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

Building a Three-Dimensional Quantum Lattice Algorithm for Maxwell Equations

George Vahala

Published Jan 1, 2021• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A three-dimensional quantum lattice algorithm (QLA) for electromagnetic wave propagation is being developed by stitching together the individual QLAs for 1D wave propagation in the three orthogonal Cartesian directions.
DOI
10.7910/dvn/tikmjm

Related papers

Building a three-dimensional quantum lattice algorithm for maxwell equations

George Vahala, Linda L. Vahala, Min Soe +1 more

A three-dimensional quantum lattice algorithm (QLA) for electromagnetic wave propagation is being developed by stitching together the individual QLAs for 1D wave propagation in the three orthogonal Cartesian directions

Radiation effects and defects in solids•Nov 1, 2020•4 citations

One and Two Dimensional Quantum Lattice Algorithms for Maxwell Equations in Inhomogeneous Scalar Dielectric Media I: Theory

George Vahala

A quantum lattice algorithm (QLA) is developed for Maxwell equations in scalar dielectric media using the Riemann-Silberstein representation on a Cartesian grid. For x-dependent and y-dependent dielectric inhomogeneities, the corresponding QLA requires a minimum of 8 qubits/spatial lattice site. This is because the corresponding Pauli spin matrices have off-diagonal components which permit the local collisional entanglement of these qubits. However, z-dependent inhomogeneities require a QLA with a minimum of 16 qubits/lattice site since the Pauli spin matrix σz is diagonal. For 2 dimensional inhomogeneities, one can readily couple the 8-8 qubit schemes for x-y variations. z-x and y-z variations can be treated by either a 16-8 qubit scheme or a 16-16 qubit representation.

•Jan 1, 2022•0 citations

One- and two-dimensional quantum lattice algorithms for Maxwell equations in inhomogeneous scalar dielectric media I: theory

George Vahala, Linda L. Vahala, Min Soe +1 more

A quantum lattice algorithm (QLA) is developed for Maxwell equations in scalar dielectric media using the Riemann–Silberstein representation on a Cartesian grid. For x-dependent and y-dependent dielectric inhomogeneities, the corresponding QLA requires a minimum of 8 qubits/spatial lattice site. This is because the corresponding Pauli spin matrices have off-diagonal components which permit the local collisional entanglement of these qubits. However, z-dependent inhomogeneities require a QLA with a minimum of 16 qubits/lattice site since the Pauli spin matrix σz is diagonal. For two-dimensional inhomogeneities, one can readily couple the 8–8 qubit schemes for x−y variations. z−x and y−z variations can be treated by either a 16–8 qubit scheme or a 16–16 qubit representation.

Radiation effects and defects in solids•Feb 1, 2021•12 citations

Some comments on unitary qubit lattice algorithms for classical problems

P. B. Anderson, Lillian Finegold-Sachs, George Vahala +5 more

A qubit lattice algorithm (QLA), which consists of a set of interleaved unitary collision-streaming operators, is developed for electromagnetic wave propagation in tensor dielectric media. External potential operators are required to handle gradients in the refractive indices, and these operators are typically non-unitary but sparse. A similar problem arises in the QLA for the Korteweg–de Vries equation, as the potential operator that models the KdV nonlinear term is also non-unitary. Several QLAs are presented here that avoid the need of this non-unitary potential operator by perturbing the collision operator. These QLAs are fully unitary.

arXiv:2211.16661•Radiation effects and defects in solids•Jan 2, 2023•0 citations

One and Two Dimensional Quantum Lattice Algorithms for Maxwell Equations in Inhomogeneous Scalar Dielectric Media. II: Simulations

Min Soe George Vahala

Long time quantum lattice algorithm (QLA) simulations are performed for the mul- tiple reflection-transmission of an initial electromagnetic pulse propagating normally to a boundary layer region joining two media of different refractive index. For these one dimensional (1D) sim- ulations, there is excellent agreement between x-, y- and z- representations, as well as very good agreement with nearly all the standard plane wave boundary condition results for reflection and transmission off a dielectric discontinuity. In the QLA simulation, no boundary conditions are im- posed at the continuous, but sharply increasing, dielectic boundary layers. Two dimensional (2D) QLA scattering simulations in the x-z plane are performed for an electromagnetic pulse interacting with a conical dielectric obstacle for the 8-16 qubit model.

•Jan 1, 2022•0 citations

Quantum computing perspective for electromagnetic wave propagation in cold magnetized plasmas

Efstratios Koukoutsis, Kyriakos Hizanidis, George Vahala +3 more

Electromagnetic waves are an inherent part of all plasmas—laboratory fusion plasmas or astrophysical plasmas. The conventional methods for studying properties of electromagnetic waves rely on discretization of Maxwell equations suitable for implementing on classical, present day, computers. The traditional methodology is not efficient for quantum computing implementation—a future computational source offering a tantalizing possibility of enormous speed up and a significant reduction in computational cost. This paper addresses two topics relevant to implementing Maxwell equations on a quantum computer. The first is on formulating a quantum Schrödinger representation of Maxwell equations for wave propagation in a cold, inhomogeneous, and magnetized plasma. This representation admits unitary, energy preserving, evolution and conveniently lends itself to appropriate discretization for a quantum computer. Riding on the coattails of these results, the second topic is on developing a sequence of unitary operators which form the basis for a qubit lattice algorithm (QLA). The QLA, suitable for quantum computers, can be implemented and tested on existing classical computers for accuracy as well as scaling of computational time with the number of available processors. In order to illustrate the QLA for Maxwell equations, results are presented from a time evolving, full wave simulation of propagation and scattering of an electromagnetic wave packet by non-dispersive dielectric medium localized in space.

arXiv:2309.12492•Physics of Plasmas•Dec 1, 2023•13 citations
A quantum lattice algorithm (QLA) is developed for Maxwell equations in scalar dielectric media using the Riemann-Silberstein representation on a Cartesian grid. For x-dependent and y-dependent dielectric inhomogeneities, the corresponding QLA requires a minimum of 8 qubits/spatial lattice site. This is because the corresponding Pauli spin matrices have off-diagonal components which permit the local collisional entanglement of these qubits. However, z-dependent inhomogeneities require a QLA with a minimum of 16 qubits/lattice site since the Pauli spin matrix σz is diagonal. For 2 dimensional inhomogeneities, one can readily couple the 8-8 qubit schemes for x-y variations. z-x and y-z variations can be treated by either a 16-8 qubit scheme or a 16-16 qubit representation.
A quantum lattice algorithm (QLA) is developed for Maxwell equations in scalar dielectric media using the Riemann–Silberstein representation on a Cartesian grid. For x-dependent and y-dependent dielectric inhomogeneities, the corresponding QLA requires a minimum of 8 qubits/spatial lattice site. This is because the corresponding Pauli spin matrices have off-diagonal components which permit the local collisional entanglement of these qubits. However, z-dependent inhomogeneities require a QLA with a minimum of 16 qubits/lattice site since the Pauli spin matrix σz is diagonal. For two-dimensional inhomogeneities, one can readily couple the 8–8 qubit schemes for x−y variations. z−x and y−z variations can be treated by either a 16–8 qubit scheme or a 16–16 qubit representation.
A qubit lattice algorithm (QLA), which consists of a set of interleaved unitary collision-streaming operators, is developed for electromagnetic wave propagation in tensor dielectric media. External potential operators are required to handle gradients in the refractive indices, and these operators are typically non-unitary but sparse. A similar problem arises in the QLA for the Korteweg–de Vries equation, as the potential operator that models the KdV nonlinear term is also non-unitary. Several QLAs are presented here that avoid the need of this non-unitary potential operator by perturbing the collision operator. These QLAs are fully unitary.
Long time quantum lattice algorithm (QLA) simulations are performed for the mul- tiple reflection-transmission of an initial electromagnetic pulse propagating normally to a boundary layer region joining two media of different refractive index. For these one dimensional (1D) sim- ulations, there is excellent agreement between x-, y- and z- representations, as well as very good agreement with nearly all the standard plane wave boundary condition results for reflection and transmission off a dielectric discontinuity. In the QLA simulation, no boundary conditions are im- posed at the continuous, but sharply increasing, dielectic boundary layers. Two dimensional (2D) QLA scattering simulations in the x-z plane are performed for an electromagnetic pulse interacting with a conical dielectric obstacle for the 8-16 qubit model.
Electromagnetic waves are an inherent part of all plasmas—laboratory fusion plasmas or astrophysical plasmas. The conventional methods for studying properties of electromagnetic waves rely on discretization of Maxwell equations suitable for implementing on classical, present day, computers. The traditional methodology is not efficient for quantum computing implementation—a future computational source offering a tantalizing possibility of enormous speed up and a significant reduction in computational cost. This paper addresses two topics relevant to implementing Maxwell equations on a quantum computer. The first is on formulating a quantum Schrödinger representation of Maxwell equations for wave propagation in a cold, inhomogeneous, and magnetized plasma. This representation admits unitary, energy preserving, evolution and conveniently lends itself to appropriate discretization for a quantum computer. Riding on the coattails of these results, the second topic is on developing a sequence of unitary operators which form the basis for a qubit lattice algorithm (QLA). The QLA, suitable for quantum computers, can be implemented and tested on existing classical computers for accuracy as well as scaling of computational time with the number of available processors. In order to illustrate the QLA for Maxwell equations, results are presented from a time evolving, full wave simulation of propagation and scattering of an electromagnetic wave packet by non-dispersive dielectric medium localized in space.