Nanotechnology researchers use quantum simulations to seek solutions for the builders of quantum computers
Quantum computers and their tremendous computing speed are a common topic in the media, and Finland published its own national quantum technology strategy this year.
Jussi Toppari, professor in experimental nanophysics, and Tero Heikkilä, professor in theoretical physics, at the University of Jyväskylä underline that, for now, traditional computers are actually faster than quantum computers in every respect.
“However, there is the promise of the speed of quantum computers,” says Jussi Toppari.
In the future, quantum computers may be able to solve problems that traditional computers cannot. For example, quantum simulations have great potential in the development of medicines and in materials research.”
Quantum simulation refers to a method in which systems that obey the laws of quantum mechanics, such as molecules or materials, are modelled using a quantum computer that obeys the same laws.
Important quantum technology clusters in Jyväskylä
This year, the University of Jyväskylä launched qSIME, a new profiling area that focuses on quantum simulation and that is funded by the Research Council of Finland. Professors Toppari and Heikkilä are both working in the research projects of the profiling area together with almost one hundred other researchers. The leader of the profiling area is Jussi Toppari, and his deputy is Teiko Heinosaari, a professor in quantum computing.
The researcher network focuses on exploring quantum simulations, software, and measurements.
The primary goal of the profiling area is to promote the use of quantum simulations in research.
At the same time, more expertise in quantum simulations will be created and professionals will be trained to bring their skills to companies and society at large.
Aalto University, the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, and the University of Jyväskylä are currently the three most significant quantum technology research centres in Finland,” says Professor Toppari.
“We are all also part of the Finnish Quantum Flagship, which brings together Finland’s state-of-the-art expertise in quantum technology from the fields of physics, computing, mathematics, nanotechnology and economics. Our goal in Jyväskylä is to be among the two most important research centres in the future.”
One step closer to this goal was taken in October, when the University of Jyväskylä received funding from the Research Council of Finland for the Centre of Excellence in Quantum Materials (QMAT), led by Professor Heikkilä.
Interest in quantum simulations for medicine development
Heikkilä says that one particularly interesting avenue for quantum simulations is to support the development of medicines. It would be ideally suited for quantum computers.
“Those working in medicine development want to understand the behaviour of molecules as accurately as possible, which requires accurate modelling of molecule structures,” says Heikkilä. “Their simulation on classical computers is either difficult or impossible because modelling requires a huge amount of memory.”
In the modelling of molecules, their atoms and electrons must be described using a wave function, and a combination of wave functions in a molecule consisting of a large number of atoms and electrons forms a highly complex entity.
“Let’s take a molecule with fifty electrons,” he says.
If only two possible states of each electron are included in the modelling, and even if their location in the three-dimensional space is ignored in order to save computer memory, we end up to more than one quadrillion possible configurations of different states.”
A classical computer must calculate these states one by one. In practice, precise modelling of a molecule with only a couple of dozen electrons is impossible with current computers. However, a quantum computer operates in the same way as molecules, following the principles of quantum mechanics, and can therefore naturally model quantum states.
Mere understanding of the matter is not sufficient; quantum algorithms are also needed to implement the simulations for complicated electron systems. These are also being studied intensively at the University of Jyväskylä. The primary target will not be medicine development, but the aim of the project is to create generic simulation algorithms that can target a wide range of application areas.
Tero Heikkilä believes that quantum computers will probably appear in the industrial development of medicines within ten to fifteen years.
Some people say that we could be using quantum computers effectively within a few years, but I think that is just marketing talk,” says Heikkilä.
“But of course I will be happy if I my estimation proves to be wrong.”
Revolutionising traditional computing
The development and research of quantum computers will also lead to drastic growth of computing power in traditional computers.
“For example, Google announced back in 2019 that they were able to perform simulations faster with a quantum computer than with a traditional computer,” says Tero Heikkilä. “In reality, however, this accelerated algorithm development, after which a classical computer succeeded in the same simulation faster than a quantum computer.”
This means that research in quantum computers may also lead to finding better algorithms for classical computers. In this case, we are talking about quantum-inspired algorithms.
“Our aim in Jyväskylä is to enhance this development, but nobody in the field knows yet if the simulation of materials in the future will be more efficient using quantum computers or quantum-inspired computers,” says Heikkilä.
A room-temperature superconductor would be a leap forward
Currently, one of the major goals of quantum research worldwide is to find a superconductor that works at room temperature, as this would enable a significant reduction in energy consumption.
“Superconductors operating at or near room temperature could significantly reduce energy consumption in places such as data centres, which consume enormous amounts of electricity,” Heikkilä says. They would help us build devices that work faster and with less heating, thus saving energy.”
Heikkilä explains that the development of superconductors would also help to develop fusion technology, for example, as the extremely hot plasma used to maintain fusion can be contained using strong magnetic fields produced by superconductors.
Although superconductors, fusion reactors, and the development of medicines may not seem like things that could revolutionise everyday life, research into quantum computers can have surprising effects on our lives.
Although quantum technology may not be directly visible in peoples’ everyday lives, it can help us solve energy-related issues or improve health with more effective medicines,” says Toppari.
“These effects can also be seen in daily life, for example, as more accurate weather forecasts. Currently, these forecasts are made using supercomputers, but in the future, quantum computers could revolutionise weather and climate modelling.”
Both Heikkilä and Toppari hope that quantum technology will have a positive impact on employment in Finland, and they emphasise that the University of Jyväskylä is working toward this goal.
qSIME - Quantum simulations and measurements for nanotechnology |
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