Quantum Computation SG Seminar by Alberto Nocera on May 23, 2025

On May 23, 2025, the Quantum Computation Study Group hosted a seminar featuring Dr. Alberto Nocera, an author on the recent Science publication that propelled D-Wave’s quantum annealer into the international spotlight. This event was held online and attracted approximately 30 participants, who engaged actively throughout the session.

Dr. Nocera delivered a highly pedagogical talk introducing the D-Wave quantum annealer and its unique approach to quantum simulation. One of the highlights of his presentation was a clear explanation of why, given the short coherence time in D-Wave’s devices, quantum states cannot adiabatically evolve. Instead, a quench of the quantum states is essential, which presents major simulation challenges for classical computers—especially at large scales. In contrast, D-Wave’s quantum annealer demonstrates the capacity to efficiently scale up such quantum quenches.

The seminar was highly interactive, with numerous questions raised both during and after the presentation. The lively Q&A underscored the community’s keen interest in the future of quantum simulation and the practical capabilities of current quantum hardware.

Overall, Dr. Nocera’s talk provided valuable insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of quantum computation and demonstrated the vital role of quantum annealers in tackling problems beyond the reach of classical computing.

Reported by Ching-Kai Chiu and Shunji Matsuura