Simulating quantum mechanics on a quantum computer

Abstract

Algorithms are described for efficiently simulating quantum mechanical systems on quantum computers. A class of algorithms for simulating the Schrodinger equation for interacting many-body systems are presented in some detail. These algorithms would make it possible to simulate nonrelativistic quantum systems on a quantum computer with an exponential speedup compared to simulations on classical computers. Issues involved in simulating relativistic systems of Dirac and gauge particles are discussed.Comment: 22 pages LaTeX; Expanded version of a talk given by WT at the PhysComp '96 conference, BU, Boston MA, November 1996. Minor corrections made, references adde