ fermionic quantum field theories models relevant for chiral symmetry breaking, understanding dimensional transmutation, and exploring the conformal window of field theories on near-term and early fault-tolerant quantum computers.

FOS: Physical sciences↗

2D Semiconductor Nanosheets Supported on Colloidal Quantum Cubes

Two-dimensional (2D) colloidal nanocrystals bridge the physics of epitaxial quantum wells with the synthetic scalability of solution-processed nanomaterials, making them an attractive platform for future LEDs, lasers, and photodetectors. However, their strongly anisotropic 2D morphology complicates the formation of close-packed films required for electrically interfaced devices. Here, we address this limitation by introducing semiconductor quantum cubes (QCs) in which 2D CdSe nanosheets are conformally grown on six faces of CdS cubic scaffolds. This architecture preserves excitonic physics of quasi-2D nanosheets while leveraging the mechanical rigidity and self-assembly of nanocubes, enabling close-packed films with improved electronic coupling and electrical conductivity. By extending CdS/CdSe QCs into a CdS/CdSe/CdS core/shell/shell structure, we realize 2D quantum wells that exhibit unusual multiexciton behavior. In particular, CdS/CdSe/CdS QCs show repulsive exciton–exciton interactions, which decouple CdSe facets into quasi-independent emitters. This leads to the suppressed Auger recombination, long multiexciton lifetimes, and broadband optical gain. The demonstrated combination of unusual multiexciton photophysics and favorable film self-assembly characteristics in QCs presents opportunities for solution-processed optoelectronic devices.

perovskites↗

Simulation of open quantum systems via low-depth convex unitary evolutions

Simulating physical systems on quantum devices is one of the most promising applications of quantum technology. Current quantum approaches to simulating open quantum systems are still practically challenging on NISQ-era devices, because they typically require ancilla qubits and extensive controlled sequences. In this work, we propose a hybrid quantum-classical approach for simulating a class of open system dynamics called random-unitary channels. These channels naturally decompose into a series of convex unitary evolutions, which can then be efficiently sampled and run as independent circuits. The method does not require deep ancilla frameworks and thus can be implemented with lower noise costs. We implement simulations of open quantum systems up to dozens of qubits and with large channel ranks. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Peetz, Joseph (ORCID:0000000274458028)↗

A Future State for NASA Laboratories - Working in the 21st Century

The name "21 st Century Laboratory" is an emerging concept of how NASA (and the world) will conduct research in the very near future. Our approach is to carefully plan for significant technological changes in products, organization, and society. The NASA mission can be the beneficiary of these changes, provided the Agency prepares for the role of 21st Century laboratories in research and technology development and its deployment in this new age. It has been clear for some time now that the technology revolutions, technology "mega-trends" that we are in the midst of now, all have a common element centered around advanced computational modeling of small scale physics. Whether it is nano technology, bio technology or advanced computational technology, all of these megatrends are converging on science at the very small scale where it is profoundly important to consider the quantum effects at play with physics at that scale. Whether it is the bio-technology creation of "nanites" designed to mimic our immune system or the creation of nanoscale infotechnology devices, allowing an order of magnitude increase in computational capability, all involve quantum physics that serves as the heart of these revolutionary changes.

Kegelman, Jerome T.↗

Hybrid Oscillator-Qubit Quantum Processors: Instruction Set Architectures, Abstract Machine Models, and Applications

This tutorial offers a pedagogical guide to hybrid quantum processors that integrate discrete-variable (DV) qubits and continuous-variable (CV) oscillators. Aimed at computer scientists, engineers, and physicists, it provides an overview of the experimental, algorithmic, and architectural aspects of this novel and rapidly developing hardware model. Experimental realizations of this model include superconducting, trapped-ion, and neutral-atom platforms. By combining DV and CV components, hybrid oscillator-qubit processors enable a powerful new paradigm that offers complementary strengths for quantum control, error correction, computation, and simulation. Working toward the goal of a full-stack system connecting applications to CV-DV hardware, we define and formulate abstract machine models and instruction set architectures. These essential abstractions enable codesign of hardware and software, and resource estimation for exploring the potential of current and future hardware for computational and simulation tasks. Using these abstractions, we present both new and existing examples that illustrate the benefits of hybrid CV-DV processors relative to traditional DV-only hardware in computation as well as quantum simulation of physical models. Examples include algorithms for transferring states between DV and CV systems, performing the quantum Fourier transform, and simulation of lattice gauge theories. Relative to qubit-only hardware, the bosonic degrees of freedom natively available in hybrid architectures can substantially reduce the circuit complexity of simulations for physical models containing bosons. A key technique is the extension of quantum signal processing ideas to CV-DV systems. This work is intended to serve as a timely and comprehensive guide to this relatively unexplored yet promising approach to quantum computation and to provide a road map to guide future development.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

On the Trotter Error in Many-body Quantum Dynamics with Coulomb Potentials

Efficient simulation of many-body quantum systems is central to advances in physics, chemistry, and quantum computing, with a key question being whether the simulation cost scales polynomially with the system size. Here, in this work, we analyze many-body quantum systems with Coulomb interactions, which are fundamental to electronic and molecular systems. We prove that Trotterization for such unbounded Hamiltonians achieves a 1/4-order convergence rate, with explicit polynomial dependence on the number of particles. The result holds for all initial wavefunctions in the domain of the Hamiltonian, and the 1/4-order convergence rate is optimal, as previous work has numerically demonstrated that it can be saturated by a specific initial ground state. The main challenges arise from the many-body structure and the singular nature of the Coulomb potential. Our proof strategy differs from prior state-of-the-art Trotter analyses, addressing both difficulties in a unified framework. Our analysis treats the Coulomb potential as an unbounded operator without modification or regularization, and does not rely on spatial discretization, making it compatible with both first- and second-quantized circuit constructions.

Fang, Di [Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States)]↗

Quantum geometry in quantum materials

Quantum geometry, characterized by the quantum geometric tensor, plays a central role in diverse physical phenomena in quantum materials. This pedagogical review introduces the concept and highlights its implications across multiple domains, including optical responses, Landau levels, fractional Chern insulators, superfluid weight, spin stiffness, exciton condensates, and electronphonon coupling. By integrating these topics, we emphasize the broad significance of quantum geometry in understanding emergent behaviors in quantum systems and conclude with an outlook on open questions and future directions.

Condensed-matter physics↗

Exploiting Quantum Resonance to Solve Combinatorial Problems

Quantum resonance would be exploited in a proposed quantum-computing approach to the solution of combinatorial optimization problems. In quantum computing in general, one takes advantage of the fact that an algorithm cannot be decoupled from the physical effects available to implement it. Prior approaches to quantum computing have involved exploitation of only a subset of known quantum physical effects, notably including parallelism and entanglement, but not including resonance. In the proposed approach, one would utilize the combinatorial properties of tensor-product decomposability of unitary evolution of many-particle quantum systems for physically simulating solutions to NP-complete problems (a class of problems that are intractable with respect to classical methods of computation). In this approach, reinforcement and selection of a desired solution would be executed by means of quantum resonance. Classes of NP-complete problems that are important in practice and could be solved by the proposed approach include planning, scheduling, search, and optimal design.

Zak, Michail↗

Quantum chaos on edge

Recently, the physics of many-body quantum chaotic systems close to their ground states has come under intensified scrutiny. Such studies are motivated by the emergence of model systems exhibiting chaotic fluctuations throughout the entire spectrum [the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model being a renowned representative] as well as by the physics of holographic principles, which likewise unfold close to ground states. Interpreting the edge of the spectrum as a quantum critical point, here we combine a wide range of analytical and numerical methods to the identification and comprehensive description of two different universality classes: the near edge physics of “sparse” and the near edge of “dense” chaotic systems. The distinction lies in the ratio between the number of a system's random parameters and its Hilbert space dimension, which is exponentially small or algebraically small in the sparse and dense case, respectively. Notable representatives of the two classes are generic chaotic many-body models (sparse) and invariant random matrix ensembles or chaotic gravitational systems (dense). While the two families share identical spectral correlations at energy scales comparable to the level spacing, the density of states and its fluctuations near the edge are different. Considering the SYK model as a representative of the sparse class, we apply a combination of field theory and exact diagonalization to a detailed discussion of its edge spectrum. Conversely, Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity is our reference model for the dense class, where an analysis of the gravitational path integral and random matrix theory reveal universal differences to the sparse class, whose implications for the construction of holographic principles we discuss. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Altland, Alexander (ORCID:0000000229914805)↗

Projective Representations, Bogomolov Multiplier, and Their Applications in Physics

We present a pedagogical review of projective representations of finite groups and their physical applications in quantum many-body systems. Some of our physical results are new. We begin with a self-contained introduction to projective representations, highlighting the role of group cohomology, representation theory, and classification of irreducible projective representations. We then focus on a special subset of cohomology classes, known as the Bogomolov multiplier, which consists of cocycles that are symmetric on commuting pairs but remain nontrivial in group cohomology. Such cocycles have important physical implications: they characterize (1+1)D SPT phases that cannot be detected by string order parameters and give rise, upon gauging, to distinct gapped phases with completely broken non-invertible Rep(G) symmetry. We construct explicit lattice models for these phases and demonstrate how they are distinguished by the fusion rules of local order parameters. We show that a pair of completely broken Rep(G) SSB phases host nontrivial interface modes at their domain walls. As an example, we construct a lattice model where the ground state degeneracy on a ring increases from 32 without interfaces to 56 with interfaces.

Bogomolov multiplier↗