On applications of quantum computing to plasma simulations

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of quantum computing for plasma simulations, demonstrating that many plasma problems can be represented in quantum-like forms and discussing hybrid quantum-classical approaches for complex plasma dynamics.

Contribution

It shows how plasma-wave problems and more complex plasma systems can be represented in quantum-like forms, expanding quantum computing applications beyond traditional quantum systems.

Findings

Plasma-wave problems are naturally representable in quantum-like form.

Non-Hermitian and nonlinear plasma problems can be simulated with extended quantum-like models.

Hybrid quantum-classical methods could analyze eigenmodes and nonlinear plasma dynamics.

Abstract

Quantum computing is gaining increased attention as a potential way to speed up simulations of physical systems, and it is also of interest to apply it to simulations of classical plasmas. However, quantum information science is traditionally aimed at modeling linear Hamiltonian systems of a particular form that is found in quantum mechanics, so extending the existing results to plasma applications remains a challenge. Here, we report a preliminary exploration of the long-term opportunities and likely obstacles in this area. First, we show that many plasma-wave problems are naturally representable in a quantumlike form and thus are naturally fit for quantum computers. Second, we consider more general plasma problems that include non-Hermitian dynamics (instabilities, irreversible dissipation) and nonlinearities. We show that by extending the configuration space, such systems can also be represented in a quantumlike form and thus can be simulated with quantum computers too, albeit that requires more computational resources compared to the first case. Third, we outline potential applications of hybrid quantum--classical computers, which include analysis of global eigenmodes and also an alternative approach to nonlinear simulations.