NTT Research and Tohoku University Work Together on Quantum Machines
NTT Research and Tohoku University are teaming up to explore exciting advancements in quantum technology. Their focus is on creating Coherent Ising Machines (CIMs). These innovative machines aim to solve complex problems more effectively by using the unique properties of quantum mechanics.
Key Findings
The researchers recently published a paper detailing how single-photon CIMs can turn fragile quantum entanglement into reliable classical correlations. This approach could make solving problems even more efficient.
Some highlights from their research:
- The team discovered that a single-photon CIM performs significantly better than conventional CIMs that use more photons.
- By analyzing a combinatorial clustering problem, they showed the strengths of their approach.
According to a study by Nature, quantum computing could outpace classical computing by 2030, reshaping industries from finance to healthcare.
The Research Collaboration
This partnership officially started in 2023. Hiroaki Kobayashi, a professor at Tohoku University, leads the initiative. The focus will be on designing a large-scale CIM that can tackle tough computational issues, like NP-complete problems.
Yoshihisa Yamamoto, head of NTT’s Physics and Informatics Lab, believes this research will create energy-efficient machine learning systems. By combining quantum optical techniques with digital platforms, they are on the path to developing a large-scale CIM simulator.
An Unanticipated Outcome
One of the surprising findings of their simulations was that the performance of the single-photon CIM surpassed expectations. Traditional views suggested that fewer photons would lead to lower performance. However, the simulations showed that the opposite was true, marking a significant breakthrough in how we understand quantum devices.
How It Works
The key to the single-photon CIM’s success lies in quantum mechanics. A crucial component is an extraction beam splitter that creates a correlation between internal and measured pulses. This correlation, despite potential background noise, enables the single-photon CIM to leverage quantum entanglement effectively.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, NTT Research and Tohoku University aim to translate these theoretical advancements into real-world applications. The goal is to develop simulation environments that can offer quick, energy-efficient solutions to complex industrial challenges.
About NTT Research
NTT Research is situated in Silicon Valley and aims to drive innovation in four main areas: quantum information, cybersecurity, health informatics, and artificial intelligence. The organization invests heavily in research to keep pushing the boundaries of technology and science.
To learn more about their work, you can visit NTT Research.