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Journal of New Music Research

Testing a hybrid hardware quantum multi-agent system architecture that utilizes the quantum speed advantage for interactive computer music

Alexis Kirke

Published Apr 13, 2020• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

This paper introduces MIq (Multi-Agent Interactive qgMuse), which builds on the single agent quantum system qgMuse using teleportation. MIq is the first attempt at a real-time interactive quantum computer music algorithm that utilises the quantum advantage. Previous interactive or real-time quantum music algorithms running on quantum computers have been mappings of classical computing algorithms, with no quantum advantage obtained. MIq provides a quadratic speed-up over classical methods. It is a Quantum Hybrid Multi-agent System architecture implemented on 5 and 14 qubit quantum hardware. Classical agents and quantum agents connect via a classical/quantum hybrid agent that enables communication using quantum teleportation.

DOI
10.1080/09298215.2020.1749672

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This paper introduces MIq (Multi-Agent Interactive qgMuse), which builds on the single agent quantum system qgMuse using teleportation. MIq is the first attempt at a real-time interactive quantum computer music algorithm that utilises the quantum advantage. Previous interactive or real-time quantum music algorithms running on quantum computers have been mappings of classical computing algorithms, with no quantum advantage obtained. MIq provides a quadratic speed-up over classical methods. It is a Quantum Hybrid Multi-agent System architecture implemented on 5 and 14 qubit quantum hardware. Classical agents and quantum agents connect via a classical/quantum hybrid agent that enables communication using quantum teleportation.
This paper introduces an interactive music system with quantum musical agents that communicate by teleporting quantum states to one another. Human performers interact in real time with agents whose melodic and rhythmic behaviours are encoded as quantum states using Single Qubit Probability Amplitude Modulation (SQPAM) and structured through Quantum Phase Estimation (QPE). Up to three agents are combined within a single quantum circuit, with directed communication via quantum teleportation. We are interested in supporting ambiguous, transformative interactions reminiscent of free Jazz improvisation. Therefore, rather than treating noise and decoherence as limitations, the system embraces NISQ-era constraints as creative affordances, framing agent communication as quantum whispers, that is, deliberate, musically expressive imperfections in state transfer. We provide demonstrations and analyses based on melodic correlation, pitch-set distance, and state fidelity, where a continuum between imitation and divergence can be observed. We developed a tunable interpretation method to assess how agents reinterpret teleported states. This work positions teleportation as a promising interaction mechanism for agent-based quantum computer music and outlines future directions toward distributed ensembles connected via the Quantum Internet.
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.
Previous research on quantum computing/mechanics and the arts has usually been in simulation. The small amount of work done in hardware or with actual physical systems has not utilized any of the advantages of quantum computation: 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. It lays some groundwork for new ways of addressing a significant problem in computer music research: unstructured random search for desired music features. Example melodies are composed using qgMuse using the ibmqx4 quantum hardware, and the paper concludes with discussion on how such an approach can grow with the improvement of quantum computer hardware and software.
There have been significant attempts previously to use the equations of quantum mechanics for generating sound, and to sonify simulated quantum processes. For new forms of computation to be utilized in computer music, eventually hardware must be utilized. This has rarely happened with quantum computer music. One reason for this is that it is currently not easy to get access to such hardware. A second is that the hardware available requires some understanding of quantum computing theory. This paper moves forward the process by utilizing two hardware quantum computation systems: IBMQASM v1.1 and a D-Wave 2X. It also introduces the ideas behind the gate-based IBM system, in a way hopefully more accessible to computerliterate readers. This is a presentation of the first hybrid quantum computer algorithm, involving two hardware machines. Although neither of these algorithms explicitly utilize the promised quantum speed-ups, they are a vital first step in introducing QC to the musical field. The article also introduces some key quantum computer algorithms and discusses their possible future contribution to computer music.
Multi-Agent Path Finding (MAPF) focuses on determining conflict-free paths for multiple agents navigating through a shared space to reach specified goal locations. This problem becomes computationally challenging, particularly when handling large numbers of agents, as frequently encountered in practical applications like coordinating autonomous vehicles. Quantum Computing (QC) is a promising candidate in overcoming such limits. However, current quantum hardware is still in its infancy and thus limited in terms of computing power and error robustness. In this work, we present the first optimal hybrid quantum-classical MAPF algorithms which are based on branch-andcut-and-price. QC is integrated by iteratively solving QUBO problems, based on conflict graphs. Experiments on actual quantum hardware and results on benchmark data suggest that our approach dominates previous QUBO formulationsand state-of-the-art MAPF solvers.
Abstract The multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm is a well-established method to evaluate the direction of arrival (DOA) of signals. However, the construction and eigen-decomposition of the sample covariance matrix (SCM) are computationally costly for MUSIC in hybrid multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems, which limits the application and advancement of the algorithm. In this paper, we present a novel quantum method for MUSIC in hybrid MIMO systems. Our scheme makes the following three contributions. First, the quantum subroutine for constructing the approximate SCM is designed, along with the quantum circuit for the steering vector and a proposal for quantum singular vector transformation. Second, the variational density matrix eigensolver is proposed to determine the signal and noise subspaces utilizing the destructive swap test. As a proof of principle, we conduct two numerical experiments using a quantum simulator. Finally, the quantum labelling procedure is explored to determine the DOA. The proposed quantum method can potentially achieve exponential speedup on certain parameters and polynomial speedup on others under specific moderate circumstances, compared with their classical counterparts.