Explore a cutting-edge lecture on quantum simulation techniques for condensed matter systems using Trotterized entanglement renormalization. Delve into the presentation by Thomas Barthel of Duke University, delivered at IPAM's Tensor Networks Workshop. Discover a variational quantum eigensolver based on the multi-scale entanglement renormalization ansatz (MERA) and gradient-based optimization, suitable for implementation on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices. Learn about the algorithm's ability to describe large systems with a system-size independent number of qubits, and its potential for quantum advantage in simulating critical spin models. Examine the practical implementation of MERA using Trotterized disentanglers and isometries, and understand how this approach recovers the accuracy of full MERA with just a few Trotter steps. Gain insights into experimental tests on ion-trap devices and the advantages of isometric tensor networks like MERA in avoiding barren plateaus during variational energy optimization. Read more