Conference: New Frontiers in Quantum Algorithms for Open Quantum Systems

This award provides support for participants in the workshop New Frontiers in Quantum Algorithms for Open Quantum Systems, to be held January 12-16, 2026 at the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics, UCLA. Quantum computing is a rapidly developing fields that aims to utilize quantum effects to perform complex computations efficiently. Modern day quantum computers can manipulate thousands of qubits (quantum analogs of bits, the elementary units of data storage). A quantum computer is then a quantum system that is controlled and regulated in a precise way to perform a computation. However, this system is not fully isolated from the rest of the world, and thus can be regarded as an open system — one that interacts with the environment. It turns out that this interaction can be leveraged and used to enable quantum computation. Conversely, quantum computers can be potentially used to simulate complex open quantum systems. The study of open quantum systems lies at the intersection of mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, and quantum engineering. From a more mathematical point of view, it also naturally brings together several branches of mathematics, including functional analysis (operator algebra), probability (as open quantum systems are quantum analogs of stochastic processes), applied mathematics, and mathematical physics. The primary goal of this workshop is to address the recent surge of interest in the quantum simulation of open systems, encompassing topics such as Gibbs sampling, ground state preparation, simulation algorithms, error corrections, and non-Markovian effects. This workshop aims to bring together experts from multiple backgrounds working at the forefront of open quantum systems, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and create networking opportunities, particularly for young researchers. More information on the workshop is available at https://www.ipam.ucla.edu/programs/workshops/new-frontiers-in-quantum-algorithms-for-open-quantum-systems/ This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.