Work

Simulating Nonlinear Radiation Diffusion Through Quantum Computing

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The recent success of the fusion ignition experiment at Lawrence-Livermore National Laboratory has renewed excitement for inertial confinement fusion. Designing such experiments relies on computational modeling using radiation hydrodynamic codes run on massively parallel supercomputers which simulate hydrodynamic flows, radiation diffusion, and thermonuclear burn. Constructing a quantum algorithm for radiation hydrodynamics that provides a quantum speedup is of great interest. A recent quantum algorithm that solves the Navier-Stokes equations of hydrodynamics with a quadratic speedup marks a first step towards this goal. Here we take the next step and present a quantum algorithm for nonlinear radiation diffusion that also has a quadratic speedup. To verify the algorithm we consider radiation striking a cold, optically thick target that generates a Marshak wave in the target. Results of numerical simulation of the quantum algorithm are compared with those of a standard partial differential equation solver and excellent agreement is found.

Source: International Journal of Theoretical Physics

DOI: 10.1007/s10773-024-05800-x

Authors: Frank Gaitan, Frank Graziani, Max D. Porter

Institutions: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture

Subfield: Artificial Intelligence

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,090

Funder: U.S. Department of Energy