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Can a quantum computer be applied for numerical weather prediction?

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Abstract

The paper considers fundamental limitations that impede the growth of performance of supercomputers based on silicon transistors and do not allow satisfying the needs of developing numerical weather and climate prediction models. A brief review of studies dealing with the development of quantum computing algorithms and with the creation of real quantum computers is provided. The shift from pure science to engineering solutions is observed. The leaders of the computer industry set the goal of creating a general-purpose quantum computer in the next few years. It is proved that the applicability of quantum computations and quantum computers for solving the problems of numerical weather and climate prediction should be preliminarily studied and assessed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring, Novovagan’kovskii per. 8, Moscow, 123995, Russia

    A. V. Frolov

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  1. A. V. Frolov
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Correspondence to A. V. Frolov.

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Original Russian Text © A.V. Frolov, 2017, published in Meteorologiya i Gidrologiya, 2017, No. 9, pp. 12–23.

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Frolov, A.V. Can a quantum computer be applied for numerical weather prediction?. Russ. Meteorol. Hydrol. 42, 545–553 (2017). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068373917090011

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