Boson sampling (BS) is a multimode linear optical problem that is expected to be intractable on classical computers. It was recently suggested that molecular vibronic spectroscopy (MVS) is computationally as complex as BS. In this review, we discuss the correspondence relation between BS and MVS and briefly introduce the experimental demonstrations of the molecular spectroscopic process using quantum devices. The similarity of the two theories results in another BS setup, which is called "vibronic BS". The hierarchical structure of vibronic BS, which includes the original BS and other Gaussian BS, is also explained.
Boson sampling (BS) is a multimode linear optical problem that is expected to be intractable on classical computers. It was recently suggested that molecular vibronic spectroscopy (MVS) is computationally as complex as BS. In this review, we discuss the correspondence relation between BS and MVS and briefly introduce the experimental demonstrations of the molecular spectroscopic process using quantum devices. The similarity of the two theories results in another BS setup, which is called "vibronic BS". The hierarchical structure of vibronic BS, which includes the original BS and other Gaussian BS, is also explained.
Molecular vibroic spectroscopy, where the transitions involve non-trivial Bosonic correlation due to the Duschinsky Rotation, is strongly believed to be in a similar complexity class as Boson Sampling. At finite temperature, the problem is represented as a Boson Sampling experiment with correlated Gaussian input states. This molecular problem with temperature effect is intimately related to the various versions of Boson Sampling sharing the similar computational complexity. Here we provide a full description to this relation in the context of Gaussian Boson Sampling. We find a hierarchical structure, which illustrates the relationship among various Boson Sampling schemes. Specifically, we show that every instance of Gaussian Boson Sampling with an initial correlation can be simulated by an instance of Gaussian Boson Sampling without initial correlation, with only a polynomial overhead. Since every Gaussian state is associated with a thermal state, our result implies that every sampling problem in molecular vibronic transitions, at any temperature, can be simulated by Gaussian Boson Sampling associated with a product of vacuum modes. We refer such a generalized Gaussian Boson Sampling motivated by the molecular sampling problem as Vibronic Boson Sampling.
Boson Sampling represents a class of physical processes potentially intractable for classical devices to simulate. The Gaussian extension of Boson Sampling remains a computationally hard problem, where the input state is a product of uncorrelated Gaussian modes. Besides, motivated by molecular spectroscopy, Vibronic Boson Sampling involves operations that can generate Gaussian correlation among different Boson modes. Therefore, Gaussian Boson Sampling is a special case of Vibronic Boson Sampling. However, this does not necessarily mean that Vibronic Boson Sampling is more complex than Gaussian Boson Sampling. Here we develop a hierarchical structure to show how the initial correlation in Vibronic Boson Sampling can be absorbed in Gaussian Boson Sampling with ancillary modes and in a scattershot fashion. Since every Gaussian state is associated with a thermal state, our result implies that every sampling problem in molecular vibronic transitions, at any temperature, can be simulated by Gaussian Boson Sampling associated with a product of vacuum modes.
Abstract Simulating vibronic spectra is a central task in physical chemistry, offering insight into important properties of molecules. Recently, it has been experimentally demonstrated that photonic platforms based on Gaussian boson sampling (GBS) are capable of performing these simulations. However, whether an actual GBS approach is required depends on the molecule under investigation. To develop a better understanding on the requirements for simulating vibronic spectra, we explore connections between theoretical approximations in physical chemistry and their photonic counterparts. Mapping these approximations into photonics, we show that for certain molecules the GBS approach is unnecessary. We place special emphasis on the linear coupling approximation, which in photonics corresponds to sampling from multiple coherent states. By implementing this approach in experiments, we demonstrate improved similarities over previously reported GBS results for formic acid and identify the particular attributes that a molecule must exhibit for this, and other approximations, to be valid. These results highlight the importance in forming deeper connections between traditional methods and photonic approaches.
The efficient simulation of quantum systems is a primary motivating factor for developing controllable quantum machines.For addressing systems with underlying bosonic structure, it is advantageous to utilize a naturally bosonic platform.Optical photons passing through linear networks may be configured to perform quantum simulation tasks, but the efficient preparation and detection of multiphoton quantum states of light in linear optical systems are challenging.Here, we experimentally implement a boson sampling protocol for simulating molecular vibronic spectra [J.Huh et al., Nat. Photonics 9, 615 (2015)] in a two-mode superconducting device.In addition to enacting the requisite set of Gaussian operations across both modes, we fulfill the scalability requirement by demonstrating, for the first time in any platform, a high-fidelity single-shot photon number resolving detection scheme capable of resolving up to 15 photons per mode.Furthermore, we exercise the capability of synthesizing non-Gaussian input states to simulate spectra of molecular ensembles in vibrational excited states.We show the reprogrammability of our implementation by extracting the spectra of photoelectron processes in H 2 O, O 3 , NO 2 , and SO 2 .The capabilities highlighted in this work establish the superconducting architecture as a promising platform for bosonic simulations, and by combining them with tools such as Kerr interactions and engineered dissipation, enable the simulation of a wider class of bosonic systems.
Abstract Boson Sampling is a task that is conjectured to be computationally hard for a classical computer, but which can be efficiently solved by linear-optical interferometers with Fock state inputs. Significant advances have been reported in the last few years, with demonstrations of small- and medium-scale devices, as well as implementations of variants such as Gaussian Boson Sampling. Besides the relevance of this class of computational models in the quest for unambiguous experimental demonstrations of quantum advantage, recent results have also proposed the first applications for hybrid quantum computing. Here, we introduce the adoption of non-linear photon–photon interactions in the Boson Sampling framework, and analyze the enhancement in complexity via an explicit linear-optical simulation scheme. By extending the computational expressivity of Boson Sampling, the introduction of non-linearities promises to disclose novel functionalities for this class of quantum devices. Hence, our results are expected to lead to new applications of near-term, restricted photonic quantum computers.
Quantum computers, due to their superposition and entanglement properties, provide significant advantages in solving certain problems compared with classical computers. Therefore, it is crucial to identify issues that can be efficiently solved by noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) systems. Xanadu has introduced the X8 quantum chip, based on integrated photonic technology, along with important photonic platforms such as Strawberry Fields and Gaussian Boson Sampling (GBS), to solve specific computational problems. In this review article, after reviewing Boson Sampling (BS) and Gaussian Boson Sampling (GBS), we discuss the relationship between GBS and graph theory, including how graphs can be encoded in GBS. Some applications of GBS, particularly molecular docking and molecular vibrations, are also considered. The future goal of this study is to identify problems that can be represented as small graphs and solved using GBS with a limited number of optical modes.