Quantum software for linear photonic simulations

TL;DR

This paper introduces advanced complex phase-space simulation software for photonic quantum networks, significantly improving accuracy and scalability in boson sampling experiments, aiding the development of application-specific quantum computers.

Contribution

Develops novel complex phase-space software for simulating photonic networks, reducing errors and enabling scalable assessment of boson sampling devices.

Findings

Sampling errors are orders of magnitude lower than experimental correlations.

Systematic errors in previous algorithms are removed, improving accuracy.

Provides a scalable strategy for assessing boson sampling devices.

Abstract

The search for new, application-specific quantum computers designed to outperform any classical computer is driven by the ending of Moore's law and the quantum advantages potentially obtainable. Photonic networks are promising examples, with experimental demonstrations and potential for obtaining a quantum computer to solve problems believed classically impossible. This introduces a challenge: how does one design or understand such photonic networks? We develop novel complex phase-space software for simulating these photonic networks, and apply this to boson sampling experiments. Our techniques give sampling errors orders of magnitude lower than experimental measurements of correlations, for the same number of samples. We show that these techniques remove systematic errors in previous algorithms for estimating correlations, with order of magnitude improvements in errors in some cases. In addition to that, we obtain a scalable channel-combination strategy for assessment of boson sampling devices.