Classical models may be a better explanation of the Jiuzhang 1.0 Gaussian Boson Sampler than its targeted squeezed light model

TL;DR

This paper challenges the quantum advantage claims of Jiuzhang 1.0 by proposing a classical hypothesis that can explain the experimental results, highlighting the need for better validation metrics in Gaussian boson sampling.

Contribution

It introduces a classical hypothesis using mixtures of coherent states, showing that classical models can potentially explain Jiuzhang 1.0 results, questioning the quantum advantage claims.

Findings

Classical hypothesis can mimic Jiuzhang 1.0 results in high photon density regimes

Bayesian and HOG tests favor quantum explanation for Jiuzhang 2.0

Classical models remain plausible for Jiuzhang 1.0, challenging its claimed quantum advantage

Abstract

Recently, Zhong et al. performed landmark Gaussian boson sampling experiments with up to 144 modes using threshold detectors. The authors claim to have achieved quantum computational advantage with the implementation of these experiments, named Jiuzhang 1.0 and Jiuzhang 2.0. Their experimental results are validated against several classical hypotheses and adversaries using tests such as the comparison of statistical correlations between modes, Bayesian hypothesis testing and the Heavy Output Generation (HOG) test. We propose an alternative classical hypothesis for the validation of these experiments using the probability distribution of mixtures of coherent states sent into a lossy interferometer; these input mixed states, which we term squashed states, have vacuum fluctuations in one quadrature and excess fluctuations in the other. We find that for configurations in the high photon number density regime, the comparison of statistical correlations does not tell apart the ground truth of the experiment (two-mode squeezed states sent into an interferometer) from our alternative hypothesis. The Bayesian test indicates that, for all configurations excepting Jiuzhang 1.0, the ground truth is a more likely explanation of the experimental data than our alternative hypothesis. A similar result is obtained for the HOG test: for all configurations of Jiuzhang 2.0, the test indicates that the experimental samples have higher ground truth probability than the samples obtained form our alternative distribution; for Jiuzhang 1.0 the test is inconclusive. Our results provide a new hypothesis that should be considered in the validation of future GBS experiments, and shed light into the need to identify proper metrics to verify quantum advantage in the context of GBS. They also indicate that a classical explanation of the Jiuzhang 1.0 experiment, lacking any quantum features, has not been ruled out.