Top quantum algorithms papers — Spring 2024 edition

In this blog post we share our favourite papers released in the second quarter of 2024. The selection is based on relevance to quantum algorithms and applications; these are results that we admire and that have been influential to our research. Xanadu papers won’t appear in the Top 5 due to an obvious conflict of interest, but we take the opportunity to share our latest work at the end of this blog post.

Contents

• The Top 5
  • 1. Thermalization and Criticality on an Analog-Digital Quantum Simulator
  • 2. Constant-depth preparation of matrix product states with adaptive quantum circuits
  • 3. Demonstration of logical qubits and repeated error correction with better-than-physical error rates
  • 4. Fast quantum integer multiplication with zero ancillas
  • 5. Chemistry Beyond Exact Solutions on a Quantum-Centric Supercomputer
• Honourable mentions
• Xanadu papers from spring 2024

The Top 5

1. Thermalization and Criticality on an Analog-Digital Quantum Simulator

An impressive investigation of fundamental physics with a 69-qubit quantum computer, showcasing the impact of current quantum computers for scientific research.

2. Constant-depth preparation of matrix product states with adaptive quantum circuits

State preparation is one of the key subroutines in quantum algorithms. This work presents what may be the most efficient method for preparing a matrix product state on a quantum computer.

3. Demonstration of logical qubits and repeated error correction with better-than-physical error rates

A milestone achievement towards error correction in ion-trap quantum computers.

4. Fast quantum integer multiplication with zero ancillas

Quantum arithmetic is a key building block for quantum computing, notably for Shor’s factoring algorithm. This new paper is probably the new state of the art for multiplication, a result that can have massive impact.

5. Chemistry Beyond Exact Solutions on a Quantum-Centric Supercomputer

This is a landmark paper tackling challenging simulation problems in quantum chemistry, moving beyond toy problems. The supercomputer is doing most of the heavy lifting, but this may change in the future.

Honourable mentions

1. Quantum amplitude estimation from classical signal processing
   A creative connection to improve quantum amplitude estimation that could find multiple uses in practice.

2. Optimal Toffoli-Depth Quantum Adder
   Probably the new state of the art for performing addition on a quantum computer, with a masterful use of classical techniques.

3. Spin coupling is all you need: Encoding strong electron correlation on quantum computers
   A persuasive proposal on using a spin-coupling representation to efficiently prepare out-of-equilibrium states of molecules on a quantum computer.

4. Quantum Dynamic Programming
   A surprising idea on how to leverage insights from dynamical programming to design more efficient quantum algorithms.

5. Potential Applications of Quantum Computing at Los Alamos National Laboratory
   An extremely useful reference of applications that are of interest for fundamental research.

Xanadu papers from spring 2024

Here we share our publications from this spring. You can find the full list on our website.

• Ground State Preparation via Dynamical Cooling
  

  

  A new quantum algorithm for preparing ground states that uses quantum dynamics for effective energy dissipation.
  
  

• Early Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms in Practice: Application to Ground-State Energy Estimation
  

  

  A detailed study of the practical performance of quantum algorithms based on cumulative distribution functions. Using our modifications, these algorithms work surprisingly well.
  
  

• Simulating X-ray absorption spectroscopy of battery materials on a quantum computer
  

  

  A key result that identifies a potential killer application of quantum computing for Li-ion batteries. This work resulted from our collaboration with Volkswagen.
  
  

• Simulating optically-active spin defects with a quantum computer
  

  

  A proposal for a potential killer application of quantum computing for materials simulations, as a result of our collaboration with Toyota.
  
  

• Nonlinear Spectroscopy via Generalized Quantum Phase Estimation
  

  

  A new quantum algorithm that can be applied to a variety of problems related to understanding how molecules and materials interact with light.
  
  

---

We hope you enjoyed this selection of top papers. Stay tuned for the Summer 2024 edition! You can sign up to the Xanadu newsletter or follow PennyLane on LinkedIn or Twitter/X to get notified.