Modeling quantum light interference on a quantum computer
Anton N. Vetlugin, Cesare Soci, Nikolay I. Zheludev · Applied Physics Letters · 2022
Modeling of photonic devices traditionally involves solving the equations of light–matter interaction and light propagation. Here, we demonstrate an alternative modeling methodology by reproducing the optical device functionality using a quantum computer. As an illustration, we simulate the quantum interference of light on a thin absorbing film. Such interference can lead to either perfect absorption or total transmission of light through the film, the phenomena attracting attention for data processing applications in classical and quantum information networks. We map the behavior of the photon in the interference experiment to the evolution of a quantum state of transmon, a superconducting charge qubit of the IBM quantum computer. Details of the real optical experiment are flawlessly reproduced on the quantum computer. We argue that the superiority of this methodology shall be apparent in modeling complex multi-photon optical phenomena and devices.