Boson Sampling from Gaussian States

TL;DR

This paper introduces a generalized Boson Sampling problem using Gaussian states and proposes a feasible quantum optical processor that could demonstrate quantum advantage over classical computers, potentially leading to practical applications.

Contribution

It presents a new formulation of Boson Sampling with Gaussian states and details a practical quantum optical setup capable of solving it efficiently.

Findings

Strong evidence of classical intractability for the generalized problem

Proposed quantum optical processor uses existing technology

Potential to empirically demonstrate quantum computational advantage

Abstract

We pose a generalized Boson Sampling problem. Strong evidence exists that such a problem becomes intractable on a classical computer as a function of the number of Bosons. We describe a quantum optical processor that can solve this problem efficiently based on Gaussian input states, a linear optical network and non-adaptive photon counting measurements. All the elements required to build such a processor currently exist. The demonstration of such a device would provide the first empirical evidence that quantum computers can indeed outperform classical computers and could lead to applications.