NQN Seminar Series: Hartree-Fock and Quantum Technology

Professor James D. Whitfield, Dartmouth College

Wednesday, January 20, 3:00 PM (Pacific Time)

The Hartree-Fock problem provides the conceptual and mathematical underpinning of a large portion of quantum chemistry. As efforts in quantum technology aim to enhance computational chemistry algorithms, the fundamental Hartree-Fock problem is a natural target. While quantum computers and quantum simulation offer many prospects for the future of modern chemistry, the Hartree-Fock problem is not a likely candidate. Whitfield highlights this fact from a number of perspectives including computational complexity, practical examples, and the full characterization of the energy landscapes for simple systems.

James D. Whitfield is a Professor of Physics at Dartmouth College, and a pioneer in the application of quantum computing to quantum chemistry problems. He received a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from Harvard University. He serves on the scientific advisory board of Zapata, and he is a co-founder and chief scientific advisor at qBraid.

Hosted by the Northwest Quantum Nexus (NQN), a coalition led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Microsoft Quantum, and the University of Washington. These monthly web-based seminars feature experts on quantum computing and its applications, and support NQN’s goal of creating a vibrant industry that will contribute to the economic vitality of the region. For questions, contact diane.stephens@pnnl.gov

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