A research team from Mississippi State University (MUS) has been awarded a substantial grant of over $550,000 by the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear physics program to delve into the burgeoning realm of quantum computing. This initiative, entitled “Three-body Interactions on a Quantum Computer,” will unfold over a three-year period and is spearheaded by Professor Gautam Rupak from MSU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Quantum computing, an interdisciplinary domain merging computer science, physics, and mathematics, exploits the principles of quantum mechanics for more efficient problem-solving compared to classical computers. The project aims to enhance models elucidating atomic and nuclear interactions, ultimately refining our comprehension of molecular structures.
Despite the century-old origins of quantum mechanics, the advent of quantum computers necessitates a paradigm shift in computational approaches. Professor Rupak highlighted collaboration with experts in nuclear physics, Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computers, and machine learning within the research team.
The team’s primary focus is on algorithm development and testing using existing quantum computers, with an emphasis on studying three-body nuclear forces. This research directly informs future investigations into nuclear structure and reactions spanning a wide range of atomic masses.
Professor Rupak underscored the potential applications of quantum computing, anticipating more precise real-time predictions in intricate atomic nuclei dynamics. This advancement could have implications for fields such as drug and chemical research.
At present, the team is concentrating on a specific challenge – determining the “binding energy of the triton.” The triton, a positively charged particle comprising a proton and two neutrons, mimics the nucleus of a tritium atom. The team aspires to achieve this milestone using the current Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computers.
