Quantum neuromorphic computing (QNC) is a novel method that combines quantum computing with brain-inspired neuromorphic computing. Neuromorphic computing performs computations using a complex ensemble of artificial neurons and synapses (i.e., electrical circuits) to emulate the human brain. QNC may lead to a quantum advantage by realizing these components with quantum memory elements, or memelements, which can store and process quantum information within the same device. This research aims to achieve experimental realization of superconducting quantum memelements, which has never been done before. A quantum memcapacitor will be fabricated by depositing and patterning thin aluminum films, and then cooling to cryogenic temperatures to unveil quantum-mechanical properties in highly nonlinear regimes. The success of the device will be demonstrated by measuring a characteristic Lissajous curve with a pinched hysteresis, which is a hallmark of a memelement. A variety of memcapacitor regimes will then be investigated, including two-photon memcapacitive processes, loss and temperature effects. Finally, entanglement between two quantum memcapacitors will be shown theoretically and experimentally, paving the way toward an actual QNC. QNC will lead to new knowledge on quantum technologies by helping develop improved fabrication and quantum machine learning techniques inspired by the brain. Further, investigating the quantum mechanical properties of quantum memelements acting as artificial neurons in dissipative environments may provide further insight into the working principles of the human brain.
Figure 1. Optical images of a typical superconducting quantum device similar to the one investigated in this project.
Related Content
Entangled Photon Orbital Angular Momentum Arrays
Summary Arrays of orbital angular momentum (OAM) states of light are a new form of structured light so far relatively unexplored in quantum information science. Unlike spin angular momentum of light, which is related to light’s polarization and covers two dimensions, OAM states, sometimes described as ‘donut beams’ due to the shape of the field […]
September 19, 2019
A Reformulation of Quantum Game Theory
Summary Classical game theory – conducted at the interface between economics and computer science – has found applications in topics ranging from networking and security to online markets. Despite over 20 years of research into connections between game theory and quantum information, we have yet to see any significant implications of quantum information when applied […]
April 1, 2020
Inverse Photoemission Spectroscopy of Quantum Materials
Summary Quantum materials that exhibit strong electron correlations lead to phenomena, such as superconductivity and topologically protected states, that are important for quantum computation, sensing, and other applications. For example, we may utilize symmetry protected topological states to make qubits that are robust against decoherence, while advances in high temperature superconductors may significantly reduce […]
September 20, 2018
Folk Understanding of Quantum Physics
Summary It is often said that quantum concepts are counterintuitive. However, quantum concepts may not be equally counterintuitive to people from all cultural backgrounds. As cultural psychologists have discovered, culture fundamentally shapes the way people make sense of the world. In particular, the last few decades of research have documented cultural differences in appreciation of […]
March 24, 2021