An animation showing the convergence of our new excited state preparation algorithm.
There are lots of ways to find ground states of many-body quantum systems, but what do you do if you want to prepare an excited state? 🤔
That's the question we've addressed in a new preprint, out today: arxiv.org/abs/2508.00065
One-meme summary of Microsoft's announcement today.
The "hide the exponential" game Scott Aaronson has complained about for decades is alive and well: arxiv.org/abs/2412.13164
Yes, Shor's algorithm with 3 registers only needs very basic operations.
No, you can't pack a 2^2000 level quantum state into 1 oscillator and then operate accurately on it.
In summary: nice try, but I wouldn't say that Grover's algorithm is "particularly promising for applications in disease research" and that this slight adaption of it is "signaling significant impact in both the fields of computational biology and quantum computing".
"A new quantum algorithm [...] addresses one of the most complex challenges in single-cell analysis, signaling significant impact in both the fields of computational biology and quantum computing."
Sounds exciting - let's have a look! 🧵
phys.org/news/2024-11...
Here we go! I'm advertising two PhD projects in the School of Physics & Astronomy!
One is all about developing new ways to model open quantum systems: www.ph.ed.ac.uk/phd-projects...
The other is about disorder and many-body localisation: www.ph.ed.ac.uk/phd-projects...
Just ask for more info!
Unravelling quantum dynamics using flow equations.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Combining flow equations with scrambling techniques and error bounds, we present a new way to address the classical simulation of quantum dynamics for intermediate times.
I'm glad I haven't been forgotten by my IBM colleagues. 😅
Lego Steven Thomson
I’m not sure where the speakers are, but it’s a very effective deterrent.
Stivi-bot is a valued member of our team. ❤️
I bought a genuine World War Two greatcoat just because I thought Captain Jack looked cool in Torchwood. It turns out they’re heavy, itchy, and not particularly warm. 😅
It’s time to acquire an eccentric coat.
Physics is to natural science as economics is to the humanities. Maths is a useful tool for both.
I've been thinking a bit about this whole "echo chamber" thing on social media. It's not the opposing ideas that are driving people away from Twitter; I'm surrounded by folks who don't believe the same things I do. It's the absolutely repugnant people, their style of engagement and entitlement.
📢PhD Positions in Quantum Computing
Applications are now open for the new CDT in Quantum Informatics. We are recruiting 16 students to start Sept 2025. Positions are fully funded for 4 years. Apply now:
quantuminformatics-cdt.ac.uk
I stumbled upon this post by @francescoppola.bsky.social during my lunchtime web meanderings. I think it’s an interesting and timely read.
www.coppolacomment.com/2012/07/the-...
I tried to write up an intro to (dynamical) Lie algebras for quantum practicioners as the topic keeps poping up
pennylane.ai/qml/demos/tu...
It’s views like these that drew me to phenomenology, both in the philosophical and physical sense.
I am a research scientist developing algorithms for simulating physical systems on quantum hardware.
I think for a living. Occasionally, I write something down.
“I am whatever the people need me to be. A guardian. An oppressor. For some, too distant. For others, too meddlesome. I am the canvas upon which they paint their dreams and resentments. A vessel for their hopes and doubts. A mirror. Nothing more.”
- Sotha Sil, The Clockwork City, 2E 582