Researchers Mapping the Future of Quantum Computing in Particle Physics

Insider Summary

• The researchers published a landmark white paper identifying activities in particle physics where quantum computing technologies can be applied.
• The experts who wrote the paper came from CERN, DESY, IBM Quantum and more than 30 other organizations.
• The areas identified relate to theoretical and experimental particle physics.
• Image: First International Conference on Quantum Technologies for High Energy Physics (QT4HEP) held at CERN.

PRESS RELEASE — Researchers recently published a groundbreaking white paper identifying activities in particle physics where emerging quantum computing technologies can be applied. The paper, authored by experts from CERN, DESY, IBM Quantum and more than 30 other organizations, is now available at ArXiv.

With quantum computing technologies rapidly improving, this paper defines where they can be applied in particle physics to help address the computational challenges associated not only with the Large Hadron Collider’s ambitious upgrade program, but also for other colliders and low-energy experiments around the world. .

This paper was produced by a working group formed at the first “QT4HEP” conference, which was held at CERN last November. Over the past eight months, the 46 members of this working group have been working hard to identify areas where quantum computing technology could provide significant advantages.

The areas identified relate to theoretical and experimental particle physics. The paper then maps these areas to “problem formulations” in quantum computing. This is an important step in ensuring that the particle physics community is well positioned to harness the enormous potential of new quantum computer breakthroughs when they come online.

“Quantum computing has great promise, but not all problems in particle physics fit into this mode of computing,” said Alberto Di Meglio, head of CERN Quantum Technology Initiative (CERN QTI) and one of the paper’s lead authors, co DESYKarl Jansen and IBM Quantumfrom Ivano Tavernelli. “It’s important to ensure that we are prepared and that we can accurately identify the areas where this technology has the potential to be most useful to our community.”

As far as theoretical particle physics is concerned, the authors have identified promising fields related to the evolution of quantum states, lattice gauge theory, neutrino oscillations, and quantum field theory in general. Applications considered include quantum dynamics, hybrid quantum/classical algorithms for static problems in lattice metering theory, optimization and classification.

On the experimental side, the authors have identified areas related to jet and trajectory reconstruction, rare signal extraction, Standard Model for-and-beyond problems, parton rain, and experimental simulation. These are then mapped to classification, regression, optimization and generation problems.

Members of the working group behind this paper will now begin the process of selecting specific use cases from the activities listed in this paper to continue through CERN and DESY’s participation in IBM Quantum Network, and through collaboration with IBM Quantum, under “100×100 Challenge”. IBM Quantum is a longtime collaborator of CERN QTI and the Center for Quantum Technologies and Applications (CQTA) at DESY.

IBM’s 100×100 Challenge will see companies provide tools capable of computing unbiased observable circuits with 100 qubits and 100-depth gate operations by 2024. It will offer an important testbed for advancing selected promising use cases from particle physics and more research field.

The working group will meet again at CERN for a special workshop on November 16 and 17, immediately before that Quantum Engineering Conference in Machine Learning held at the Laboratory from November 19 to 24.