Impact/context

Accurate calculation of stopping power is critical for modeling inertial fusion, a process that could lead to advancements in clean and limitless energy if successfully harnessed and scaled. Enhancing these calculations increases the feasibility and safety of fusion experiments, contributing to the development of sustainable energy technologies.

How quantum could help

First principles calculations are classically challenging because they involve the dynamics of large electronic systems far from equilibrium, with accuracies that are particularly difficult to constrain and assess in the warm-dense conditions preceding ignition. Fault-tolerant quantum computer could help calculate stopping power from a first-quantised representation of the electrons and projectile.

References

Google Quantum AI, Harvard University, Quantum Simulation Technologies Inc., Macquarie University (USA, Australia) (Quantum Simulation)