Automated Search for new Quantum Experiments

TL;DR

This paper introduces Melvin, an algorithm that autonomously discovers novel quantum experiments, including complex entangled states and transformations, surpassing intuitive approaches and enabling new quantum state realizations.

Contribution

The paper presents Melvin, a pioneering algorithm that automates the design of complex quantum experiments, discovering states and transformations beyond intuitive methods.

Findings

First implementation of high-dimensional GHZ state

Discovery of asymmetric entanglement experiments

Identification of new high-dimensional cyclic transformations

Abstract

Quantum mechanics predicts a number of at first sight counterintuitive phenomena. It is therefore a question whether our intuition is the best way to find new experiments. Here we report the development of the computer algorithm Melvin which is able to find new experimental implementations for the creation and manipulation of complex quantum states. And indeed, the discovered experiments extensively use unfamiliar and asymmetric techniques which are challenging to understand intuitively. The results range from the first implementation of a high-dimensional Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state, to a vast variety of experiments for asymmetrically entangled quantum states -- a feature that can only exist when both the number of involved parties and dimensions is larger than 2. Additionally, new types of high-dimensional transformations are found that perform cyclic operations. Melvin autonomously learns from solutions for simpler systems, which significantly speeds up the discovery rate of more complex experiments. The ability to automate the design of a quantum experiment can be applied to many quantum systems and allows the physical realization of quantum states previously thought of only on paper.