Experts from CERN, DESY, IBM Quantum and over 30 other organisations have published a white paper outlining how quantum computing could benefit particle physics. The white paper identifies areas where quantum computing could help tackle challenges related to the Large Hadron Collider and other experiments worldwide. The paper was produced by a working group from the QT4HEP conference held at CERN. The group identified theoretical and experimental particle physics areas that could benefit from quantum computing. The lead authors, Alberto Di Meglio from CERN, Karl Jansen from DESY, and Ivano Tavernelli from IBM Quantum, highlighted the potential of quantum computing in tackling complex problems.
The working group, consisting of 46 people, has identified areas in both theoretical and experimental particle physics where quantum computing could provide significant benefits. The paper maps these areas to “problem formulations” in quantum computing, an important step in ensuring that the particle physics community is well-positioned to benefit from the potential of new quantum computers when they become available.
Alberto Di Meglio, head of the CERN Quantum Technology Initiative (CERN QTI), emphasised the importance of readiness and accurately identifying areas where quantum technologies could be most useful. He stated, “Quantum computing is very promising, but not every problem in particle physics is suited to this mode of computing.”
Theoretical Applications of Quantum Computing
In theoretical particle physics, the authors identified promising areas related to the evolution of quantum states, lattice-gauge theory, neutrino oscillations, and quantum field theories. The considered applications include quantum dynamics, hybrid quantum/classical algorithms for static problems in lattice gauge theory, optimisation, and classification.
The lead authors of the paper, Alberto Di Meglio from CERN QTI, Karl Jansen from DESY, and Ivano Tavernelli from IBM Quantum, stated that quantum computing could address problems in these areas that are very difficult or even impossible to tackle with classical methods. They believe that this could allow for the exploration of physical systems that are currently inaccessible.
Experimental Applications of Quantum Computing
On the experimental side, the authors identified areas related to jet and track reconstruction, extraction of rare signals, for-and-beyond Standard Model problems, parton showers, and experiment simulation. These areas were then mapped to classification, regression, optimisation, and generation problems.
The working group will now begin selecting specific use cases from the activities listed in the paper to be taken forward through CERN’s and DESY’s participation in the IBM Quantum Network and collaboration with IBM Quantum under its “100×100 Challenge”.
IBM’s 100×100 Challenge
IBM Quantum, a long-standing collaborator with CERN QTI and the Center for Quantum Technologies and Applications (CQTA) at DESY, has launched the 100×100 Challenge. This initiative will see IBM provide a tool capable of calculating unbiased observables of circuits with 100 qubits and depth-100 gate operations in 2024. This tool will provide an important testbed for taking forward promising selected use cases, both from particle physics and other research fields.
Future Work and Conferences
The working group will meet again at CERN for a special workshop on 16 and 17 November, immediately before the Quantum Techniques in Machine Learning Conference is held at the laboratory on 19-24 November. The white paper and the discussions around its creation will be important in shaping the work to be carried out in CERN QTI’s second phase, which was recently given support by the CERN Council.
Alberto Di Meglio, who also leads CERN’s new IT Innovation section, thanked all the experts who contributed to the paper, stating that it provides a thorough assessment of the potential of this new technology for their field. The full paper is available on ArXiv.
“Quantum computing is very promising, but not every problem in particle physics is suited to this mode of computing,”, “It’s important to ensure that we are ready and that we can accurately identify the areas where these technologies have the potential to be most useful for our community.”
Alberto Di Meglio, head of the CERN Quantum Technology Initiative (CERN QTI).
The lead authors of the paper CERN QTI’s Alberto Di Meglio, DESY’s Karl Jansen, and IBM Quantum’s Ivano Tavernelli, state that “with quantum computing we address problems in those areas that are very hard – or even impossible to tackle with classical methods. “In this way,” Jansen says, “we can explore the physical systems to which we still do not have access.”
“This white paper — and the many discussions we had as part of its creation — will be important in shaping the work to be carried out in CERN QTI’s second phase, which was recently given support by the CERN Council,” says Di Meglio, who also leads CERN’s new IT Innovation section. “I’d like to thank all of the world-leading experts who contributed to this paper, which provides a thorough assessment of the potential of this game-changing new technology for our field.”
Quick Summary
Experts from CERN, DESY, IBM Quantum and over 30 other organisations have published a white paper outlining how quantum-computing technologies could be applied to particle physics, potentially aiding computing challenges related to the Large Hadron Collider and other experiments worldwide. The paper identifies both theoretical and experimental areas in particle physics where quantum computing could be beneficial, and initiates a process of selecting specific use cases to be developed further through collaborations with IBM Quantum.
- Experts from CERN, DESY, IBM Quantum and over 30 other organisations have published a white paper on the potential applications of quantum computing in particle physics.
- The paper identifies areas in both theoretical and experimental particle physics where quantum computing could be beneficial. These include the evolution of quantum states, lattice-gauge theory, neutrino oscillations, and quantum field theories.
- The paper was produced by a working group established at the “QT4HEP” conference held at CERN. The group has been working for eight months to identify these areas.
- The lead authors of the paper are Alberto Di Meglio from CERN QTI, Karl Jansen from DESY, and Ivano Tavernelli from IBM Quantum.
- The working group will now select specific use cases to be developed further through CERN’s and DESY’s participation in the IBM Quantum Network and collaboration with IBM Quantum.
- IBM’s 100×100 Challenge will provide a tool capable of calculating unbiased observables of circuits with 100 qubits and depth-100 gate operations in 2024. This will be an important testbed for the selected use cases.
- The working group will meet again at CERN in November for a special workshop.