Raphael Pooser, ORNL
Min Kao Engineering Bldg., Room 525
Tuesday, February 4
11:10 – 12:25
Quantum computers can now run small algorithms and perform proof of principle demonstration calculations with simple scientific applications. These noisy devices in the pre-fault-tolerant era provide testbeds for the development of scalable algorithms and programming techniques, but their extensive noise limits their utility as general purpose devices. We will discuss quantum computing in this context, first introducing the idealized, theoretical models of operation, followed by practical methods of working with real-world devices. In particular, we will discuss how to deal with noise through characterization. Quantum computers, which are often thought of as digital devices, are actually noisy analog physics experiments, with sources of systematic and statistical errors. By characterizing the systematic error associated with a given calculation (or circuit), the accuracy of the final data can be adjusted for accuracy when systematics are accounted for, as can be done with any experimental apparatus.
Dr. Pooser is an expert in continuous variable quantum optics. He has developed a program based on quantum sensing over a number of years at ORNL, followed by fledgling efforts in quantum computing. He has been working to demonstrate that continuous variable quantum optics, quantum noise reduction in particular, has important uses in the quantum information field. He is also interested in highlight the practicality of these systems, demonstrating their ease of use and broad applicability. Dr. Pooser heads up work in both experimental and theoretical quantum computing research. His goal is to show that quantum control and error correction required in sensing applications are directly applicable to quantum computing efforts. The deterministic nature of these systems is a strong draw and motivation that will eventually lead to practical applications. He has followed this model of quantum sensors as a showcase for the technologies that will enable quantum computing to good results.