Researchers from the University of Trento and the University of Chicago have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the interactions between electrons and light, paving the way for the development of quantum technologies and the discovery of new states of matter. The study, published in Physics Review Letters, proposes a generalized approach to treat the interactions between electrons and photons, which could lead to the manipulation and synthesis of new quantum matter.
Led by Carlos Leonardo Benavides-Riveros from the University of Trento and David A. Mazziotti from the University of Chicago, the team developed a theoretical prescription that can predict the interactions among particles in a many-body quantum system on a quantum computer. They then generalized this approach to treat systems containing multiple types of quantum particles, including electrons, photons, and phonons.
The researchers demonstrated their approach by simulating a universal quantum algorithm on an IBM quantum computer with zero theoretical error. According to Benavides-Riveros, “What we did was to introduce other quantum particles beyond electrons such as particles of light, commonly known as photons…and by following our universal formulation of the problem we can understand the structure of its wave function and hence, its physical properties.”
Unveiling the Relationship Between Electrons and Photons
Understanding the interaction between quantum particles is crucial in the discovery of new molecules or materials that can be used for novel technological or medical applications. When molecules or chemical compounds interact with light, their physical properties can change substantially. This phenomenon has led to the development of a new field called polaritonic chemistry, which aims to trigger new chemical reactions using light as a catalyst.
The research work in this area progresses by making hypotheses that must be verified. However, when the object of study is a quantum system involving a multitude of different elements, such as electrons, photons, and phonons, the situation can become even more complicated. Accurately calculating the “wave function” of such a system, which contains the relevant physical information to make accurate predictions about the behavior of many quantum particles of more than one type, is a significant challenge.
A group of researchers from the University of Chicago, coordinated by Carlos Leonardo Benavides-Riveros and David A. Mazziotti, made a contribution to this topic by developing a generalized approach to treat the interactions between electrons and light. They started with an “ansatz,” a theoretical prescription, that can help predict the interactions among particles in a many-body quantum system on a quantum computer. Then they generalized this ansatz to treat systems that contain more than one type of quantum particle, such as systems that contain not only electrons but also photons and/or phonons.
The Novelty of This Study: A Single Approach for Many-Body Quantum Systems
The researchers have simulated a universal quantum algorithm on an IBM quantum computer with zero theoretical error. This is the novelty of this study: the development of a single approach that can be used to generate exponential prescriptions (“ansatzes”) for many-body quantum systems with more than one type of particle, which, when implemented on quantum devices, produces exact wave functions.
According to physicists, this solution also opens up new perspectives in the study of states of matter. Quantum systems, as molecules or solids, never contain only electrons. Many fascinating properties can be created or suppressed when light interacts with them. By introducing other quantum particles beyond electrons, such as photons, and following a universal formulation of the problem, researchers can understand the structure of its wave function and hence, its physical properties.
The Potential Applications of This Study
Because the ansatz is particularly suitable for quantum computers, this advance opens new possibilities for using quantum computers to model important molecular problems in light-matter interaction, such as those that occur in polaritonic chemistry. Controlling light-matter interactions provides a way to manipulate and synthesize new quantum matter.
The study’s authors, Samuel Warren and Yuchen Wang from the University of Chicago, along with coordinators Carlos Leonardo Benavides-Riveros from the University of Trento and David A. Mazziotti from the University of Chicago, have made a significant contribution to the field of quantum physics. Their research has the potential to lead to the development of new quantum technologies and the discovery of new states of matter.
The Future of Quantum Research
The study’s findings highlight the importance of understanding the interactions between electrons and light in the development of new quantum technologies. As researchers continue to explore the properties of quantum systems, they may uncover new ways to manipulate and control these interactions, leading to breakthroughs in fields such as polaritonic chemistry.
Carlos Leonardo Benavides-Riveros, a researcher with expertise in understanding and modeling quantum many-body systems, aims to improve existing techniques or develop new ones for the study of complex quantum systems. His research interests lie at the intersection of quantum physics and chemistry, and his work has the potential to lead to significant advances in our understanding of quantum systems.
The study “Exact Ansatz of Fermion-Boson Systems for a Quantum Device” was published in Physics Review Letters and is available at https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.080202.
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