A team of IQC researchers led by PhD student Gina Passante recently demonstrated that a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) quantum computer can solve an important and practical problem unfeasible for classical computers.
Whereas most quantum computing research has concentrated on models using multiple quantum bits (qubits), Passante and her colleagues implemented a unique computation using a quantum model requiring only a single qubit. It is the first experimental implementation of a problem that completely encapsulates the power of a computational model called "deterministic quantum computation with one quantum bit" (or DQC1).
The researchers have presented their experimental results in a paper published in the December issue of Physical Review Letters titled "Experimental Approximation of the Jones Polynomial with One Quantum Bit. "Approximation of the Jones polynomial (a mathematical knot variant) is a very difficult problem to solve classically, but the IQC team demonstrated it can be solved using a one-qubit model. The success of the experiment hinged on the researcher's ability to manipulate the qubits accurately and quickly, given the fragility of the quantum states involved.
To learn more, read a full article about the experiment and results at PhysOrg.com.
Founded in 2002, the mission of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is to aggressively explore and advance the application of quantum mechanical systems to a vast array of relevant information processing techniques. A part of the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont., Canada, IQC creates a truly unique environment fostering cutting-edge research and collaboration between researchers in the areas of computer, engineering, mathematical and physical sciences.
At the time of this release, IQC has 17 faculty members, 22 postdoctoral fellows and over 55 students and research assistants, as well as a support staff of 18.
The Institute for Quantum Computing acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada through Industry Canada and the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Research and Innovation.