Simulating quantum systems on a quantum computer

Abstract

We show that the time evolution of the wave function of a quantum–mechanical many–particle system can be simulated precisely and efficiently on a quantum computer. The time needed for such a simulation is comparable to the time of a conventional simulation of the corresponding classical system, a performance which can't be expected from any classical simulation of a quantum system. We then show how quantities of interest, like the energy spectrum of a system, can be obtained. We also indicate that ultimately the simulation of quantum field theory might be possible on large quantum computers.