At present, quantum computers contain some 100 qubits, whose lifetime is only up four orders of magnitude longer than the time for a logic gate operation. Can one do something useful with such a device? I will argue that even these, very imperfect and noisy quantum computers can address a number of physics questions that cannot be simulated by a classical computer in a realistic time. The focus will be on the problems of theoretical condensed matter and many-body physics. I will start with the description of a typical superconducting quantum computing chip and outline the main physical effects that limit its coherence. I will then discuss the physics that is natural to simulate on such a device. One of the interesting questions is the formation of highly non-ergodic phases, which are still poorely understood. I will present our recent work, in which we discovered the unexpected resilience of bound states in decorated spin chains, the first indication that quantum computer is on the verge of real scientific discoveries.
Dose assessment: from conceptual model to environmental radioactivity monitoring
Radionuclides are discharged into the environment from a variety of nuclear and radiation facilities, potentially causing harmful effects on human health and the environment. If discharges are likely to result in adverse radiological effects, they must be evaluated in...
