Quantum simulation using variational techniques

Abstract: The advent of quantum computing has created novel opportunities for the direct simulation of quantum systems on quantum hardware. However, in the near term, quantum devices will possess limited scope due to noise and size limitations. Due in part to these constraints, variational algorithms have gained popularity as a powerful yet economical alternative to traditional digital quantum computation.

In this talk, I will discuss two variational frameworks, parameterized quantum circuits and tensor networks. For each method I will give an overview followed by some results in specific applications, such as preparing critical Ising model ground states and simulating SU(2) lattice gauge theory in one spatial dimension.