arXiv subjects

N. S. Blunt

Publications and source records attributed to N. S. Blunt.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Demonstration of multi-qubit entanglement and algorithms on a programmable neutral atom quantum computer

Gate model quantum computers promise to solve currently intractable computational problems if they can be operated at scale with long coherence times and high fidelity logic. Neutral atom hyperfine qubits provide inherent scalability due to their identical characteristics, long coherence times, and ability to be trapped in dense multi-dimensional arrays\cite{Saffman2010}. Combined with the strong entangling interactions provided by Rydberg states\cite{Jaksch2000,Gaetan2009,Urban2009}, all the necessary characteristics for quantum computation are available. Here we demonstrate several quantum algorithms on a programmable gate model neutral atom quantum computer in an architecture based on individual addressing of single atoms with tightly focused optical beams scanned across a two-dimensional array of qubits. Preparation of entangled Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states\cite{Greenberger1989} with up to 6 qubits, quantum phase estimation for a chemistry problem\cite{Aspuru-Guzik2005}, and the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA)\cite{Farhi2014} for the MaxCut graph problem are demonstrated. These results highlight the emergent capability of neutral atom qubit arrays for universal, programmable quantum computation, as well as preparation of non-classical states of use for quantum enhanced sensing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Charge-transfer excited states: Seeking a balanced and efficient wave function ansatz in variational Monte Carlo

We present a simple and efficient wave function ansatz for the treatment of excited charge-transfer states in real-space quantum Monte Carlo methods. Using the recently-introduced variation-after-response method [J. Chem. Phys. 145, 081103 (2016)], this ansatz allows a crucial orbital optimization step to be performed beyond a configuration interaction singles expansion, while only requiring calculation of two Slater determinant objects. We demonstrate this ansatz for the illustrative example of the stretched LiF molecule, for a range of excited states of formaldehyde, and finally for the more challenging ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene molecule.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2017

Density matrices in full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo: Excited states, transition dipole moments and parallel distribution

We present developments in the calculation of reduced density matrices (RDMs) in the full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo (FCIQMC) method. An efficient scheme is described to allow storage of RDMs across distributed memory, thereby allowing their calculation and storage in large basis sets. We demonstrate the calculation of RDMs for general states by using the recently-introduced excited-state FCIQMC approach [J. Chem. Phys. 143, 134117 (2015)] and further introduce calculation of transition density matrices (TDMs) in the method. These approaches are combined to calculate excited-state dipole and transition dipole moments for heteronuclear diatomic molecules, including LiH, BH and MgO, and initiator error is investigated in these quantities.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2016

Accurate exchange-correlation energies for the warm dense electron gas

Density matrix quantum Monte Carlo (DMQMC) is used to sample exact-on-average $N$-body density matrices for uniform electron gas systems of up to 10$^{124}$ matrix elements via a stochastic solution of the Bloch equation. The results of these calculations resolve a current debate over the accuracy of the data used to parametrize finite-temperature density functionals. Exchange-correlation energies calculated using the real-space restricted path-integral formalism and the $k$-space configuration path-integral formalism disagree by up to $\sim$$10$\% at certain reduced temperatures $T/T_F \le 0.5$ and densities $r_s \le 1$. Our calculations confirm the accuracy of the configuration path-integral Monte Carlo results available at high density and bridge the gap to lower densities, providing trustworthy data in the regime typical of planetary interiors and solids subject to laser irradiation. We demonstrate that DMQMC can calculate free energies directly and present exact free energies for $T/T_F \ge 1$ and $r_s \le 2$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Open-source development experiences in scientific software: the HANDE quantum Monte Carlo project

The HANDE quantum Monte Carlo project offers accessible stochastic algorithms for general use for scientists in the field of quantum chemistry. HANDE is an ambitious and general high-performance code developed by a geographically-dispersed team with a variety of backgrounds in computational science. In the course of preparing a public, open-source release, we have taken this opportunity to step back and look at what we have done and what we hope to do in the future. We pay particular attention to development processes, the approach taken to train students joining the project, and how a flat hierarchical structure aids communication

cs.SE↗

arXiv2015

Interaction Picture Density Matrix Quantum Monte Carlo

The recently developed density matrix quantum Monte Carlo (DMQMC) algorithm stochastically samples the N -body thermal density matrix and hence provides access to exact properties of many-particle quantum systems at arbitrary temperatures. We demonstrate that moving to the interaction picture provides substantial benefits when applying DMQMC to interacting fermions. In this first study, we focus on a system of much recent interest: the uniform electron gas in the warm dense regime. The basis set incompleteness error at finite temperature is investigated and extrapolated via a simple Monte Carlo sampling procedure. Finally, we provide benchmark calculations for a four-electron system, comparing our results to previous work where possible.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

An excited-state approach within full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo

We present a new approach to calculate excited states with the full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo (FCIQMC) method. The approach uses a Gram-Schmidt procedure, instantaneously applied to the stochastically evolving distributions of walkers, to orthogonalize higher energy states against lower energy ones. It can thus be used to study several of the lowest-energy states of a system within the same symmetry. This additional step is particularly simple and computationally inexpensive, requiring only a small change to the underlying FCIQMC algorithm. No trial wave functions or partitioning of the space is needed. The approach should allow excited states to be studied for systems similar to those accessible to the ground-state method, due to a comparable computational cost. As a first application we consider the carbon dimer in basis sets up to quadruple-zeta quality, and compare to existing results where available.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2015

Krylov-projected quantum Monte Carlo

We present an approach to the calculation of arbitrary spectral, thermal and excited state properties within the full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo framework. This is achieved via an unbiased projection of the Hamiltonian eigenvalue problem into a space of stochastically sampled Krylov vectors, thus enabling the calculation of real-frequency spectral and thermal properties and avoiding explicit analytic continuation. We use this approach to calculate temperature-dependent properties and one- and two-body spectral functions for various Hubbard models, as well as isolated excited states in ab initio systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Semi-stochastic full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo: developments and application

We expand upon the recent semi-stochastic adaptation to full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo (FCIQMC). We present an alternate method for generating the deterministic space without a priori knowledge of the wave function and present stochastic efficiencies for a variety of both molecular and lattice systems. The algorithmic details of an efficient semi-stochastic implementation are presented, with particular consideration given to the effect that the adaptation has on parallel performance in FCIQMC. We further demonstrate the benefit for calculation of reduced density matrices in FCIQMC through replica sampling, where the semi-stochastic adaptation seems to have even larger efficiency gains. We then combine these ideas to produce explicitly correlated corrected FCIQMC energies for the Beryllium dimer, for which stochastic errors on the order of wavenumber accuracy are achievable.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2014

Unbiased Reduced Density Matrices and Electronic Properties from Full Configuration Interaction Quantum Monte Carlo

Properties that are necessarily formulated within pure (symmetric) expectation values are difficult to calculate for projector quantum Monte Carlo approaches, but are critical in order to compute many of the important observable properties of electronic systems. Here, we investigate an approach for the sampling of unbiased reduced density matrices within the Full Configuration Interaction Quantum Monte Carlo dynamic, which requires only small computational overheads. This is achieved via an independent replica population of walkers in the dynamic, sampled alongside the original population. The resulting reduced density matrices are free from systematic error (beyond those present via constraints on the dynamic itself), and can be used to compute a variety of expectation values and properties, with rapid convergence to an exact limit. A quasi-variational energy estimate derived from these density matrices is proposed as an accurate alternative to the projected estimator for multiconfigurational wavefunctions, while its variational property could potentially lend itself to accurate extrapolation approaches in larger systems.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2014

Density matrix quantum Monte Carlo

We present a quantum Monte Carlo method capable of sampling the full density matrix of a many-particle system at finite temperature. This allows arbitrary reduced density matrix elements and expectation values of complicated non-local observables to be evaluated easily. The method resembles full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo but works in the space of many-particle operators instead of the space of many-particle wave functions. One simulation provides the density matrix at all temperatures simultaneously, from $T=\infty$ to $T=0$, allowing the temperature dependence of expectation values to be studied. The direct sampling of the density matrix also allows the calculation of some previously inaccessible entanglement measures. We explain the theory underlying the method, describe the algorithm, and introduce an importance-sampling procedure to improve the stochastic efficiency. To demonstrate the potential of our approach, the energy and staggered magnetization of the isotropic antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on small lattices, the concurrence of one-dimensional spin rings, and the Renyi $S_2$ entanglement entropy of various sublattices of the $6 \times 6$ Heisenberg model are calculated. The nature of the sign problem in the method is also investigated.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2012

The sign problem and population dynamics in the full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo method

The recently proposed full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo method allows access to essentially exact ground-state energies of systems of interacting fermions substantially larger than previously tractable without knowledge of the nodal structure of the ground-state wave function. We investigate the nature of the sign problem in this method and how its severity depends on the system studied. We explain how cancelation of the positive and negative particles sampling the wave function ensures convergence to a stochastic representation of the many-fermion ground state and accounts for the characteristic population dynamics observed in simulations.

physics.comp-ph↗