arXiv subjects

Alexander Ploier

Publications and source records attributed to Alexander Ploier.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

The Sound of Entanglement

The advent of quantum physics has revolutionized our understanding of the universe, replacing the deterministic framework of classical physics with a paradigm dominated by intrinsic randomness and quantum correlations. This shift has not only enabled groundbreaking technologies, such as quantum sensors, networks and computers, but has also unlocked entirely new possibilities for artistic expressions. In this paper, we explore the intersection of quantum mechanics and art, focusing on the use of quantum entanglement and inherent randomness as creative tools. Specifically, we present The Sound of Entanglement, a live musical performance driven by real-time measurements of entangled photons in a Bell test. By integrating the measured quantum correlations as a central compositional element and synchronizing live visuals with experimental data, the performance offers a unique and unrepeatable audiovisual experience that relies on quantum correlations which cannot be produced by any classical device. Through this fusion of science and art, we aim to provide a deeper appreciation of quantum phenomena while expanding the boundaries of creative expression.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Tensor Networks or Decision Diagrams? Guidelines for Classical Quantum Circuit Simulation

Classically simulating quantum circuits is crucial when developing or testing quantum algorithms. Due to the underlying exponential complexity, efficient data structures are key for performing such simulations. To this end, tensor networks and decision diagrams have independently been developed with differing perspectives, terminologies, and backgrounds in mind. Although this left designers with two complementary data structures for quantum circuit simulation, thus far it remains unclear which one is the better choice for a given use case. In this work, we (1) consider how these techniques approach classical quantum circuit simulation, and (2) examine their (dis)similarities with regard to their most applicable abstraction level, the desired simulation output, the impact of the computation order, and the ease of distributing the workload. As a result, we provide guidelines for when to better use tensor networks and when to better use decision diagrams in classical quantum circuit simulation.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

The Basis of Design Tools for Quantum Computing: Arrays, Decision Diagrams, Tensor Networks, and ZX-Calculus

Quantum computers promise to efficiently solve important problems classical computers never will. However, in order to capitalize on these prospects, a fully automated quantum software stack needs to be developed. This involves a multitude of complex tasks from the classical simulation of quantum circuits, over their compilation to specific devices, to the verification of the circuits to be executed as well as the obtained results. All of these tasks are highly non-trivial and necessitate efficient data structures to tackle the inherent complexity. Starting from rather straight-forward arrays over decision diagrams (inspired by the design automation community) to tensor networks and the ZX-calculus, various complementary approaches have been proposed. This work provides a look "under the hood" of today's tools and showcases how these means are utilized in them, e.g., for simulation, compilation, and verification of quantum circuits.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Simulation Paths for Quantum Circuit Simulation with Decision Diagrams

Simulating quantum circuits on classical computers is a notoriously hard, yet increasingly important task for the development and testing of quantum algorithms. In order to alleviate this inherent complexity, efficient data structures and methods such as tensor networks and decision diagrams have been proposed. However, their efficiency heavily depends on the order in which the individual computations are performed. For tensor networks the order is defined by so-called contraction plans and a plethora of methods has been developed to determine suitable plans. On the other hand, simulation based on decision diagrams is mostly conducted in a straight-forward, i.e., sequential, fashion thus far. In this work, we study the importance of the path that is chosen when simulating quantum circuits using decision diagrams and show, conceptually and experimentally, that choosing the right simulation path can make a vast difference in the efficiency of classical simulations using decision diagrams. We propose an open-source framework (available at github.com/cda-tum/ddsim) that not only allows to investigate dedicated simulation paths, but also to re-use existing findings, e.g., obtained from determining contraction plans for tensor networks. Experimental evaluations show that translating strategies from the domain of tensor networks may yield speedups of several factors compared to the state of the art. Furthermore, we design a dedicated simulation path heuristic that allows to improve the performance even further -- frequently yielding speedups of several orders of magnitude. Finally, we provide an extensive discussion on what can be learned from tensor networks and what cannot.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Phase-contrast THz-CT for non-destructive testing

A new approach for image reconstruction in THz computed tomography (THz-CT) is presented. Based on a geometrical optics model containing the THz signal amplitude and phase, a novel algorithm for extracting an average phase from the measured THz signals is derived. Applying the algorithm results in a phase-contrast sinogram, which is further used for image reconstruction. For experimental validation, a fast THz time-domain spectrometer (THz-TDS) in transmission geometry is employed, enabling CT measurements within several minutes. Quantitative evaluation of reconstructed 3D printed plastic profiles reveals the potential of our approach in non-destructive testing of plastic profiles.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2020

A mathematical approach towards THz tomography for non-destructive imaging

In this paper, we consider the imaging problem of terahertz (THz) tomography, in particular as it appears in non-destructive testing. We derive a nonlinear mathematical model describing a full THz tomography experiment, and consider linear approximations connecting THz tomography with standard computerized tomography and the Radon transform. Based on the derived models we propose different reconstruction approaches for solving the THz tomography problem, which we then compare on experimental data obtained from THz measurements of a plastic sample.

math.NA↗