Crossing a topological phase transition with a quantum computer

Understand

Quantum computers promise to perform computations beyond the reach of modern computers with profound implications for scientific research.

• Due to remarkable technological advances, small scale devices are now becoming available for use.
• One of the most apparent applications for such a device is the study of complex many-body quantum systems, where classical computers are unable to deal with the generic exponential complexity of quantum states.
• Even zero-temperature equilibrium phases of matter and the transitions between them have yet to be fully classified, with topologically protected phases presenting major difficulties.