Quantum simulation of complex quantum processes on superconducting qubits

Applications are invited for a self-funded 3-year PhD.

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Technology, and will be supervised by Dr Jaewoo Joo, Dr Arseni Goussev and Dr Andrew Burbanks.

Recent advances in quantum technologies have made it possible to utilise fundamental quantum resources, such as superposition and entanglement, for performing faster computations beyond any classical supercomputer.

The first proof-of-principle demonstration of such a computational advantage – called quantum supremacy – has been shown recently by Google’s AI team. The overarching aim of this PhD project is to explore how quantum simulations can be used to solve complex optimisation problems that arise in the areas of physics related to the foundations of quantum theory and quantum chemistry.

Our quantum simulation process can be broken down into three stages. First, the simulation input (e.g., a trial function with initial conditions) is encoded as the vector state of an array of quantum bits (qubits). Second, the qubits evolve under the action of a uniquely designed sequence of quantum gates made of matrices. Third, measurements are performed on the quantum system to obtain relevant data statistically. The design of our quantum simulation algorithm will be analysed in simulating different physical processes in order to determine its efficiency.

The proposed PhD project will focus on the following two open problems: (i) quantum backflow and (ii) the ground state of a chemical compound. The former, (i), has to do with the purported existence of classically-forbidden (backward) probability flow in quantum systems. Such flow has not yet been observed experimentally, and even poses difficulties to numerical exploration (especially in high-dimensional configurations).

The goal is to develop a quantum simulation protocol that will make such exploration feasible. The latter, (ii), is concerned with devising a new quantum-classical simulation algorithm for computing the ground-state energy of chemically reactive systems. Entirely classical algorithms become intractable in analysing quantum processes inside complex molecules; the development of this hybrid method would be a welcome asset in modern computational chemistry.

Fees and funding

Visit the research subject area page for fees and funding information for this project.

Funding availability: Self-funded PhD students only. 

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the UK Government Doctoral Loan (UK and EU students only).

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.