Problem of equilibration and the computation of correlation functions on a quantum computer

Barbara M. Terhal and David P. DiVincenzo
Phys. Rev. A 61, 022301 – Published 4 January 2000
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

We address the question of how a quantum computer can be used to simulate experiments on quantum systems in thermal equilibrium. We present two approaches for the preparation of the equilibrium state on a quantum computer. For both approaches, we show that the output state of the algorithm, after long enough time, is the desired equilibrium. We present a numerical analysis of one of these approaches for small systems. We show how equilibrium (time-)correlation functions can be efficiently estimated on a quantum computer, given a preparation of the equilibrium state. The quantum algorithms that we present are hard to simulate on a classical computer. This indicates that they could provide an exponential speedup over what can be achieved with a classical device.

  • Received 2 November 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.61.022301

©2000 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Barbara M. Terhal1 and David P. DiVincenzo2

  • 1ITF, Universiteit van Amsterdam,Valckenierstraat 65, 1018 XE Amsterdam, The NetherlandsCWI, Kruislaan 413, 1098 SJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 2IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 61, Iss. 2 — February 2000

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review A

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×