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Machine learning shows potential to enhance quantum information transfer

Date:
March 22, 2021
Source:
U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Summary:
New researchers demonstrated a machine learning approach that corrects quantum information in systems composed of photons, improving the outlook for deploying quantum sensing and quantum communications technologies on the battlefield.
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Army-funded researchers demonstrated a machine learning approach that corrects quantum information in systems composed of photons, improving the outlook for deploying quantum sensing and quantum communications technologies on the battlefield.

When photons are used as the carriers of quantum information to transmit data, that information is often distorted due to environment fluctuations destroying the fragile quantum states necessary to preserve it.

Researchers from Louisiana State University exploited a type of machine learning to correct for information distortion in quantum systems composed of photons. Published in Advanced Quantum Technologies, the team demonstrated that machine learning techniques using the self-learning and self-evolving features of artificial neural networks can help correct distorted information. This results outperformed traditional protocols that rely on conventional adaptive optics.

"We are still in the fairly early stages of understanding the potential for machine learning techniques to play a role in quantum information science," said Dr. Sara Gamble, program manager at the Army Research Office, an element of U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory. "The team's result is an exciting step forward in developing this understanding, and it has the potential to ultimately enhance the Army's sensing and communication capabilities on the battlefield."

For this research, the team used a type of neural network to correct for distorted spatial modes of light at the single-photon level.

"The random phase distortion is one of the biggest challenges in using spatial modes of light in a wide variety of quantum technologies, such as quantum communication, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensing," said Narayan Bhusal, doctoral candidate at LSU. "Our method is remarkably effective and time-efficient compared to conventional techniques. This is an exciting development for the future of free-space quantum technologies."

According to the research team, this smart quantum technology demonstrates the possibility of encoding of multiple bits of information in a single photon in realistic communication protocols affected by atmospheric turbulence.

"Our technique has enormous implications for optical communication and quantum cryptography," said Omar Magaña Loaiza, assistant professor of physics at LSU. "We are now exploring paths to implement our machine learning scheme in the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative to make it smart, more secure, and quantum."


Story Source:

Materials provided by U.S. Army Research Laboratory. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Narayan Bhusal, Sanjaya Lohani, Chenglong You, Mingyuan Hong, Joshua Fabre, Pengcheng Zhao, Erin M. Knutson, Ryan T. Glasser, Omar S. Magaña‐Loaiza. Front Cover: Spatial Mode Correction of Single Photons Using Machine Learning (Adv. Quantum Technol. 3/2021). Advanced Quantum Technologies, 2021; 4 (3): 2170031 DOI: 10.1002/qute.202170031

Cite This Page:

U.S. Army Research Laboratory. "Machine learning shows potential to enhance quantum information transfer." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 March 2021. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210322112937.htm>.
U.S. Army Research Laboratory. (2021, March 22). Machine learning shows potential to enhance quantum information transfer. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 31, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210322112937.htm
U.S. Army Research Laboratory. "Machine learning shows potential to enhance quantum information transfer." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210322112937.htm (accessed October 31, 2024).

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