03/01/2019 - DSC - Scott Aaronson: Quantum Supremacy & Its Applications

03-01-2019 Scott Aaronson is the David J. Bruton Centennial Professor of Computer Science at The University of Texas at Austin and director of the university's Quantum Information Center. He presented "Quantum Supremacy & Its Applications at Argonne's Director’s Special Colloquium. Abstract: In the near future, there will likely be special-purpose quantum computers with 50-70 high-quality qubits and controllable nearest neighbor couplings. In this talk, Aaronson discussed general theoretical foundations for how to use such devices to demonstrate ​“quantum supremacy”: that is, a clear quantum speedup for *some* task, motivated by the goal of overturning the Extended Church-Turing Thesis (which says that all physical systems can be efficiently simulated by classical computers) as confidently as possible. Aaronson then discussed some new work on how these sorts of experiments could be used to generate certified random bits, for use in cryptographic protocols and other applications. Still haven't subscribed to Argonne National Laboratory on YouTube? ►► http://bit.ly/2Vyzwvm Join us on Facebook http://bit.ly/ArgonneFacebook Follow us on Twitter http://bit.ly/ArgonneTwitter We’re on Instagram! http://bit.ly/ArgonneInstagram Connect with us on LinkedIn http://bit.ly/ArgonneLinkedIn ABOUT ARGONNE Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation’s first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America’s scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation’s first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America’s scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit the Office of Science website.