Physicists use quantum simulation tools to study, understand exotic state of matter


Scientists have shown that simulations employing quantum computing can make it possible to observe a unique state of matter that has been removed from its usual equilibrium. The discovery of such unique states of matter may one day advance the fields of precision measurement science and quick, potent quantum information storage.

Thomas Iadecola carefully explained digital quantum simulation, Floquet systems, and symmetry-protected topological phases as he worked his way through the title of the most recent research publication that contains his theoretical and analytical work.

His explanations of nonequilibrium systems, time crystals, 2T periodicity, and the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics followed.

Iadecola's area of quantum condensed matter physics, which examines how groupings of atoms and subatomic particles give rise to states of matter, may be paradoxical and need explanations at nearly every step.

The bottom line is that scientists are learning more and more about exotic matter, "an uncharted universe where matter may adopt unusual properties," as the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences put it while awarding the 2016 physics prize to David Thouless, Duncan Haldane, and Michael Kosterlitz.

Iadecola, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Iowa State University, and a scientist from Ames National Laboratory co-authored a new paper that was published in the journal Nature. The paper describes simulations using quantum computing that allowed observation of a distinct state of matter removed from its usual equilibrium.

Dong-Ling Deng of Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, is the paper's co-author. In 2017 and 2018 as postdoctoral researchers at the University of Maryland, Deng and Iadecola collaborated on many projects.

In a description of their study, the authors stated that their work "paves the way to explore novel non-equilibrium phases of matter."

Those brand-new states of matter may one day offer special qualities for cutting-edge technology that will benefit us all. Precision measurement science and information storage are two potential uses for quantum information processing.

Iadecola served as a supporting scientist on this research and offered data analysis and theoretical work. As an illustration, he stated that "in a joint endeavor like this, my responsibility is to assist identify the problems the experimentalists need to solve."

How a quantum computing platform may be utilized to explore and comprehend unusual states of matter is the main subject they addressed in this research.

The researchers have a very excellent digital quantum simulation platform, as this study shows, according to Iadecola. "This platform can also be used to solve other intriguing quantum many-body physics problems."

The study complements the work Iadecola will begin this summer as part of a $470,000, five-year CAREER award from the National Science Foundation.

The award will fund theoretical studies on many-particle quantum systems, including investigations into the preservation of fragile quantum states. The states might be exploited for quantum computing, a novel technique that employs quantum dynamics to process and store information, thanks to their preservation.

In order to "expand the quantum talent pipeline," the money will also assist Iadecola in creating an interdisciplinary program in quantum computing at Iowa State.

Although the initiative is primarily focused on theory and teaching, it will be conducted "with an eye towards developing quantum technologies," according to a synopsis.

Iadecola stated, "We're thinking about new occurrences. These phenomena might be realized on current quantum hardware, which would pave the way for these applications in quantum information processing.

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Materials provided by Iowa State University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
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