2019 Physics/Theoretical Colloquium Thursday, Jan 24th , 2019 2019 Physics/Theoretical Colloquium Thursday, Jan 24th , 2019 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Rosen Auditorium (TA-53, Bldg. 1) Refreshments at 3:15pm Speaker: Dr. Rolando Somma T-4: PHYS OF CONDENSED MATTER & COMPLEX SYS LANL “What is quantum computing?” Abstract: Quantum computing is promising. If a large and fault-tolerant quantum computer existed today, it would result in breakthroughs in many disciplines including physics, chemistry, materials discovery, and optimization. To speed computations, quantum computers must take advantage of fundamental properties of quantum mechanics such as superposition, entanglement, and interference. This is not trivial: quantum mechanics can be strange and counterintuitive, so developing fast algorithms that can run on quantum computers requires an entirely a new way of thinking. In this talk, I will provide a summary of what quantum computing is (and is not). I will describe the basics of quantum computing, how quantum algorithms are developed, and how quantum computers can be used to solve physics problems that would be otherwise impossible. I will also comment on the state of the art of technologies for quantum computing and what can be expected. 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.