In this episode of The New Quantum Era podcast, your host Sebastian Hassinger interviews two of the field's most well-known figures, John Preskill and Rob Schoelkopf, about the transition of quantum computing into a new phase that John is calling "megaquop," which stands for "a million quantum operations." Our conversation delves into what this new phase entails, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and the innovative approaches being explored to make quantum computing perform better and become more useful. This episode was made with the kind support of the American Physical Society and Quantum Circuits, Inc. Here’s what you can expect from this insightful discussion:

• Introduction of the Megaquop Era: John explains the transition from the NISQ era to the megaquop era, emphasizing the need for quantum error correction and the goal of achieving computations with around a million operations.
• Quantum Error Correction: Both John and Rob discuss the importance of quantum error correction, the challenges involved, and the innovative approaches being taken, such as dual rail and cat qubits.
• Superconducting Qubits and Dual Rail Approach: Rob shares insights into Quantum Circuits' work on dual rail superconducting qubits, which aim to make error correction more efficient by detecting erasure errors.
• Scientific and Practical Implications: The conversation touches on the scientific value of current quantum devices and the potential applications and discoveries that could emerge from the megaquop era.
• Future Directions and Challenges: The discussion also covers the future of quantum computing, including the need for better connectivity and the challenges of scaling up quantum devices.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Beyond NISQ: The Megaquop Machine: John Preskill's paper adapting his keynote from Q2B Silicon Valley 2024
• Quantum Circuits, Inc.: Rob's company, which is working on dual rail superconducting qubits.

In this episode of The New Quantum Era podcast, host Sebastian Hassinger speaks with Steve Girvin, professor of physics at Yale University, about quantum memory - a critical but often overlooked component of quantum computing architecture. This episode was created with support from the American Physical Society and Quantum Circuits, Inc.

Episode Highlights

• Introduction to Quantum Memory: Steve explains that quantum memory is essential for quantum computers, similar to how RAM functions in classical computers. It serves as intermediate storage while the CPU works on other data.
• Coherence Challenges: Quantum bits (qubits) struggle to faithfully hold information for extended periods. Quantum memory faces both bit flips (like classical computers) and phase flips (unique to quantum systems).
• The Fundamental Theorem: Steve notes there’s “no such thing as too much coherence” in quantum computing - longer coherence times are always beneficial.
• Quantum Random Access Memory (QRAM): Unlike classical RAM, QRAM can handle quantum superpositions, allowing it to process multiple addresses simultaneously and create entangled states of addresses and their associated data.
• QRAM Applications: Quantum memory enables state preparation, construction of oracles, and processing of big data in quantum algorithms for machine learning and linear algebra.
• Tree Architecture: QRAM is structured like an upside-down binary tree with routers at each node. The “bucket brigade” approach guides quantum bits through the tree to retrieve data.
• Error Resilience: Surprisingly, the error situation in QRAM is less catastrophic than initially feared. With a million leaf nodes and 0.1% error rate per component, only about 1,000 errors would occur, but the shallow circuit depth (only requiring n hops for n address bits) makes the system more resilient.
• Dual-Rail Approach: Recent work by Danny Weiss demonstrates using dual resonator (dual-rail) qubits where a microwave photon exists in superposition between two boxes, achieving 99.9% fidelity for each hop in the tree.
• Historical Context: Steve draws parallels to early classical computing memory systems developed by von Neumann at Princeton’s IAS, including mercury delay line memory and early fault tolerance concepts.
• Future Outlook: While building quantum memory presents significant challenges, Steve remains optimistic about progress, noting that improving base qubit quality first and then scaling is their preferred approach.

Key Concepts

• Quantum Memory: Storage for quantum information that maintains coherence
• QRAM (Quantum Random Access Memory): Architecture that allows quantum superpositions of addresses to access corresponding data
• Coherence Time: How long a qubit can maintain its quantum state
• Bucket Brigade: Method for routing quantum information through a tree structure
• Dual-Rail Qubits: Encoding quantum information in the presence of a photon in one of two resonators

References

• Weiss, D.K., Puri, S., Girvin, S.M. (2024). “Quantum random access memory architectures using superconducting cavities.” arXiv:2310.08288
• Xu, S., Hann, C.T., Foxman, B., Girvin, S.M., Ding, Y. (2023). “Systems Architecture for Quantum Random Access Memory.” arXiv:2306.03242
• Brock, B., et al. (2024). “Quantum Error Correction of Qudits Beyond Break-even.” arXiv:2409.15065

In this episode of The New Quantum Era, host Sebastian Hassinger interviews Professor Will Oliver from MIT about the advancements in fluxonium qubits. The discussion delves into the unique features of fluxonium qubits compared to traditional transmon qubits, highlighting their potential for high fidelity operations and scalability. Oliver shares insights from recent experiments at MIT, where his team achieved nearly five nines fidelity in single-qubit gates, and discusses how these qubits could be scaled up for larger quantum computing architectures through innovative control systems.

Major Points Covered:

• Fluxonium vs. Transmon Qubits: Fluxonium qubits have a double-well potential, unlike the harmonic oscillator-like potential of transmon qubits. This design allows for high anharmonicity, which is beneficial for reducing leakage to higher energy levels during operations.
• High Fidelity Operations: The MIT team achieved high fidelity in both single and two-qubit gates using fluxonium qubits. For single qubits, they reached nearly five nines fidelity, and for two-qubit gates, they achieved fidelities around 99.92%.
• Scalability and Cost Reduction: Fluxonium qubits operate at lower frequencies, which could enable the integration of control electronics at cryogenic temperatures, reducing costs and increasing scalability. This approach is being developed by Atlantic Quantum, a startup spun out of Oliver's research group
• Future Directions: The goal is to implement surface code error correction with fluxonium qubits, which could lead to efficient production of logical qubits due to their high fidelity operations

This episode brought to you with support from APS and from Quantum Machines, a big thank you to both organizations!

Professor Zoe Holmes from EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland, discusses her work on quantum imaginary time evolution and variational techniques for near-term quantum computers. With a background from Imperial College London and Oxford, Holmes explores the limits of what can be achieved with NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) devices.

Key topics covered:

• Quantum Imaginary Time Evolution (QITE) as a cooling-inspired algorithm for finding ground states
• Comparison of QITE to Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) approaches
• Challenges in variational methods, including barren plateaus and expressivity concerns
• Trade-offs between circuit depth, fidelity, and practical implementation on current hardware
• Potential for scientific value from NISQ-era devices in physics and chemistry applications
• The interplay between classical and quantum methods in advancing our understanding of quantum systems

Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era, where we delve into the cutting-edge developments in quantum computing. with your host, Sebastian Hassinger. Today, we have a unique episode featuring representatives from two companies collaborating on groundbreaking quantum algorithms and hardware. Joining us are Sean Weinberg, Director of Quantum Applications at Quantum Circuits Incorporated, and Guillermo Garcia Perez, Chief Science Officer and co-founder at Algorithmiq. Together, they discuss their partnership and the innovative work they are doing to advance quantum computing applications, particularly in the field of chemistry and pharmaceuticals.

Key Highlights:

• Introduction of New Podcast Format: Sebastian explains the new format of the podcast and introduces the guests, Sean Weinberg from Quantum Circuits Inc. and Guillermo Garcia Perez from Algorithmic.
• Collaboration Overview: Guillermo discusses the partnership between Quantum Circuits Inc. and Algorithmiq, focusing on how Quantum Circuits Inc.'s dual-rail qubits with built-in error detection enhance Algorithmiq’s quantum algorithms.
• Innovative Algorithms: Guillermo elaborates on their novel approach to ground state simulations using tensor network methods and informationally complete measurements, which improve the accuracy and efficiency of quantum computations.
• Hardware Insights: Sean provides insights into Quantum Circuits Inc.'s Seeker device, an eight-qubit system that flags 90% of errors, and discusses the future scalability and potential for error correction.
• Future Directions: Both guests talk about the potential for larger-scale devices and the importance of collaboration between hardware and software companies to advance the field of quantum computing.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Quantum Circuits Inc.
• Algorithmiq
• QCI’s forthcoming quantum computing device, Aqumen Seeker
• Tensor Network Error Mitigation: A method used by Algorithmic to improve the accuracy of quantum computations.

Tune in to hear about the exciting advancements in quantum computing and how these two companies are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in this new quantum era, and if you like what you hear, check out www.newquantumera.com, where you'll find our full archive of episodes and a preview of the book I'm writing for O'Reilly Media, The New Quantum Era.

Welcome back to The New Quantum Era, a podcast by Sebastian Hassinger and Kevin Rowney. After a brief hiatus, we’re excited to bring you a fascinating conversation with a true pioneer in the field of quantum computing, Alán Aspuru-Guzik. Alán is a professor at the University of Toronto and a leading figure in quantum computing, known for his foundational work on the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE). In this episode, we delve into the evolution of VQE and explore Alán’s latest groundbreaking work on the Generative Quantum Eigensolver (GQE). Expect to hear about the intersection of quantum computing and machine learning, and how these advancements could shape the future of the field.

Key Highlights:

• Origins of VQE: Alan discusses the development of the Variational Quantum Eigensolver, a technique that combines classical and quantum computing to approximate the ground state of chemical systems. This method was a significant step forward in efforts to make practical use of noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices.
• Challenges and Innovations: The conversation touches on the challenges of variational algorithms, such as the barren plateau problem, and how Alán’s group has been working on innovative solutions to overcome these hurdles.
• Introduction to GQE: Alán introduces the Generative Quantum Eigensolver, a new approach that leverages generative models like transformers to optimize quantum circuits without relying on quantum gradients. This method aims to make quantum computing more efficient and practical.
• Future of Quantum Computing: The discussion explores the potential future workflows in quantum computing, where hybrid architectures combining classical and quantum computing will be essential. Alán shares his vision of how GQE could be foundational in this new era.
• Broader Applications: Beyond chemistry, the GQE technique has potential applications in quantum machine learning and other variational algorithms, making it a versatile tool in the quantum computing toolkit.

Mentioned in this episode:

• A variational eigenvalue solver on a quantum processor: Foundational paper on VQE technique.
• The generative quantum Eigensolver (GQE) and its application for ground state search: Alan’s latest paper on GQE and its applications.
• Tequila Framework: An extensible software framework for VQE experiments.
• The Meta-Variational Quantum Eigensolver (Meta-VQE): Learning energy profiles of parameterized Hamiltonians for quantum simulation: A paper on learning across potential energy surfaces.
• Quantum autoencoders for efficient compression of quantum data: Early work on quantum autoencoders for molecular design.
• Beyond NISQ: The Megaquop Machine: John Preskill’s slides from Q2B SV 2024. I think John is great, but "megaquop" is very "fetch."
• Myths around quantum computation before full fault tolerance: what no-go theorems rule out and what they don't: A paper discussing myths and truths about quantum computing.

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes and deep dives into the world of quantum computing. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, review, and share it on your preferred social media platforms. Thank you for listening!

Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era, hosted by Sebastian Hassinger and Kevin Rowney. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Robert Schoelkopf, Sterling Professor of Applied Physics at Yale, Director of the Yale Quantum Institute, and CTO and co-founder at Quantum Circuits, Inc. Dr. Schoelkopf is a pioneering figure in the field of quantum computing, particularly known for his contributions to the development of the transmon qubit architecture. In this episode, we delve into the history and future of quantum computing, focusing on the latest advancements in error correction and the innovative dual rail qubit architecture.

Key Highlights:

• Historical Context and Contributions: Dr. Schoelkopf discusses the early days of quantum computing at Yale, including the development of the transmon qubit architecture, which has been foundational for superconducting qubits.
• Introduction to Dual Rail Qubits: Explanation of the dual rail qubit architecture, which promises significant improvements in error detection and correction, potentially reducing the overhead required for fault-tolerant quantum computing.
• Error Correction Strategies: Insights into how the dual rail qubit architecture simplifies the detection and correction of errors, making quantum error correction more efficient and scalable.
• Modular Approach to Quantum Computing: Discussion on the modular design of quantum systems, which allows for easier scaling and maintenance, and the potential for interconnecting quantum modules via microwave photons.
• Future Prospects and Real-World Applications: Dr. Schoelkopf shares his vision for the future of quantum computing, including the commercial deployment of Quantum Circuits, Inc's new quantum devices and the ongoing collaboration between theoretical and experimental approaches to advance the field.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Yale Quantum Institute
• Quantum Circuits Inc. announces Aqumen Seeker

Join us as we explore these groundbreaking advancements and their implications for the future of quantum computing.

In this episode of The New Quantum Era, Sebastian talks with Martin Schultz, Professor at TU Munich and board member of the Leibniz Supercomputing Center (LRZ) about the critical need to integrate quantum computers with classical supercomputing resources to build practical quantum solutions. They discuss the Munich Quantum Valley initiative, focusing on the challenges and advancements in merging quantum and classical computing.

Main Topics Discussed:

• The Genesis of Munich Quantum Valley: The Munich Quantum Valley is a collaborative project funded by the Bavarian government to advance quantum research and development. The project quickly realized the need for software infrastructure to bridge the gap between quantum hardware and real-world applications.
• Building a Hybrid Quantum-Classical Computing Infrastructure: LRZ is developing a software stack and web portal to streamline the interaction between their HPC system and various quantum computers, including superconducting and ion trap systems. This approach enables researchers to leverage the strengths of both classical and quantum computing resources seamlessly.
• Hierarchical Scheduling for Efficient Resource Allocation: LRZ is designing a multi-tiered scheduling system to optimize resource allocation in the hybrid environment. This system considers factors like job requirements, resource availability, and the specific characteristics of different quantum computing technologies to ensure efficient execution of quantum workloads.
• Open-Source Collaboration and Standardization: LRZ aims to make its software stack open-source, recognizing the importance of collaboration and standardization in the quantum computing community. They are actively working with vendors to define standard interfaces for integrating quantum computers with HPC systems.
• Addressing the Unknown in Quantum Computing: The field of quantum computing is evolving rapidly, and LRZ acknowledges the need for adaptable solutions. Their architectural design prioritizes flexibility, allowing for future pivots and the incorporation of new quantum computing models and intermediate representations as they emerge.

Munich Quantum Valley
IEEE Quantum

Welcome to The New Quantum Era, a podcast hosted by Sebastian Hassinger and Kevin Rowney. In this episode, we have an insightful conversation with Dr. Toby Cubitt, a pioneer in quantum computing, a professor at UCL, and a co-founder of Phasecraft. Dr. Cubitt shares his deep understanding of the current state of quantum computing, the challenges it faces, and the promising future it holds. He also discusses the unique approach Phasecraft is taking to bridge the gap between theoretical algorithms and practical, commercially viable applications on near-term quantum hardware.

Key Highlights:

• The Dual Focus of Phasecraft: Dr. Cubitt explains how Phasecraft is dedicated to algorithms and applications, avoiding traditional consultancy to drive technology forward through deep partnerships and collaborative development.
• Realistic Perspective on Quantum Computing: Despite the hype cycles, Dr. Cubitt maintains a consistent, cautiously optimistic outlook on the progress toward quantum advantage, emphasizing the complexity and long-term nature of the field.
• Commercial Viability and Algorithm Development: The discussion covers Phasecraft’s strategic focus on material science and chemistry simulations as early applications of quantum computing, leveraging the unique strengths of quantum algorithms to tackle real-world problems.
• Innovative Algorithmic Approaches: Dr. Cubitt details Phasecraft’s advancements in quantum algorithms, including new methods for time dynamics simulation and hybrid quantum-classical algorithms like Quantum enhanced DFT, which combine classical and quantum computing strengths.
• Future Milestones: The conversation touches on the anticipated breakthroughs in the next few years, aiming for quantum advantage and the significant implications for both scientific research and commercial applications.

Papers Mentioned in this episode:

• Observing ground-state properties of the Fermi-Hubbard model using a scalable algorithm on a quantum computer
• Towards near-term quantum simulation of materials
• Enhancing density functional theory using the variational quantum eigensolver
• Dissipative ground state preparation and the Dissipative Quantum Eigensolver

Other sites:

• Phasecraft
• Dr. Toby Cubitt’s personal site

In this episode of The New Quantum Era podcast, hosts Sebastian Hassinger and Kevin Roney interview Jessica Pointing, a PhD student at Oxford studying quantum machine learning.

Classical Machine Learning Context

• Deep learning has made significant progress, as evidenced by the rapid adoption of ChatGPT
• Neural networks have a bias towards simple functions, which enables them to generalize well on unseen data despite being highly expressive
• This “simplicity bias” may explain the success of deep learning, defying the traditional bias-variance tradeoff

Quantum Neural Networks (QNNs)

• QNNs are inspired by classical neural networks but have some key differences
• The encoding method used to input classical data into a QNN significantly impacts its inductive bias
• Basic encoding methods like basis encoding result in a QNN with no useful bias, essentially making it a random learner
• Amplitude encoding can introduce a simplicity bias in QNNs, but at the cost of reduced expressivity
  • Amplitude encoding cannot express certain basic functions like XOR/parity
• There appears to be a tradeoff between having a good inductive bias and having high expressivity in current QNN frameworks

Implications and Future Directions

• Current QNN frameworks are unlikely to serve as general purpose learning algorithms that outperform classical neural networks
• Future research could explore:
  • Discovering new encoding methods that achieve both good inductive bias and high expressivity
  • Identifying specific high-value use cases and tailoring QNNs to those problems
  • Developing entirely new QNN architectures and strategies
• Evaluating quantum advantage claims requires scrutiny, as current empirical results often rely on comparisons to weak classical baselines or very small-scale experiments

In summary, this insightful interview with Jessica Pointing highlights the current challenges and open questions in quantum machine learning, providing a framework for critically evaluating progress in the field. While the path to quantum advantage in machine learning remains uncertain, ongoing research continues to expand our understanding of the possibilities and limitations of QNNs.

Paper cited in the episode:
Do Quantum Neural Networks have Simplicity Bias?

Sebastian is joined by Susanne Yelin, Professor of Physics in Residence at Harvard University and the University of Connecticut.
Susanne's Background:

• Fellow at the American Physical Society and Optica (formerly the American Optics Society)
• Background in theoretical AMO (Atomic, Molecular, and Optical) physics and quantum optics
• Transition to quantum machine learning and quantum computing applications

Quantum Machine Learning Challenges

• Limited to simulating small systems (6-10 qubits) due to lack of working quantum computers
• Barren plateau problem: the more quantum and entangled the system, the worse the problem
• Moved towards analog systems and away from universal quantum computers

Quantum Reservoir Computing

• Subclass of recurrent neural networks where connections between nodes are fixed
• Learning occurs through a filter function on the outputs
• Suitable for analog quantum systems like ensembles of atoms with interactions
• Advantages: redundancy in learning, quantum effects (interference, non-commuting bases, true randomness)
• Potential for fault tolerance and automatic error correction

Quantum Chemistry Application

• Goal: leverage classical chemistry knowledge and identify problems hard for classical computers
• Collaboration with quantum chemists Anna Krylov (USC) and Martin Head-Gordon (UC Berkeley)
• Focused on effective input-output between classical and quantum computers
• Simulating a biochemical catalyst molecule with high spin correlation using a combination of analog time evolution and logical gates
• Demonstrating higher fidelity simulation at low energy scales compared to classical methods

Future Directions

• Exploring fault-tolerant and robust approaches as an alternative to full error correction
• Optimizing pulses tailored for specific quantum chemistry calculations
• Investigating dynamics of chemical reactions
• Calculating potential energy surfaces for molecules
• Implementing multi-qubit analog ideas on the Rydberg atom array machine at Harvard
• Dr. Yelin's work combines the strengths of analog quantum systems and avoids some limitations of purely digital approaches, aiming to advance quantum chemistry simulations beyond current classical capabilities.

Welcome back to The New Quantum Era, the podcast where we explore the cutting-edge developments in quantum computing. In today’s episode, hosts Sebastian Hassinger and Kevin Rowe are joined by Dr. Julien Camirand Lemyre, the CEO and co-founder of Nord Quantique. Nord Quantique is a startup spun out from the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada, and is making significant strides in the field of quantum error correction using innovative superconducting qubit designs. In this conversation, Dr. Camirand Lemyre shares insights into their groundbreaking research and the innovative approaches they are taking to improve quantum computing systems.

Listeners can expect to learn about:

• Dr. Camirand Lemyre’s journey into quantum computing and the founding of Nord Quantique.
• The unique approach Nord Quantique is taking with Bosonic code qubits and how they differ from traditional fermionic qubits.
• The recent research paper by Nord Quantique that demonstrates autonomous quantum error correction, a significant step forward in the field.
• The potential impact of these advancements on reducing the overhead of error correction in quantum systems.
• Future directions and next steps for Nord Quantique, including further optimization and development of their quantum technology.

Highlights:

• Julien Camirand Lemyre’s Background: Dr. Camirand Lemyre shares his academic journey and how it led to the founding of Nord Quantique.
• Bosonic Qubits: An exploration of how Nord Quantique is leveraging Bosonic qubits for better quantum error correction.
• Autonomous Quantum Error Correction: Discussion on the recent research paper and its implications for the field of quantum computing.
• Technological Innovations: Insights into the specific technological advancements and controls Nord Quantique is developing.
• Future Plans: Dr. Camirand Lemyre shares what’s next for Nord Quantique and their ongoing research efforts.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Nord Quantique: Website
• University of Sherbrooke: Website
• Institut Quantique: Website
• Q-Ctrl: Website

Tune in to hear about these exciting developments and what they mean for the future of quantum computing!

Welcome to another episode of The New Quantum Era! Today, we have a fascinating conversation with Professor Jens Eisert, a veteran in the field of quantum information science. Jens takes us through his journey from his PhD days, delving into the role of entanglement in quantum computing and communication, to leading a team that bridges theoretical and practical aspects of quantum technology. In this episode, we explore the fine line between classical and quantum worlds, the potential and limitations of near-term quantum devices, and the role of theoretical frameworks in advancing quantum technologies. Here are some key highlights from our conversation:

• Theoretical Limits and Practical Applications: Jens discusses his team's work on establishing theoretical limits and guidelines for what can be achieved with current quantum hardware, focusing on both long-term and near-term goals.
• Benchmarking and Certification: The importance of randomized benchmarking techniques is highlighted, including their role in diagnosing and improving quantum devices. Jens elaborates on how these techniques can provide detailed diagnostic information and their limitations in scalability.
• Error Mitigation and Non-Unit Noise: Insights into the impact of non-unit noise on quantum circuits and the limitations of error mitigation techniques, particularly concerning their scalability.
• Quantum Simulation and Near-Term Devices: Jens shares his cautious optimism about the potential for near-term quantum devices to achieve practical applications, particularly in the field of quantum simulation.
• Innovative and Foundational Research: The conversation touches on Jens' interest in both pioneering new fields and concluding existing ones. He shares intriguing research on the emergence of temperature in quantum systems and its potential implications for quantum algorithms.

Welcome to The New Quantum Era podcast! In today’s episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of quantum computing and the broader tech landscape with Anastasia Marchenkova, who has a unique blend of experiences in startups, academia, and venture capital. Join us as we explore the intersections of technology, business, and education, and uncover the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the quantum era.

Highlights from the Interview:

• Journey into Quantum Computing: Learn how our Anastasia's early experiences in quantum telecommunications and a serendipitous encounter with a startup led to a pivotal role at Rigetti Computing.
• Building and Scaling Startups: Insights into the startup ecosystem, including the importance of customer discovery, the challenges of scaling deep tech companies, and the role of non-dilutive funding from sources like DARPA.
• Interdisciplinary Innovations: Discover how principles from quantum computing are being applied to other cutting-edge fields like thermodynamic computing and AI, and the potential for cross-disciplinary breakthroughs.
• The Importance of Communication and Networking: Discussion on the critical role of communication skills in science and technology, and how building connections can drive innovation and collaboration.
• Future Vision and Education: Our guest’s ambitious plans for bridging the gap between deep tech and the broader public through educational initiatives and media, aiming to inspire the next generation of technologists and entrepreneurs.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Rigetti Computing: A pioneering quantum computing startup.
• DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency): A key source of non-dilutive funding for deep tech projects.
• Quantum Benchmark: A company specializing in error characterization and mitigation for quantum computing, acquired by Keysight Technologies.
• Thermodynamic Computing: An emerging field aimed at reducing energy consumption in AI, with notable contributions from researchers like Patrick Coles, who founded Normal Computing, and Guillaume Verdun, who recently founded Extropic.
• VC Lab: An incubator program for training emerging venture capitalists.

In this episode of The New Quantum Era, Kevin and Sebastian are joined by a special guest, Paul Cadden-Zemansky, Associate Professor of Physics at Bard College and Director of the Physics Program. Paul is also on the Executive Committee for the International Year of Quantum at the American Physical Society and has been actively involved in the UN’s recent declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. With the UN resolution now official, Paul joins us to discuss the significance and plans for this global celebration of quantum mechanics.

Listeners can expect an insightful conversation covering the following key points:

• The Significance of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology: Paul explains the origins and importance of the UN’s declaration, marking the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics and its impact over the past century.
• Global Collaboration and Outreach: Discussion on the international cooperation involved in getting the resolution passed, including the involvement of various scientific societies and countries, and the emphasis on public awareness and education.
• Challenges and Strategies for Quantum Communication: Paul shares his thoughts on the difficulties of communicating complex quantum concepts to the public and the strategies to make quantum mechanics more accessible and engaging.
• Future Plans and Initiatives: Insights into the plans for 2025, including potential events, educational resources, and how individuals and organizations can get involved in promoting quantum science.
• Innovations in Quantum Visualization: Paul’s work with students on new methods for visualizing complex quantum systems, including the development of tools to help understand two-qubit states.

Mentioned in this episode:

• UN Declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
• American Physical Society (APS)
• Quantum 2025 Website: quantum2025.org
• Paul’s Research Paper on Quantum Visualization on Arxiv
• Paul's web-based visualization tool

Join us as we delve into the exciting world of quantum mechanics and explore the plans for celebrating its centennial year!

In this episode of The New Quantum Era, host Sebastian Hassinger comes to you again from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, during their launch event in April 2024 for the deployment of an IBM System One quantum computer on their campus. RPI invited me to lead a panel discussion with members of their faculty and IT team, and provided a podcast studio for my use for the remainder of the week, where he recorded a series of interviews. In this episode Sebastian interviews Di Fang, an assistant professor of mathematics at Duke University and member of the Duke Quantum Center. They discuss Dr. Fang's research on the theoretical aspects of quantum computing and quantum simulation, the potential for quantum computers to demonstrate quantum advantage over classical computers, and the need to balance theory with practical applications. Key topics and takeaways from the conversation include:

- Dr. Fang's background as a mathematician and how taking a quantum computing class taught by Umesh Vazirani at UC Berkeley sparked her interest in the field of quantum information science
- The potential for quantum computers to directly simulate quantum systems like molecules, going beyond the approximations required by classical computation
- The importance of both proving theoretical bounds on quantum algorithms and working towards practical resource estimation and hardware implementation to demonstrate real quantum advantage
- The stages of development needed to go from purely theoretical quantum advantage to solving useful real-world problems, and the role of Google's quantum XPRIZE competition in motivating practical applications
- The long-term potential for quantum computing to have a disruptive impact like AI, but the risk of a "quantum winter" if practical results don't materialize, and the need for continued fundamental research by academics alongside industry efforts

In this episode of The New Quantum Era, we're diving deep into the intersection of quantum computing and chemistry with Jamie Garcia, Technical Program Director for Algorithms and Scientific Partnerships Group with IBM Quantum. Jamie brings a unique perspective, having transitioned from a background in chemistry to the forefront of quantum computing. At the heart of our discussion is the deployment of the IBM Quantum computer at RPI, marking a significant milestone as the first of its kind on a university campus. Jamie shares insights into the challenges and breakthroughs in using quantum computing to push the boundaries of computational chemistry, highlighting the potential to revolutionize how we approach complex chemical reactions and materials science.

Throughout the interview, Jamie discusses the evolution of quantum computing from a theoretical novelty to a practical tool in scientific research, particularly in chemistry. We explore the limitations of classical computational methods in chemistry, such as the reliance on approximations, and how quantum computing offers the promise of more accurate and efficient simulations. Jamie also delves into the concept of "utility" in quantum computing, illustrating how IBM's quantum computers are beginning to perform tasks that challenge classical computing capabilities. The conversation further touches on the significance of quantum computing in education and research, the integration of quantum systems with high-performance computing (HPC) centers, and the future of quantum computing in addressing complex problems in chemistry and beyond.

Jamie's homepage at IBM Research
How Quantum Computing Could Remake Chemistry, an article by Jamie Garcia in Scientific American

Sebastian interviews Professor Lin Lin during the System One ribbon cutting event at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Professor Lin Lin's journey from computational mathematics to quantum chemistry has been driven by his fascination with modeling nature through computation. As a student at Peking University, he was intrigued by the concept of first principles modeling, which aims to simulate chemical systems using minimal information such as atomic species and positions. Lin Lin pursued this interest during his PhD at Princeton University, working with mathematicians and chemists to develop better algorithms for density functional theory (DFT). DFT reformulates the high-dimensional quantum chemistry problem into a more tractable three-dimensional one, albeit with approximations. While DFT works well for about 95% of cases, it struggles with large systems and the remaining "strongly correlated" 5%. Lin Lin and his collaborators radically reformulated DFT to enable calculations on much larger systems, leading to his faculty position at UC Berkeley in 2014.

In 2018, a watershed year marked by his tenure, Lin Lin decided to tackle the challenging 5% of strongly correlated quantum chemistry problems. Two emerging approaches showed promise: artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. Both AI and quantum computing are well-suited for handling high-dimensional problems, albeit in fundamentally different ways. Lin Lin aimed to leverage both approaches, collaborating on the development of deep molecular dynamics using AI to efficiently parameterize interatomic potentials. On the quantum computing side, his group worked to reformulate quantum chemistry for quantum computers. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lin Lin and his collaborators have made significant strides in combining AI and quantum computing to push the boundaries of computational chemistry simulations, bridging the fields of mathematics, chemistry, AI, and quantum computing in an exciting new frontier.

Thanks again to Professor Lin and everyone at RPI for hosting me and providing such an amazing opportunity to interview so many brilliant researchers. 

Sebastian is joined by Olivia Lanes, Global Lead for Education and Learning, IBM Quantum to discuss quantum education, IBM's efforts to provide resources for workforce development, the importance of diversity and equality in STEM, and her own personal journey from experimental physics to community building and content creation. Recorded on the RPI campus during the launch event of their IBM System One quantum computer.

Key Topics:
- Olivia's background in experimental quantum physics and transition to education at IBM Quantum
- Lowering barriers to entry in quantum computing education through IBM's Quantum Experience platform, Qiskit open source framework, and online learning resources
- The importance of reaching students early, especially women and people of color, to build a diverse quantum workforce pipeline
- Quantum computing as an interdisciplinary field requiring expertise across physics, computer science, engineering, and other domains
- The need to identify real-world problems and use cases that quantum computing can uniquely address
- Balancing the hype around quantum computing's potential with setting realistic expectations
- International collaboration and providing global access to quantum education and technologies
- The unique opportunity of having an IBM quantum computer on the RPI campus to inspire students and enable cutting-edge research

Resources Mentioned:
- IBM Quantum learning platform
- "Introduction to Classical and Quantum Computing" by Tom Wong
- Qiskit YouTube channel

In summary, this episode explores the current state of quantum computing education, the importance of making it accessible to a broad and diverse group of students from an early age, and how academia and industry can partner to build the quantum workforce of the future. Olivia provides an insider's perspective on IBM Quantum's efforts in this space.

For this episode, Sebastian is on his own, as Kevin is taking a break. Sebastian accepted a gracious invite to the ribbon cutting event at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, where the university was launching their on-campus IBM System One -- the first commercial quantum computer on a university campus!
This week, the episode is a recording a live event hosted by Sebastian. The panel of RPI faculty and staff talk about their decision to deploy a quantum computer in their own computing center -- a former chapel from the 1930s! - what they hope the RPI community will do with the device, and the role of academic partnership with private industry at this stage of the development of the technology. 
Joining Sebastian on the panel were:

• James Hendler, Professor and Director of Future of Computing Institute
• Jackie Stampalia, Director, Client Information Services, DotCIO
• Osama Raisuddin, Research Scientist, RPI
• Lucy Zhang, Professor, Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering