Quantum information science and M-theory

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential computational power of quantum computers compared to hypothetical "superstring" computers and the implications of M-theory on computational models. Participants explore the theoretical limits and capabilities of these models in simulating physical systems, touching on concepts from quantum information science and string theory.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether there could be computers more powerful than quantum computers, suggesting the idea of "superstring" computers and referencing a talk by Preskill that implies M-theory may offer a more powerful computational model due to its nonlocality.
  • Another participant recalls that some string theory models are computationally powerful and seeks references or papers related to this claim.
  • A different participant discusses the efficiency of quantum computers in simulating quantum systems compared to classical computers, citing a paper by Andrew Steane that outlines the limitations of both types of computers in simulating certain physical systems.
  • This participant also questions whether "string" computers exist and asks for examples of physical systems that quantum computers cannot simulate efficiently.
  • A later reply expresses concern that the discussion has become overly speculative, emphasizing the need for a well-established theoretical basis for practical applications and noting that multiple string theories exist.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the speculative nature of the discussion, with some exploring the theoretical possibilities of superstring computers while others caution against speculation without established theories.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the challenges in discussing unverified theories and the limitations of current computational models, indicating a dependence on the definitions and understanding of string theory and quantum computing.

Boris Leykin
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Hello.
I've got childish question.
I know that quantum computers are more effective than classical ones
in solving some problems. Naturally, a thought have come to me: are
there computers which are more effective than quantum ones, maybe
some "Superstring" computers? And maybe there are computers which
are more effective than Superstring computers? And so foth, ad infinitum.:smile:
I tried to search on the Internet for "superstring computers" with no result.
Accidentally on the http://www.theory.caltech.edu/people/preskill/"
I've found http://www.theory.caltech.edu/~preskill/talks/berkeley_jp_may02.pdf" .
Here are Preskill's words from this talk:
"Can a quantum computer simulate M theory efficiently? Perhaps not,
because of M-theory inherent nonlocality. E.g., a quantum system
described by M-theory may have no natural tensor product
decomposition into smaller systems. Thus, M-theory may be a more
powerful computational model."

So I decided to ask you, what do you think about all this?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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I remember that somebody did point out that some String theory models are computationally ridiculously powerful.
Anybody remember which paper that was, or remembers something else that might be a lead to finding it?
 
Hi :)
I peeped into ask what is the progress?
:rolleyes: Oh! Why it is so difficult to invent "string" computer I can't understand :smile:
http://lanl.arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/9708022" Andrew Steane says:
"7.1 Simulation of physical systems

The first and most obvious application of a QC is that
of simulating some other quantum system. To simulate
a state vector in a 2^n-dimensional Hilbert space, a clas-
sical computer needs to manipulate vectors containing
of order 2^n complex numbers, whereas a quantum com-
puter requires just n qubits, making it much more effi-
cient in storage space. To simulate evolution,in general
both the classical and quantum computers will be inef-
ficient. A classical computer must manipulate matrices
containing of order 2^(2n) elements, which requires a num-
ber of operations (multiplication, addition) exponen-
tially large in n, while a quantum computer must build
unitary operations in 2^n-dimensional Hilbert space,
which usually requires an exponentially large num-
ber of elementary quantum logic gates. Therefore the
quantum computer is not guaranteed to simulate every
physical system efficiently. However, it can be shown
that it can simulate a large class of quantum systems
efficiently, including many for which there is no effi-
cient classical algorithm, such as many-body systems
with local interactions."

"To simulate evolution,in general both the classical and quantum computers will be inefficient."
Does he mean that "string" computers really exist?
"Therefore the quantum computer is not guaranteed to simulate every physical system efficiently."
Don't you know what are those systems? Can you give an example of one such system, please?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
This thread is getting to be too highly-speculative, even for this particular forum.

Please note that the reason why we can talk about "quantum computers" is because it is based on a well-established theory that has been verified to no end. That is how we can make applications out of something. We cannot make applications out of something that is still unverified and not understood. Not only that, there isn't JUST ONE string/superstring theory.

Please re-read the PF Guidelines that you have agreed to, especially on overly-speculative post. This thread is done.

Zz.
 

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