Acceleration of Variational Quantum Eigensovler via Qubit Efficient encoding results

The electronic structure problem is the key for material and drug designs. Solving it accurately using quantum mechanical methods on regular classical computers leads to algorithms whose execution time grows exponentially with the system size (e.g., number of electrons and nuclei in molecules). Emerging technology of quantum computing recently provided a new hope to solve this problem efficiently. Yet, the new quantum hardware requires new algorithms. Currently, one of the most practical algorithmic frameworks for solving the electronic structure problem on a quantum computer: is the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE). Two main challenges in the VQE framework are 1) quantum state preparation and 2) quantum measurement. In this proposal, we will address the first problem because it creates a computational bottleneck for VQE use in industrial applications related to developing better pharmaceutical compounds and catalysts.

Faculty Supervisor:

Artur Izmaylov

Student:

Partner:

National Cheng Kung University

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Quantum Science; Other

University:

University of Toronto

Program: