How Quantum Computers Fail: Quantum Codes, Correlations in Physical Systems, and Noise Accumulation

TL;DR

This paper explores fundamental limitations of quantum computers by examining quantum codes, correlations in physical systems, and noise accumulation, proposing conjectures and models that challenge the feasibility of scalable quantum computation.

Contribution

It introduces three related conjectures and models addressing physical realizations, correlations, and noise effects that collectively suggest inherent challenges to building reliable quantum computers.

Findings

Proposes a conjecture about physical realizations of quantum codes.

Analyzes correlations in stochastic physical systems.

Models quantum evolution with noise accumulation.

Abstract

The feasibility of computationally superior quantum computers is one of the most exciting and clear-cut scientific questions of our time. The question touches on fundamental issues regarding probability, physics, and computability, as well as on exciting problems in experimental physics, engineering, computer science, and mathematics. We propose three related directions towards a negative answer. The first is a conjecture about physical realizations of quantum codes, the second has to do with correlations in stochastic physical systems, and the third proposes a model for quantum evolutions when noise accumulates. The paper is dedicated to the memory of Itamar Pitowsky.