Project description
Towards the first practical quantum computer for studying fermions
Fermionic systems are important in physics and chemistry but are difficult to study owing to the complex interactions of fermions as well as massive data requirements. Calculations using classical methods often fail because of cancellations (sign problem), while traditional quantum computers need complex algorithms to process fermions. The ERC-funded FOrbQ project will address these challenges by creating the first quantum processor with digital gates. By using fermionic neutral atoms, researchers will directly control fermion interactions, eliminating the need for complex mappings. Programmable tunnelling gates, tuneable collisions and fast cycles will enable simulating strongly correlated Fermi systems efficiently. Combining ultracold atom technology with quantum computing, FOrbQ is set to build the first practical fermionic quantum computer.
Objective
Fermions are ubiquitous in nature, and the study of fermionic systems with strong correlations lies at the centre of many fundamental and relevant problems in modern physics and chemistry. Any microscopic simulation not only needs to treat exponentially large Hilbert spaces but also has to accurately represent the fermionic exchange statistics. However, classical numerical methods suffer from a well-known sign problem, and conventional gate-based quantum computers employ distinguishable spin-1/2 degrees of freedom, which requires a significant algorithmic overhead for handling fermionic systems.
FOrbQ will be the first quantum processor with digital gates that addresses the anticommutation on the hardware level by using fermionic neutral atoms. Drawing from my ten-year experience with optical superlattices and quantum gas microscopes, I will develop stable, programmable tunnelling and exchange gates in an optical lattice with full local control over the tunnelling rates. With tunable collisions of atoms and a rapid cycle time, FOrbQ introduces a digital bottom-up approach for the simulation of strongly correlated Fermi systems. By directly controlling the coupling between fermionic spin orbitals, FOrbQ will implement local 2D Hamiltonians efficiently without the cumbersome fermion-to-spin qubit mapping. I will apply the novel hardware to open questions of hole pairing and exotic superconductivity in the Hubbard model, as well as perform the first simulations of molecules. Inherently, the atoms implement particle-number conservation and spin symmetries, making FOrbQ a powerful platform for electron simulations from multi-band Hubbard models to quantum chemistry.
FOrbQ combines well-tested robust technologies of ultracold atoms with concepts from quantum computing to create the first fermionic quantum computer and outline a clear path towards a practical quantum advantage for the simulation of electrons.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics fermions
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware quantum computers
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics superconductivity
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) ERC-2024-STG
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G1 1XQ Glasgow
United Kingdom
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