Advancements in quantum computing through machine learning may offer more efficient error correction, mitigating the complexity and sensitivity issues plaguing qubits. This approach using simpler qubit encodings shows promise for real-world quantum computing applications.
Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing have used machine learningMachine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) that deals with the development of algorithms and statistical models that enable computers to learn from data and make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed to do so. Machine learning is used to identify patterns in data, classify data into different categories, or make predictions about future events. It can be categorized into three main types of learning: supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning.” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{“attribute”:”data-cmtooltip”, “format”:”html”}]”>machine learning to perform error correction for quantum computers—a crucial step for making these devices practical—using an autonomous correction system that despite being approximate, can efficiently determine how best to make the necessary corrections.
In contrast to classical computers, which operate on bits that can only take the basic values 0 and 1, quantum computers operate on “qubits,” which can assume any superposition of the computational basis states. In combination with quantum entanglement, another quantum characteristic that connects different qubits beyond classical means, this enables quantum computers to perform entirely new operations, giving rise to potential advantages in some computational tasks, such as large-scale searches, optimization problems, and cryptography.
Challenges in Quantum Computing
The primary obstacle in putting quantum computers into practice stems from the extremely fragile nature of quantum superpositions. Indeed, tiny perturbations induced, for instance, by the ubiquitous presence of an environment give rise to errors that rapidly destroy quantum superpositions and, as a consequence, quantum computers lose their edge.
Advancements in Quantum Error Correction
To overcome this challenge, sophisticated methods for quantum error correction have been developed. While they can, in theory, successfully neutralize the effect of errors, they often come with a massive overhead in device complexity, which itself is error-prone and thus potentially even increases the exposure to errors. As a consequence, full-fledged error correction has remained elusive.
In this work, the researchers leveraged machine learning in a search for error correction schemes that minimize the device overhead while maintaining good error correcting performance. To this end, they focused on an autonomous approach to quantum error correction, where a cleverly designed, artificial environment replaces the necessity to perform frequent error-detecting measurements. They also looked at “bosonic qubit encodings,” which are, for instance, available and utilized in some of the currently most promising and widespread quantum computingPerforming computation using quantum-mechanical phenomena such as superposition and entanglement.” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{“attribute”:”data-cmtooltip”, “format”:”html”}]”>quantum computing machines based on superconducting circuits.
Leveraging Machine Learning in Quantum Research
Finding high-performing candidates in the vast search space of bosonic qubit encodings represents a complex optimization task, which the researchers address with reinforcement learning, an advanced machine learning method, where an agent explores a possibly abstract environment to learn and optimize its action policy. With this, the group found that a surprisingly simple, approximate qubit encoding could not only greatly reduce the device complexity compared to other proposed encodings, but also outperformed its competitors in terms of its capability to correct errors.
Yexiong Zeng, the first author of the paper, says, “Our work not only demonstrates the potential for deploying machine learning towards quantum error correction, but it may also bring us a step closer to the successful implementation of quantum error correction in experiments.”
According to Franco Nori, “Machine learning can play a pivotal role in addressing large-scale quantum computation and optimization challenges. Currently, we are actively involved in a number of projects that integrate machine learning, artificial neural networks, quantum error correction, and quantum fault tolerance.”
Reference: “Approximate Autonomous Quantum Error Correction with Reinforcement Learning” by Yexiong Zeng, Zheng-Yang Zhou, Enrico Rinaldi, Clemens Gneiting and Franco Nori, 31 July 2023, Physical Review LettersPhysical Review Letters (PRL) is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Physical Society. It is one of the most prestigious and influential journals in physics, with a high impact factor and a reputation for publishing groundbreaking research in all areas of physics, from particle physics to condensed matter physics and beyond. PRL is known for its rigorous standards and short article format, with a maximum length of four pages, making it an important venue for rapid communication of new findings and ideas in the physics community.” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{“attribute”:”data-cmtooltip”, “format”:”html”}]”>Physical Review Letters.
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.131.050601
Source: SciTechDaily
