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arXiv:1902.04237 · International journal of unconventional computing

Applying Quantum Hardware to non-Scientific Problems: Grover's Algorithm and Rule-based Algorithmic Music Composition

Alexis Kirke

Published Feb 2, 2019• 8 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Of all novel computing methods, quantum computation (QC) is currently the most likely to move from the realm of the unconventional into the conventional. As a result some initial work has been done on applications of QC outside of science: for example music. The small amount of arts research done in hardware or with actual physical systems has not utilized any of the advantages of quantum computation (QC): the main advantage being the potential speed increase of quantum algorithms. This paper introduces a way of utilizing Grover's algorithm - which has been shown to provide a quadratic speed-up over its classical equivalent - in algorithmic rule-based music composition. The system introduced - qgMuse - is simple but scalable. Example melodies are composed using qgMuse using the ibmqx4 quantum hardware. The paper concludes with discussion on how such an approach can grow with the improvement of quantum computer hardware and software.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.1902.04237

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Quantum computing is emerging as an alternative computing technology, which is built on the principles of subatomic physics. In spite of continuing progress in developing increasingly more sophisticated hardware and software, access to quantum computing still requires specialist expertise that is largely confined to research laboratories. Moreover, the target applications for these developments remain primarily scientific. This chapter introduces research aimed at improving this scenario. Our research is aimed at extending the range of applications of quantum computing towards the arts and creative applications, music being our point of departure. This chapter reports on initial outcomes, whereby quantum information processing controls an inverse Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) sound synthesizer and an adaptive musical sequencer. A composition called Zeno is presented to illustrate a practical real-world application.
Quantum computing introduces an efficient way for unfolding complex problems on computing systems. It uses concept of superposition and entanglement, & hence supports intrinsic parallelism for obtaining the speedup in context of time over classical computing. Quantum algorithms can be efficiently implemented over quantum computing system. Most popular quantum algorithms like Grover's and Shor's provide a great foundation to specifically design the algorithms. These algorithms work on improving the lower runtime bounds of classical algorithms. Grover's algorithm exhibits a quadratic polynomial speedup while searching an element among `N' elements unstructured database. The algorithmic strategy can be applied over various computer science related applications and some important are being considered in this article i.e. pattern matching, data mining and machine learning. This article explores quantum fundamentals; history based evolution followed by Grover's search algorithm in detail with cascading advantages, limitations & applications and also finally concludes with the significance of quantum computing & quantum algorithmic domains.