MilestoneTheory & algorithmsConfirmed
Feynman proposes computers that run on quantum physics
May 1981
At a conference at MIT's Endicott House, physicist Richard Feynman argues that ordinary computers cannot efficiently simulate nature at the quantum level, and that a computer built on quantum mechanics could.
Why it matters
This talk is widely seen as the starting point of quantum computing. Simulating molecules and materials is still expected to be one of its first truly useful jobs.
Richard Feynman · Caltech · MIT · IBM
Sources (4)
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International Journal of Theoretical Physics
Simulating physics with computers
“Feynman, R.P. Simulating physics with computers. Int J Theor Phys 21, 467–488 (1982).”
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arXiv (Alsing, Cafaro and Mancini)
Feynman's "Simulating Physics with Computers"
“Feynman delivered his seminal lecture "Simulating physics with computers" at the Physics of Computation Conference at the MIT Endicott House in May of 1981.”
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arXiv (John Preskill)
Quantum computing 40 years later
“Forty years ago, Richard Feynman proposed harnessing quantum physics to build a more powerful kind of computer.”
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IBM Research
Celebrating the 40-year anniversary of the Physics of Computation Conference
“Feynman realized that it would take exponential classical resources to simulate the quantum mathematics underlying our universe's behavior.”
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