Modeling quantum light interference on a quantum computer
Modeling quantum light interference on a quantum computer
Modeling of photonic devices traditionally involves solving the equations of light–matter interaction and light propagation. Here, we demonstrate an alternative modeling methodology by reproducing the optical device functionality using a quantum computer. As an illustration, we simulate the quantum interference of light on a thin absorbing film. Such interference can lead to either perfect absorption or total transmission of light through the film, the phenomena attracting attention for data processing applications in classical and quantum information networks. We map the behavior of the photon in the interference experiment to the evolution of a quantum state of transmon, a superconducting charge qubit of the IBM quantum computer. Details of the real optical experiment are flawlessly reproduced on the quantum computer. We argue that the superiority of this methodology shall be apparent in modeling complex multi-photon optical phenomena and devices.
Vetlugin, Anton N.
1b65651a-11ab-4db9-a0a7-ecc7f97e93e3
Soci, Cesare
38b2dc9e-77d4-4e3e-9308-40ee93d61e7a
Zheludev, Nikolay I.
32fb6af7-97e4-4d11-bca6-805745e40cc6
6 September 2022
Vetlugin, Anton N.
1b65651a-11ab-4db9-a0a7-ecc7f97e93e3
Soci, Cesare
38b2dc9e-77d4-4e3e-9308-40ee93d61e7a
Zheludev, Nikolay I.
32fb6af7-97e4-4d11-bca6-805745e40cc6
Vetlugin, Anton N., Soci, Cesare and Zheludev, Nikolay I.
(2022)
Modeling quantum light interference on a quantum computer.
Applied Physics Letters, 121 (10), [104001].
(doi:10.1063/5.0103361).
Abstract
Modeling of photonic devices traditionally involves solving the equations of light–matter interaction and light propagation. Here, we demonstrate an alternative modeling methodology by reproducing the optical device functionality using a quantum computer. As an illustration, we simulate the quantum interference of light on a thin absorbing film. Such interference can lead to either perfect absorption or total transmission of light through the film, the phenomena attracting attention for data processing applications in classical and quantum information networks. We map the behavior of the photon in the interference experiment to the evolution of a quantum state of transmon, a superconducting charge qubit of the IBM quantum computer. Details of the real optical experiment are flawlessly reproduced on the quantum computer. We argue that the superiority of this methodology shall be apparent in modeling complex multi-photon optical phenomena and devices.
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Accepted/In Press date: 12 August 2022
Published date: 6 September 2022
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 500454
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/500454
ISSN: 0003-6951
PURE UUID: 73e5c96c-dc00-472f-b7b9-919ad030cae5
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Date deposited: 30 Apr 2025 16:39
Last modified: 22 Aug 2025 01:37
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Contributors
Author:
Anton N. Vetlugin
Author:
Cesare Soci
Author:
Nikolay I. Zheludev
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