Emulation of complex open quantum systems using superconducting qubits

Abstract

With quantum computers being out of reach for now, quantum simulators are the alternative devices for efficient and more exact simulation of problems that are challenging on conventional computers. Quantum simulators are classified into analog and digital, with the possibility of con-structing “hybrid” simulators by combining both techniques. In this paper, we focus on analog quantum simulators of open quantum systems and address the limit that they can beat classical computers. In particular, as an example, we discuss simulation of the chlorosome light-harvesting antenna from green sulfur bacteria with over 250 phonon modes coupled to each electronic state.Furthermore, we propose physical setups that can be used to reproduce the quantum dynamics of astandard and multiple-mode Holstein model. The proposed scheme is based on currently available technology of superconducting circuits consist of flux qubits and quantum oscillators.