A bird's eye view of quantum computers

Quantum computers are discussed in the general framework of computation, the laws of physics and the foundations of quantum mechanics.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figur

Quantum Computing in the NISQ era and beyond

Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) technology will be available in the near future. Quantum computers with 50-100 qubits may be able to perform tasks which surpass the capabilities of today's classical digital computers, but noise in quantum gates will limit the size of quantum circuits that can be executed reliably. NISQ devices will be useful tools for exploring many-body quantum physics, and may have other useful applications, but the 100-qubit quantum computer will not change the world right away --- we should regard it as a significant step toward the more powerful quantum technologies of the future. Quantum technologists should continue to strive for more accurate quantum gates and, eventually, fully fault-tolerant quantum computing.Comment: 20 pages. Based on a Keynote Address at Quantum Computing for Business, 5 December 2017. (v3) Formatted for publication in Quantum, minor revision

Collective Modes in Light Nuclei from First Principles

Results for ab initio no-core shell model calculations in a symmetry-adapted SU(3)-based coupling scheme demonstrate that collective modes in light nuclei emerge from first principles. The low-lying states of 6Li, 8Be, and 6He are shown to exhibit orderly patterns that favor spatial configurations with strong quadrupole deformation and complementary low intrinsic spin values, a picture that is consistent with the nuclear symplectic model. The results also suggest a pragmatic path forward to accommodate deformation-driven collective features in ab initio analyses when they dominate the nuclear landscape.Comment: 5 pages 3 figures, accepted to Physical Review Letter

Lattice Gauge Theories at the Energy Frontier

This White Paper has been prepared as a planning document for the Division of High Energy Physics of the U. S. Department of Energy. Recent progress in lattice-based studies of physics beyond the standard model is summarized, and major current goals of USQCD research in this area are presented. Challenges and opportunities associated with the recently discovered 126 GeV Higgs-like particle are highlighted. Computational resources needed for reaching important goals are described. The document was finalized on February 11, 2013 with references that are not aimed to be complete, or account for an accurate historical record of the field.Comment: Submitted for the Snowmass 2013 e-Proceedings with 44 pages, 10 figures, and 3 table