Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HEISINGBERG (Spatial Quantum Optical Annealer for Spin Hamiltonians)
Reporting period: 2023-11-01 to 2024-10-31
The HEISINGBERG Project stands at the cutting edge of computational innovation, redefining the approach of building photonic quantum annealers in a rapidly advancing technological landscape. HEISINGBERG aims to pioneer the next generation of quantum and quantum-inspired computation, where the integration of quantum mechanics and photonics enables unprecedented scalability, efficiency, and accessibility. As the demand for solving NP-hard optimization problems grows across industries, HEISINGBERG aims to address the critical limitations of current quantum computational systems, particularly in connectivity and scalability. Central to its vision is the Photonic XY Annealer, a revolutionary platform that bridges the gap between traditional quantum systems and the need for practical, sustainable solutions. By leveraging Spatial Photonic Ising Machines (SPIMs) and quantum principles, HEISINGBERG seeks to provide a computational framework capable of operating efficiently at room temperature, thus offering a sustainable and scalable alternative to conventional quantum computing. HEISINGBERG’s cloud-accessible platform democratizes access to quantum tools, fostering breakthroughs across diverse stakeholders spanning from academia to industry. The project not only transforms computational methodologies but also redefines the value chain in optimization technology, positioning dynamic and scalable photonic systems as a key driver of innovation. The project’s impact will be demonstrated through real-world applications, including solving various NP-hard optimization problems. These use cases highlight the platform’s versatility and validate its potential to meet the demands of scientific and industrial stakeholders. Additionally, HEISINGBERG prioritizes sustainability by designing energy-efficient systems, addressing global environmental challenges associated with high-performance computing. HEISINGBERG goes beyond technological innovation, driving systemic change by addressing gaps in current computational paradigms and standards. By aligning with sustainability goals and integrating advanced quantum mechanics principles, the project aims to establish a transformative path toward scalable and accessible quantum and quantum-inspired computation, setting a new benchmark for excellence in the field.
During the first year, several key activities has performed towards achieving the core objectives and milestones of the HEISINGBERG project, advancing its goal of developing a comprehensive photonic quantum annealer solution.
1) HEISINGBERG Architecture initial design: The design of HEISINGBERG’s architecture encompasses both the software design of the control library and the development of the portal. During the first year, key stakeholders were identified, and the functional and non-functional requirements were thoroughly defined to guide the development process.
2) Experimental SPIM configurations: Three distinct experimental configurations were developed by the experimental partners, SAP, FORTH, and QUBI, to advance the experimental capabilities and progress of the HEISINGBERG machine. SAP's efforts are centered on implementing the vector-matrix multiplication scheme, FORTH is dedicated to transitioning the system to the quantum regime, and QUBI, as the industrial partner, focuses on prototyping and practical implementation
3) Encoding schemes: Two encoding schemes for the parameters of the Ising Hamiltonian were designed and developed, effectively overcoming the current limitations of SPIMs in addressing Ising Hamiltonians with a full-rank interaction matrix. These advancements significantly improve the system's scalability and address connectivity challenges, paving the way for more robust and versatile computational capabilities.
4) Control algorithms: During the first year, various control and optimization algorithms were designed and developed to streamline both the control and optimization processes. Among these, some algorithms were specifically tailored to enhance the operation of SPIMs, while others, inspired by physical principles, were created to serve as benchmarking tools for evaluating system performance.
5) Quantum Upgrade : Significant advancements were achieved in both theoretical and experimental domains. On the theoretical front, progress was made in describing SLM-modulated quantum light states and exploring quantum measurement techniques. Meanwhile, the experimental efforts concentrated on developing quantum light sources based on heralded photons and refining methods for their efficient detection in the context of SPIM.
6) Control Software prototype: As an initial step in designing the complete software stack, the first release of the control software library was made available to consortium users as part of an iterative design process. This library integrates multiple functionalities, including hardware control, algorithms, and Hamiltonian objects, enabling users to conduct experiments in an efficient and effective manner
1) HEISINGBERG Architecture initial design: The design of HEISINGBERG’s architecture encompasses both the software design of the control library and the development of the portal. During the first year, key stakeholders were identified, and the functional and non-functional requirements were thoroughly defined to guide the development process.
2) Experimental SPIM configurations: Three distinct experimental configurations were developed by the experimental partners, SAP, FORTH, and QUBI, to advance the experimental capabilities and progress of the HEISINGBERG machine. SAP's efforts are centered on implementing the vector-matrix multiplication scheme, FORTH is dedicated to transitioning the system to the quantum regime, and QUBI, as the industrial partner, focuses on prototyping and practical implementation
3) Encoding schemes: Two encoding schemes for the parameters of the Ising Hamiltonian were designed and developed, effectively overcoming the current limitations of SPIMs in addressing Ising Hamiltonians with a full-rank interaction matrix. These advancements significantly improve the system's scalability and address connectivity challenges, paving the way for more robust and versatile computational capabilities.
4) Control algorithms: During the first year, various control and optimization algorithms were designed and developed to streamline both the control and optimization processes. Among these, some algorithms were specifically tailored to enhance the operation of SPIMs, while others, inspired by physical principles, were created to serve as benchmarking tools for evaluating system performance.
5) Quantum Upgrade : Significant advancements were achieved in both theoretical and experimental domains. On the theoretical front, progress was made in describing SLM-modulated quantum light states and exploring quantum measurement techniques. Meanwhile, the experimental efforts concentrated on developing quantum light sources based on heralded photons and refining methods for their efficient detection in the context of SPIM.
6) Control Software prototype: As an initial step in designing the complete software stack, the first release of the control software library was made available to consortium users as part of an iterative design process. This library integrates multiple functionalities, including hardware control, algorithms, and Hamiltonian objects, enabling users to conduct experiments in an efficient and effective manner
The HEISINGBERG Project is poised to make a transformative impact on the emerging field of quantum and quantum-inspired computation, addressing critical challenges in scalability, connectivity, and accessibility. With the computational optimization market experiencing rapid growth and demand across industries such as logistics, finance, and artificial intelligence, HEISINGBERG’s innovative framework offers solutions that extend beyond the current capabilities of photonic quantum systems. Key advancements include the development of encoding schemes to handle Ising Hamiltonians with full-rank interaction matrices, addressing critical scalability limitations; the implementation of gain-based optimization algorithms for dynamic energy landscape navigation; and the creation of a Photonic XY Annealer capable of room-temperature operation, providing a sustainable and practical alternative to existing paradigms. Additionally, HEISINGBERG incorporates benchmarking algorithms to validate its efficiency and innovative quantum light sources for exploring quantum advantages. HEISINGBERG is also designing an open-access, cloud-based platform to democratize access to quantum-inspired computational tools. This initiative emphasizes collaboration and community engagement, fostering a robust ecosystem for scientific and industrial applications. The roadmap includes a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and iterative software development strategy, supported by the project consortium, ensuring broad adoption, quality assurance, and long-term sustainability.