CR Quantum Computing @IN2P3

https://indico.in2p3.fr/event/19662/  
6.9.2019, ~17 colleagues

Introduction (V. Beckmann, IN2P3):
    •    Technologie à fort potentiel pour nos sciences
    •    Matériel pas encore au niveau pour être utlisé par nos sciences
    •    Difficile à prévoir quand du matériel plus mature sera disponible
    •    Explorez ce que ces nouvelles technologies pourraient apporter à notre domaine

QC for many-body systems at the nucleonic scale or below (D. Lacroix, IPNO):
    •    QC is not a new subject
    •    Simple problems easily described in a CC can be very difficult on a QC
    •    QC can lead to major breakthroughs in complex problems
    •    US: quantum computing for nuclear physics started group 2017, with significant investment over 5 years of 20 postdocs and 30 PhD grants, addressing many fields
    •    QC is very challenging and exciting
    •    intellectually satisfactory
    •    might lead to major breakthrough in different IN2P3 fields
    •    natural synergies between private and public sector
    •    emerging strong collaborations
    •    rapid actions needed if IN2P3 wants to be competitive
    •    risk that finally QC will not fulfill the promises   

Résumé atelier Quantum Computing @ CERN, November 2018 (B. Vulpescu, LPC)
    •    https://indico.cern.ch/event/719844/
    •    organized by OpenLab (CERN)
    •    400 representatives of the HEP community present at workshop
    •    quantum technologies as a key topic for the future of particle physics, 2nd quantum revolution
    •    quantum co-processor: augmenting, not replacing traditional HPC systems
    •    Different levels need to be developed: quantum chip, control electronics, compilers/runtimes, application algorithms.
    •    various companies in the field: DWave, Microsoft, rigetti, IBM, Google
    •    training and tutorials for HEP, co-developed and delivered together with Google

Discussion:
    •    QC with >1000 qbits (as e.g. offered by DWave) are not “real” QC but very noisy, thus solving QC problems statistically
    •    these “fake” QC seem to be popular in the private sector and are seen as a great opportunity
    •    to be competitive, significant investment (especially RH!) would be necessary
    •    IN2P3 cannot contribute to building QC hardware, but can add to solving fundamental physics problems in the context of QC.
    •    first step to enter QC field is certainly self formation: read about QC, qubits, etc. and try out some of the open source software available
    •    two main motivations within IN2P3 to deal with quantum computing: concrete use cases and academic interest
    •    interest in diffierent topics: hardware development, software development and interfacing, and as user of both existing QC or software

• more information necessary in order to decide what use cases can be interesting to pursue

    •    a common workshop (with hands-on possibilities) would help to coordinate and inform the interested colleagues
    •    

Next steps
Denis Lacroix (IPNO) to coordinate the interest group
Investigate training opportunities and collaborations with
    •    CERN OpenLab (Federico Carminati),
    •    CEA (Philippe Chomaz)
    •    INRIA (Anthony Leverrier)
    •    INS2I
    •    Private sector, e.g. DWave
    •    Paris Centre for Quantum Computing (PCQC): http://www.pcqc.fr/
Evaluate relevance / opportunities of the European Quantum Flagship initiative
Discuss possibility to organize IN2P3 workshop (preferentially before Christmas)

Some relevant links:
    •    Notes Scientifiques OPECST, introduction par Cedric Villani: http://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/15/les-delegations-comite-et-office-parlementaire/office-parlementaire-d-evaluation-des-choix-scientifiques-et-technologiques/secretariat/notes-scientifiques-de-l-office/les-technologies-quantiques-introduction-et-enjeux-n-13-mars-2019
    •    OPECST: l'ordinateur quantique
    •    Quantum Flagship: https://qt.eu/
    •    Conference "Quantum Computing and Scientific Research: state of the art and potential impact in nuclear physics": http://esnt.cea.fr/Phocea/Page/index.php?id=83
    •    Quantum Computing for High-Energy Physics Workshop (November 2018): https://indico.cern.ch/event/719844/
    •    CERN openlab project on quantum computing for HEP: https://openlab.cern/project/quantum-computing-high-energy-physics
    •    Paris Centre for Quantum Computing (PCQC): http://www.pcqc.fr/
    •    The QIS/QS American collaboration: https://sites.google.com/uw.edu/qcqisfornucleartheory/home
    •    The INT 2017 early workshop in Quantum Computer: http://www.int.washington.edu/PROGRAMS/17-66W/