Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2504.18694 · PRX Quantum

Experimental Neuromorphic Computing Based on Quantum Memristor

Mirela Selimović, Iris Agresti, Michał Siemaszko, Joshua Morris, Borivoje Dakić, Riccardo Albiero, Andrea Crespi, Francesco Ceccarelli, Roberto Osellame, Magdalena Stobińska, Philip John Walther

Published Aug 21, 2026• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Machine learning has recently developed novel approaches, mimicking the synapses of the human brain to achieve similarly efficient learning strategies. Such a method retains the universality of standard ones, while attempting to circumvent their excessive requirements, which hinder their scalability. In this landscape, quantum (or quantum inspired) algorithms may bring enhancement. However, high-performing neural networks invariably display nonlinear behaviors, which poses a challenge to quantum platforms, given the intrinsically linear evolution of closed systems. We propose a strategy to enhance the nonlinearity achievable in this context, without resorting to entangling gates and report the first neuromorphic architecture based on a photonic quantum memristor. In detail, we show how the memristive feedback loop enhances the nonlinearity and hence the performance of the tested algorithms. We test our model on several tasks, widely recognized to benchmark the performance of (quantum) neuromorphic models. We highlight the essential role of the quantum memristive element and demonstrate the possibility of using it as a building block in more sophisticated networks.

DOI
10.1103/jknv-3tx7

Related papers

Experimental quantum memristor

Michele Spagnolo, Joshua Morris, Simone Piacentini +6 more

Quantum computer technology harnesses the features of quantum physics for revolutionizing information processing and computing. As such, quantum computers use physical quantum gates that process information unitarily, even though the final computing steps might be measurement-based or non-unitary. The applications of quantum computers cover diverse areas, reaching from well-known quantum algorithms to quantum machine learning and quantum neural networks. The last of these is of particular interest by belonging to the promising field of artificial intelligence. However, quantum neural networks are technologically challenging as the underlying computation requires non-unitary operations for mimicking the behavior of neurons. A landmark development for classical neural networks was the realization of memory-resistors, or "memristors". These are passive circuit elements that keep a memory of their past states in the form of a resistive hysteresis and thus provide access to nonlinear gate operations. The quest for realising a quantum memristor led to a few proposals, all of which face limited technological practicality. Here we introduce and experimentally demonstrate a novel quantum-optical memristor that is based on integrated photonics and acts on single photons. We characterize its memristive behavior and underline the practical potential of our device by numerically simulating instances of quantum reservoir computing, where we predict an advantage in the use of our quantum memristor over classical architectures. Given recent progress in the realization of photonic circuits for neural networks applications, our device could become a building block of immediate and near-term quantum neuromorphic architectures.

arXiv:2105.04867•May 11, 2021•5 citations

Nonlinearity of photonic quantum memristors in high-frequency regime

Iris Agresti, Philip John Walther

Over the last decades, the combination of quantum computing and machine learning has opened many possibilities, for example enhancing machine learning algorithms through quantum platforms. However, one of the current challenges consists in combining the linear unitary evolution of closed quantum systems with the nonlinearity required by neural networks, which are currently the most widely used and versatile machine learning algorithms. This issue can now be addressed by a novel photonic tool, the quantum memristor,1 which displays a nonlinear behavior, while preserving quantum coherence, through a weak controlled interaction of its input state with the environment. Here, we show how its operation can be extended to deal with higher frequency modulations of the input and, possibly, with a simplification in its scheme. This method can prove useful for the future implementation of memristor-based quantum neural networks.

Photonics for Quantum (PfQ)•Jul 19, 2022•0 citations

Experimental photonic quantum memristor

Michele Spagnolo, Joshua Morris, Simone Piacentini +6 more

Abstract Memristive devices are a class of physical systems with history-dependent dynamics characterized by signature hysteresis loops in their input–output relations. In the past few decades, memristive devices have attracted enormous interest in electronics. This is because memristive dynamics is very pervasive in nanoscale devices, and has potentially groundbreaking applications ranging from energy-efficient memories to physical neural networks and neuromorphic computing platforms. Recently, the concept of a quantum memristor was introduced by a few proposals, all of which face limited technological practicality. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel quantum-optical memristor (based on integrated photonics) that acts on single-photon states. We fully characterize the memristive dynamics of our device and tomographically reconstruct its quantum output state. Finally, we propose a possible application of our device in the framework of quantum machine learning through a scheme of quantum reservoir computing, which we apply to classical and quantum learning tasks. Our simulations show promising results, and may break new ground towards the use of quantum memristors in quantum neuromorphic architectures.

Nature Photonics•Mar 24, 2022•143 citations

Simulation of memristive synapses and neuromorphic computing on a quantum computer

Ying Li

One of the major approaches to spike-based neuromorphic computing is using memristors as analog synapses.We propose unitary quantum gates that exhibit memristive behaviors, including Ohm's law, pinched hysteresis loop and synaptic plasticity.Hysteresis depending on the quantum phase and long-term plasticity that encodes the quantum state are observed.We also propose a three-layer neural network with the capability of universal quantum computing.Quantum state classification on the memristive neural network is demonstrated.These results pave the way towards quantum spiking neural network built on unitary processes.We obtain these results in numerical simulations and experiments on the superconducting quantum computer ibmq_vigo.

arXiv:2007.09574•Physical Review Research•May 26, 2021•13 citations

Coupled integrated photonic quantum memristors using a single photon source made of a colour center

Alessio Baldazzi, Roy Philip George Konnoth Ancel, Sebastiano Guaraldo +7 more

Photonic quantum memristors provide a measurement-induced route to nonlinear and history-dependent quantum dynamics. Experimental demonstrations have so far focused on isolated devices or simple cascaded devices configurations. Here, we experimentally realize and characterize a network of two coupled photonic quantum memristors with crossed feedback, implemented on a silicon nitride photonic integrated circuit and fed by a room-temperature single-photon source based on a silicon-vacancy color center SiV$^-$ in a nanodiamond. Each memristor consists of an integrated Mach-Zehnder interferometer whose transfer function is adaptively updated by photon detection events on another memristor, thus generating novel non-Markovian input-output dynamics with an enhanced memristive behaviour compared to single devices. In particular, we report inter-memristor input-output hysteresis curves exhibiting larger form factors and displaying self-intersecting loops, respectively revealing marked bistability and self-intersecting hysteresis geometry. Furthermore, numerical simulations show how these features emerge from the interplay between memory depth and relative input phase, for both intra- and inter-memristor input-output relations. We experimentally test the performance of our system in the NARMA task. Our results establish coupled integrated photonic quantum memristors as scalable nonlinear building blocks and highlight their potential for implementing compact quantum neuromorphic and reservoir computing architectures.

quant-pharXiv:2602.14736•Feb 17, 2026•0 citations

Bridging Memory And Quantum Intelligence: A Neuromorphic Approach To Quantum Machine Learning

M Akash Phani Kumar, KPavani, DPrasanna +2 more

One of the most promising approaches to using quantum computing to tackle challenging artificial intelligence issues is quantum machine learning (QML). The majority of QML architectures, however, are constrained by the absence of explicit methods for managing temporal and memory dependencies, which are essential for tasks like signal processing, sequential decision-making and forecasting. By embedding memory through devices like memristors, neuromorphic computing which draws inspiration from the brain's synaptic plasticity-offers a natural solution. In this paper, we propose a conceptual framework for using quantum memristors to incorporate neuromorphic memory into quantum machine learning. We compare the potential benefits over current QML models, suggest a simulation-based experimental design, and assets the extent to which systems could handle sequential data challenges. Our approach contributes towards shaping the emerging paradigm of neuromorphic quantum intelligence.

•Jan 1, 2026•0 citations
Machine learning has recently developed novel approaches, mimicking the synapses of the human brain to achieve similarly efficient learning strategies. Such a method retains the universality of standard ones, while attempting to circumvent their excessive requirements, which hinder their scalability. In this landscape, quantum (or quantum inspired) algorithms may bring enhancement. However, high-performing neural networks invariably display nonlinear behaviors, which poses a challenge to quantum platforms, given the intrinsically linear evolution of closed systems. We propose a strategy to enhance the nonlinearity achievable in this context, without resorting to entangling gates and report the first neuromorphic architecture based on a photonic quantum memristor. In detail, we show how the memristive feedback loop enhances the nonlinearity and hence the performance of the tested algorithms. We test our model on several tasks, widely recognized to benchmark the performance of (quantum) neuromorphic models. We highlight the essential role of the quantum memristive element and demonstrate the possibility of using it as a building block in more sophisticated networks.
Quantum computer technology harnesses the features of quantum physics for revolutionizing information processing and computing. As such, quantum computers use physical quantum gates that process information unitarily, even though the final computing steps might be measurement-based or non-unitary. The applications of quantum computers cover diverse areas, reaching from well-known quantum algorithms to quantum machine learning and quantum neural networks. The last of these is of particular interest by belonging to the promising field of artificial intelligence. However, quantum neural networks are technologically challenging as the underlying computation requires non-unitary operations for mimicking the behavior of neurons. A landmark development for classical neural networks was the realization of memory-resistors, or "memristors". These are passive circuit elements that keep a memory of their past states in the form of a resistive hysteresis and thus provide access to nonlinear gate operations. The quest for realising a quantum memristor led to a few proposals, all of which face limited technological practicality. Here we introduce and experimentally demonstrate a novel quantum-optical memristor that is based on integrated photonics and acts on single photons. We characterize its memristive behavior and underline the practical potential of our device by numerically simulating instances of quantum reservoir computing, where we predict an advantage in the use of our quantum memristor over classical architectures. Given recent progress in the realization of photonic circuits for neural networks applications, our device could become a building block of immediate and near-term quantum neuromorphic architectures.
Over the last decades, the combination of quantum computing and machine learning has opened many possibilities, for example enhancing machine learning algorithms through quantum platforms. However, one of the current challenges consists in combining the linear unitary evolution of closed quantum systems with the nonlinearity required by neural networks, which are currently the most widely used and versatile machine learning algorithms. This issue can now be addressed by a novel photonic tool, the quantum memristor,1 which displays a nonlinear behavior, while preserving quantum coherence, through a weak controlled interaction of its input state with the environment. Here, we show how its operation can be extended to deal with higher frequency modulations of the input and, possibly, with a simplification in its scheme. This method can prove useful for the future implementation of memristor-based quantum neural networks.
Abstract Memristive devices are a class of physical systems with history-dependent dynamics characterized by signature hysteresis loops in their input–output relations. In the past few decades, memristive devices have attracted enormous interest in electronics. This is because memristive dynamics is very pervasive in nanoscale devices, and has potentially groundbreaking applications ranging from energy-efficient memories to physical neural networks and neuromorphic computing platforms. Recently, the concept of a quantum memristor was introduced by a few proposals, all of which face limited technological practicality. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel quantum-optical memristor (based on integrated photonics) that acts on single-photon states. We fully characterize the memristive dynamics of our device and tomographically reconstruct its quantum output state. Finally, we propose a possible application of our device in the framework of quantum machine learning through a scheme of quantum reservoir computing, which we apply to classical and quantum learning tasks. Our simulations show promising results, and may break new ground towards the use of quantum memristors in quantum neuromorphic architectures.
One of the major approaches to spike-based neuromorphic computing is using memristors as analog synapses.We propose unitary quantum gates that exhibit memristive behaviors, including Ohm's law, pinched hysteresis loop and synaptic plasticity.Hysteresis depending on the quantum phase and long-term plasticity that encodes the quantum state are observed.We also propose a three-layer neural network with the capability of universal quantum computing.Quantum state classification on the memristive neural network is demonstrated.These results pave the way towards quantum spiking neural network built on unitary processes.We obtain these results in numerical simulations and experiments on the superconducting quantum computer ibmq_vigo.
Photonic quantum memristors provide a measurement-induced route to nonlinear and history-dependent quantum dynamics. Experimental demonstrations have so far focused on isolated devices or simple cascaded devices configurations. Here, we experimentally realize and characterize a network of two coupled photonic quantum memristors with crossed feedback, implemented on a silicon nitride photonic integrated circuit and fed by a room-temperature single-photon source based on a silicon-vacancy color center SiV−^-− in a nanodiamond. Each memristor consists of an integrated Mach-Zehnder interferometer whose transfer function is adaptively updated by photon detection events on another memristor, thus generating novel non-Markovian input-output dynamics with an enhanced memristive behaviour compared to single devices. In particular, we report inter-memristor input-output hysteresis curves exhibiting larger form factors and displaying self-intersecting loops, respectively revealing marked bistability and self-intersecting hysteresis geometry. Furthermore, numerical simulations show how these features emerge from the interplay between memory depth and relative input phase, for both intra- and inter-memristor input-output relations. We experimentally test the performance of our system in the NARMA task. Our results establish coupled integrated photonic quantum memristors as scalable nonlinear building blocks and highlight their potential for implementing compact quantum neuromorphic and reservoir computing architectures.
One of the most promising approaches to using quantum computing to tackle challenging artificial intelligence issues is quantum machine learning (QML). The majority of QML architectures, however, are constrained by the absence of explicit methods for managing temporal and memory dependencies, which are essential for tasks like signal processing, sequential decision-making and forecasting. By embedding memory through devices like memristors, neuromorphic computing which draws inspiration from the brain's synaptic plasticity-offers a natural solution. In this paper, we propose a conceptual framework for using quantum memristors to incorporate neuromorphic memory into quantum machine learning. We compare the potential benefits over current QML models, suggest a simulation-based experimental design, and assets the extent to which systems could handle sequential data challenges. Our approach contributes towards shaping the emerging paradigm of neuromorphic quantum intelligence.