aspuru-list June 2017

aspuru-list@lists.fas.harvard.edu

15 participants
35 discussions

[Aspuru-Guzik Group List] [qip] TALK: Thursday 06-29-2017 Shalev Ben-David: Thesis Defense: Quantum Speedups in Query Complexity

by calendar＠csail.mit.edu

Shalev Ben-David: Thesis Defense: Quantum Speedups in Query Complexity Speaker: Shalev Ben-David Host: Scott Aaronson Date: Thursday, June 29, 2017 Time: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM Refreshments Time: 2:45 PM Location: G575 Abstract: In this thesis, we study randomized and quantum algorithms in the query complexity model. We investigate when and by how much quantum algorithms provide a speedup over the best possible classical algorithm in the query complexity setting. We introduce a total Boolean function that exhibits a power 2.5 quantum speedup compared to the best possible randomized algorithm. In the process, we introduce the "cheat sheet" method for turning partial Boolean functions into total Boolean functions, and examine some of its other applications. We also study lower bound techniques for randomized algorithms. We introduce a measure called randomized sabotage complexity which lower bounds randomized query complexity and behaves well under compositions. This tool for controlling the randomized query complexity of composed functions combines nicely with the cheat sheet technique, which often features composed functions in its applications. Finally, we characterize the total Boolean functions that exhibit exponential quantum speedups when their domain is restricted to an arbitrarily chosen set. We show that such a "sculpting" of a quantum speedup is possible if and only if the original total function has many inputs with large certificate complexity. Along the way, we also show that functions defined on very small domains or that are very unbalanced can display at most a quadratic quantum speedup. Advisor: Scott Aaronson Committee Members: Aram Harrow and Ryan Williams Relevant URL: For more information please contact: Deborah Goodwin, 617.324.7303, <a href="mailto:dlehto@csail.mit.edu">dlehto(a)csail.mit.edu</a> _______________________________________________ qip mailing list qip(a)mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/qip

6 years, 10 months

[Aspuru-Guzik Group List] [qip] TALK: Wednesday 06-28-2017 Alex Arkhipov: Quantum Computation with Identical Bosons

by calendar＠csail.mit.edu

Alex Arkhipov: Quantum Computation with Identical Bosons Speaker: Alex Arkhipov Host: Scott Aaronson Date: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 Time: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Refreshments Time: 1:45 PM Location: Grier B (34-401B) Abstract: A central goal of quantum complexity theory is to prove the computational advantage of quantum mechanics over classical. This talk will discuss such evidence for linear optical systems. In the BosonSampling model, developed with Scott Aaronson, a fixed number of identical photons are produced in different modes, pass through a network of beamsplitters and phaseshifters, and are measured in number for each output mode. We argue that even this limited system forbids an efficient classical simulation. We discuss obstacles to demonstrating this quantum advantage hands-on with a physical device. Despite the accumulating impact of imprecision, we show the outcome remains accurate if each optical component is accurate to a certain tolerance. A simplistic demonstration of rigging the device towards a single outcome is easily spotted by an adversary looking to forge the result. But, correlations between the network parameters and output probabilities can be used as a sanity check. Moreover, statistics of linear combinations of output counts can be verified classically. Advisor: Scott Aaronson Thesis readers: Aram Harrow (Physics), Ryan Williams (EECS) Relevant URL: For more information please contact: Deborah Goodwin, 617.324.7303, <a href="mailto:dlehto@csail.mit.edu">dlehto(a)csail.mit.edu</a> _______________________________________________ qip mailing list qip(a)mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/qip

6 years, 10 months

[Aspuru-Guzik Group List] [qip] thesis defenses this week - weds, thurs, fri

by Adam Bouland

Dear quanta, Alex, Shalev and I will be defending our theses this week - you are welcome to attend! Alex's defense is Wednesday 6/28 at 2PM in 34-401B Shalev's defense is Thursday 6/29 at 3PM in 32-G575 My defense is Friday 6/30 at 3PM in 32-G575 Hope to see you there! Best, Adam _______________________________________________ qip mailing list qip(a)mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/qip

6 years, 10 months

[Aspuru-Guzik Group List] Fwd: [Huce-faculty] HUCE Graduate Consortium on Energy & Environment - application deadline 6/26 (now accepting both master's and doctoral students)

by Alan Aspuru-Guzik

Alán Aspuru-Guzik | Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Harvard University | 12 Oxford Street, Room M138 | Cambridge, MA 02138 (617)-384-8188 | http://aspuru.chem.harvard.edu | http://about.me/aspuru ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Simms, Eric <esimms(a)fas.harvard.edu> Date: Fri, Jun 23, 2017 at 11:52 AM Subject: [Huce-faculty] HUCE Graduate Consortium on Energy & Environment - application deadline 6/26 (now accepting both master's and doctoral students) To: "huce-faculty(a)lists.fas.harvard.edu" <huce-faculty(a)lists.fas.harvard.edu > Dear HUCE faculty associate – I’m writing with a reminder that the application deadline for the HUCE Graduate Consortium on Energy & Environment is this coming *Monday, June 26th*. We ask that you share this opportunity with your master’s and/or doctoral students, and encourage them to consider applying. The application and additional information can be found on the program website <http://environment.harvard.edu/graduate-consortium>, and any questions can be directed to me. Thanks for the consideration. Best Eric ________________________________ *Eric Simms* *Educational Programs Manager * Harvard University Center for the Environment 26 Oxford St., 4th Floor, Rm. 444B 617.496.0746 <(617)%20496-0746> *From: *"Aziz, Michael J." <maziz(a)harvard.edu> *Date: *Friday, June 9, 2017 at 5:46 PM *To: *"huce-faculty(a)lists.fas.harvard.edu" <huce-faculty(a)lists.fas. harvard.edu> *Cc: *"Simms, Eric" <esimms(a)fas.harvard.edu> *Subject: *Grad Consortium on Energy & Environment applications due 6/26. Now accepting Master's as well as Ph.D. students Dear Colleagues, I wish to call your attention to the opportunity afforded to your graduate students by the Graduate Consortium on Energy and Environment, which is sponsored by the Harvard University Center for the Environment. The program is open to master's and doctoral students enrolled in any of Harvard's graduate schools and, so far, has enrolled over 160 students from 26 departments in 8 schools. It provides a valuable broadening experience. It requires about the equivalent of a semester of full-time study, spread out over 1-2 years, and offers fellowship support (to qualified doctoral students) to offset the time expenditure. These and other benefits are detailed below, along with the program requirements. The application deadline is Monday, June 26, 2017. A flyer is attached, and I encourage you to share it with students and colleagues in your department. *Broadening Perspectives* Through their participation in the Consortium, students have an unparalleled opportunity to actively engage with, and learn from, faculty and other students across a variety of disciplines with an interest in Energy and Environment. Engagement in courses and seminars fosters discussion and provides students with the broad perspectives needed to address the challenges associated with the science, technology and policy of energy and environmental issues. *Eligibility* To apply, students must already be enrolled in one of Harvard's graduate programs, and doctoral students must have completed their first year of study by the time they enter the program (Fall 2017). Space in the program is limited, and priority will be given to doctoral students, if necessary. Among the required materials is a letter from the advisor indicating that the advisor supports the student's application. *Requirements for Completion* - Two energy/environmental courses, consisting of one policy course and one science course: *Policy Courses* The Climate-Energy Challenge (IGA-411) - (H. Lee, J. Holdren) *Prerequisites: TBD* Energy Policy Analysis (API-164) - (J. Aldy) *Prerequisites: Multivariate calculus* Electricity Market Design (API-166) - (W. Hogan) *Prerequisites: API-102, IGA-410 or equivalent; permission of instructor* The Geopolitics of Energy (IGA-412) - (M. O'Sullivan) *Prerequisites: None; permission of instructor* *Science Courses* The Consequences of Energy Systems (E-PSCI 239) - (D. Schrag) *Prerequisites: College-level chemistry and physics; permission of instructor* Survey of Energy Technology / Energy Technology (ES 229 / ES 231) - (M. Aziz) *Prerequisites: A semester of college-level Newtonian mechanics, a semester of single-variable calculus, and chemistry at the level of a good secondary school course; permission of instructor* Some courses have limited enrollment, and most courses have academic prerequisites - students should consider the prerequisites for each course when planning their program eligibility and course of study for the program. Students can propose alternatives to the courses listed above, but are expected to take graduate-level policy and science courses that they would not normally take for their degree. In addition to coursework, students are required to attend a weekly reading and discussion seminar that meets once a week from 12:00-1:30pm during term time, through which they meet a variety of scholars in energy and environment from around the University and discuss materials that they will have read in advance. *Fellowships* Doctoral students accepted into the Consortium are eligible to apply for generous fellowship support provided by the Harvard University Center for the Environment. These funds are intended to offset the time students spend participating in the Consortium, and are awarded during the semesters in which students are actively enrolled in one or more of the required courses. *Conference Travel Funds* In keeping with the spirit of the Consortium, HUCE encourages participating students to interact with other scholars and students beyond the opportunities traditionally available in their primary field of research. Doctoral students are eligible to receive up to $1,000 for expenses related to attending conferences, workshops, or other appropriate professional activities during their time in the program. Best regards, Mike Aziz Faculty Coordinator, HUCE Graduate Consortium on Energy and Environment ___________________________________________________________________________ *Michael J. Aziz* Gene and Tracy Sykes Professor of Materials and Energy Technologies Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Pierce Hall 204a Tel: +1 (617) 495-9884 <(617)%20495-9884> 29 Oxford Street email: maziz(a)harvard.edu Cambridge MA 02138 USA http://aziz.seas.harvard.edu ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Huce-faculty mailing list Huce-faculty(a)lists.fas.harvard.edu To unsubscribe from this list or get other information: https://lists.fas.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/huce-faculty

6 years, 10 months

[Aspuru-Guzik Group List] Oreos in the war room!

by Felixander Negron

*Felixander Negron* *Laboratory Administrator * *Aspuru-Guzik Group* *Harvard University **Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology* *12 Oxford St. M 136* *Cambridge, MA 02138* *P:** (617) 496-9964** F: **617-496-9411*

6 years, 10 months

[Aspuru-Guzik Group List] Fwd: Merck Sponsored CCB Happy Hour

by Alan Aspuru-Guzik

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Kutchukian, Peter S <peter.kutchukian(a)merck.com> Date: Fri, Jun 23, 2017 at 9:39 AM Subject: Merck Sponsored CCB Happy Hour To: Eugene Shakhnovich (shakhn(a)fas.harvard.edu) <shakhn(a)fas.harvard.edu>, Eugene Shakhnovich (shakhnovich(a)chemistry.harvard.edu) < shakhnovich(a)chemistry.harvard.edu>, alan(a)aspuru.com <alan(a)aspuru.com> Hi Eugene and Alan, Merck is sponsoring a happy hour at CCB today from 5-7 pm in the Bauer Courtyard. Perhaps you could pass the word on to your groups? We seem to be constantly recruiting modelers and informaticians, especially out of PhD or Postdoctoral positions. We will also be recruiting postdocs with an anticipated start date of summer 2018. I will be there tonight, as well as a number of other colleagues (chemists, biologists, etc) from Merck. I hope that you are both well, and hope to catch up with you in person in the near future. Cheers, Peter Notice: This e-mail message, together with any attachments, contains information of Merck & Co., Inc. (2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA 07033), and/or its affiliates Direct contact information for affiliates is available at http://www.merck.com/contact/contacts.html) that may be confidential, proprietary copyrighted and/or legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity named on this message. If you are not the intended recipient, and have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and then delete it from your system. -- Alán Aspuru-Guzik | Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Harvard University | 12 Oxford Street, Room M138 | Cambridge, MA 02138 (617)-384-8188 | http://aspuru.chem.harvard.edu | http://about.me/aspuru

6 years, 10 months

[Aspuru-Guzik Group List] [qip] no group meeting tomorrow

by Aram Harrow

Dear quanta, I am away tomorrow so won't be organizing one. Let's aim to have our next meeting on Fri, June 30. -aram _______________________________________________ qip mailing list qip(a)mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/qip

6 years, 10 months

[Aspuru-Guzik Group List] Group meeting, Thu June 22, 3:30 PM, Div Room

by Ian Kivlichan

Hi all, Tomorrow Peter will talk at group meeting. See below for his title and abstract. All the best, Ian ----------------- Title: A digital quantum algorithm for simulating non-Markovian dynamics Abstract: What role does quantum coherence play in the efficiency of photosynthesis? How exactly will the superconducting qubits in a quantum computer decohere? Such quantum systems interact significantly with their environments. So, addressing these questions requires *open quantum system* modeling. To make things more challenging, such systems evolve on time scales that are comparable to the relaxation rates of their environments. Hence, the environment remembers how it was previously altered by the system, and affects the system accordingly. As the environment is not memoryless, the dynamics are said to be “non-Markovian”. Properly solving for non-Markovian dynamics generally requires significant computational resources. One state of the art approach, known as the “hierarchically coupled equations of motion” (HEOM) method, requires computational resources which scale exponentially with the accuracy of the model. Overcoming this inefficiency would enable simulations that could shed light on the questions above. We propose a quantum algorithm inspired by HEOM for simulating such non-Markovian dynamics, which requires just polynomial scaling of resources in certain regimes.

6 years, 10 months

[Aspuru-Guzik Group List] [qip] group meeting tomorrow

by Aram Harrow

Dear quanta, We will meet tomorrow at 11am in 6-310. Saeed will speak. -aram _______________________________________________ qip mailing list qip(a)mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/qip

6 years, 10 months

[Aspuru-Guzik Group List] Fwd: two postdoc positions

by Alan Aspuru-Guzik

6 years, 10 months

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

aspuru-list June 2017