Quantum Computational Sensing

This workshop is co-organized by Monika Aidelsburger, Soonwon Choi, Jon Simon, Dave Schuster, Amir Safavi-Naeini.

Abstract:

Quantum computing and quantum sensing are two key applications of coherent quantum systems. In quantum computing, advantage arises from the development of novel quantum algorithms that outperform state-of-the-art classical methods. In quantum sensing, entanglement among many quantum particles enables measurement sensitivities beyond the standard quantum limit. While these fields have largely progressed in parallel, quantum computational sensing seeks to unite them by harnessing quantum computation to enhance sensing protocols. Advantage is achieved by coherently processing the quantum states generated by individual sensors prior to measurement. Rather than reading out each sensor independently, information is combined within a quantum processor to efficiently extract task-specific features.

This focused three-day workshop will bring together leading experimental and theoretical researchers in quantum computing, sensing, and simulation to identify high-impact sensing challenges and develop novel protocols for demonstrating quantum computational sensing advantage. The concepts explored are broadly applicable across physical platforms and aim to integrate quantum computation with sensing. We anticipate stimulating discussions covering applications ranging from precision metrology to strongly correlated materials.

Project Narrative :

The capabilities of coherent quantum systems have advanced rapidly in recent years. Large-scale platforms now provide access to many individually controllable particles, enabling the preparation of highly tailored entangled states and the coherent manipulation of quantum many-body systems. Combined with advances in error mitigation and quantum error correction, these developments allow quantum information to be processed with increasing fidelity and complexity, paving the way for near-term implementations of quantum computational sensing protocols.

We aim to address key questions and challenges that are relevant across fields and platforms:

- Which kind of sensing tasks benefit most from coherent processing?

- How can quantum algorithms be tailored to be robust to realistic noise sources and how can error mitigation and correction improve sensing performance?

- What are the most promising areas where achieving quantum computational sensing advantage is most meaningful?

- Which near-term demonstrations are feasible on existing hardware?

This workshop will bring together leading experts in quantum information, computing, sensing and simulation to address these challenges. By combining expertise in quantum algorithms, quantum many-body physics, and precision measurement, the program aims to define the state-of-the-art of quantum computational sensing and identify concrete pathways toward first experimental realizations.

Invited Speaker: