Quantum Algorithm Providing Exponential Speed Increase for Finding Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

We describe a new polynomial time quantum algorithm that uses the quantum fast Fourier transform to find eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a local Hamiltonian, and that can be applied in cases (commonly found in ab initio physics and chemistry problems) for which all known classical algorithms require exponential time. Applications of the algorithm to specific problems are considered, and we find that classically intractable and interesting problems from atomic physics may be solved with between 50 and 100 quantum bits.