Variational Quantum-Based Simulation of Waveguide Modes

TL;DR

This paper introduces a variational quantum algorithm combined with finite difference methods to efficiently compute electromagnetic waveguide modes, demonstrating potential for quantum advantage in photonics simulations.

Contribution

It presents a novel quantum algorithm approach for waveguide mode calculation using variational methods and finite differences, validated through numerical examples.

Findings

Efficient quantum expectation value evaluation for waveguide problems

Successful validation on 2D waveguide numerical examples

Potential for quantum advantage in electromagnetic simulations

Abstract

Variational quantum algorithms are one of the most promising methods that can be implemented on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) machines to achieve a quantum advantage over classical computers. This article describes the use of a variational quantum algorithm in conjunction with the finite difference method for the calculation of propagation modes of an electromagnetic wave in a hollow metallic waveguide. The two-dimensional (2D) waveguide problem, described by the Helmholtz equation, is approximated by a system of linear equations, whose solutions are expressed in terms of simple quantum expectation values that can be evaluated efficiently on quantum hardware. Numerical examples are presented to validate the proposed method for solving 2D waveguide problems.