Quantum Simulation of the Radical Pair Dynamics of the Avian Compass

Abstract

The simulation of open quantum dynamics on quantum circuits has attracted wide interests recently with a variety of quantum algorithms developed and demonstrated. Among these, one particular design of a unitary-dilation-based quantum algorithm is capable of simulating general and complex physical systems. In this paper, we apply this quantum algorithm to simulating the dynamics of the radical pair mechanism in the avian compass. This application is demonstrated on the IBM QASM quantum simulator. This work is the first application of any quantum algorithm to simulating the radical pair mechanism in the avian compass, which not only demonstrates the generality of the quantum algorithm but also opens new opportunities for studying the avian compass with quantum computing devices.

Characterizing quantum circuits with qubit functional configurations

“…The development of quantum algorithms with efficient quantum circuits has been a central part of quantum computation, which has seen enormous progress in the last 30 years in both the theoretical and experimental fronts . Over the years, numerous quantum algorithms have been developed targeting a great variety of applications: these include the phase estimation algorithm 23 , Shor's factorization algorithm 24 , the Harrow-Hassidim-Lloyd algorithm for linear systems 25 , the hybrid classical-quantum algorithms [26][27][28][29] , the quantum machine learning algorithms 30,31 , and quantum algorithms for open quantum dynamics [32][33][34][35][36][37] .…”

Hamiltonian simulation of quantum beats in radical pairs undergoing thermal relaxation on near-term quantum computers

“…the environment, are not measured at the end of the circuit and therefore traced out. A recent study by Zhang et al, 59 demonstrates a general quantum algorithm to simulate open system dynamics by utilizing the Sz.-Nagy dilation of the Kraus operators. However, in this study we showcase a special case of the general theoretical framework and utilize the unitary dilations of the infinite temperature amplitude damping and dephasing channels, which work well for quantum beats systems as discussed above.…”

Simulating Open Quantum System Dynamics on NISQ Computers with Generalized Quantum Master Equations

“…Recent advances in quantum computing have enabled the development of numerous algorithms for electronic structure calculations − and simulations of quantum dynamics of closed quantum systems. − However, relatively few studies have explored the simulation of open quantum system dynamics. − These studies have been mostly based on Lindblad-type quantum master equations (QMEs), which ensure complete positivity and conservation of probability but rely on the Markov and Born approximations in the system–bath weak coupling limit . With the aim of developing a more general approach, here we introduce a quantum algorithm based on the generalized quantum master equation (GQME), which corresponds to the formally exact equation of motion (EoM) for an open quantum system.…”