Advances in Quantum Algorithms and Devices: Welcome and Distributed Denstity Matrices

The density matrix (d.m.) of a quantum state is a statistical construct, describing our best understanding of the actual state based on our prior experience with, and constant monitoring of, the experimental apparatus and its ability to store and manipulate quantum states. An operational problem arises when a multi-particle state is held in physically distributed locations and each node must make real-time decisions on the disposition of the quantum state, as in a quantum repeater network. Each node holding part of the state may independently choose to manipulate the state, affecting its fidelity. Software systems must concern themselves with the discrepancy between (in a two-party state) Alice’s notion of the d.m., Bob’s notion of the d.m., and the d.m. that would be compiled by an observer Orville not subject to relativistic constraints on information. We have developed a set of principles for guiding the implementation, and compare four methods for meeting the constraints: by contract, by centralized control, by distributed calculation and decision, and by direct monitoring.

Speaker Details

I manage the Quantum Architectures and Computation Group (QuArC) at Microsoft Research in Redmond, WA. I am passionate about quantum computation and determining how to better solve problems on a quantum computer. My research focuses on quantum algorithms and how to implement them on a quantum device, from how to code them in a high-level programming language, to how to optimize the resources they require, to how to implement them in hardware. Our team also works on designing a scalable, fault-tolerant software architecture for translating a high-level quantum program into a low-level, device-specific quantum implementation, which we call LIQUi

Rodney can Meter received a B.S. in engineering and applied science from the California Institute of Technology in 1986, an M.S. in computer engineering from the University of Southern California in 1991, and a Ph.D. in computer science from Keio University in 2006.

His main research is architectures for distributed quantum computation. Additional interests include storage systems, networking, and post-Moore’s Law computer architecture. He has held positions in both industry and academia in the U.S. and Japan. He is now an Associate Professor of Environment and Information Studies at Keio University’s Shonan Fujisawa Campus. Dr. Van Meter is a member of AAAS, ACM and IEEE.

Date:
Speakers:
Krysta Svore and Rodney van Meter
Affiliation:
Microsoft, Keio University