arXiv subjects

Zichao Zhao

Publications and source records attributed to Zichao Zhao.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Photonic-Implemented Efficient Deep Quantum Neural Network via Virtual-Driven Hilbert Space Expansion

The growing computational demands of classical neural networks have intensified the search for energy-efficient and powerful computational alternatives. Quantum neural networks (QNNs) implemented on integrated photonic platforms offer a compelling avenue, offering exceptional computational power enhancements, with inherent programmability and scalability of integrated architectures. A critical challenge, however, is implementing the fundamental non-unitary and nonlinear activation function of QNNs within a linear quantum photonic system. Existing strategies, such as the adding ancillary qubits and measurement-based feedback or forward are constrained by high qubit resource costs, overhead devices, and poor cascadability. Here, we propose a novel deep photonic QNN with an expanded computational Hilbert space via input replication and mode expansion, which enables the realization of effective non-unitary and nonlinear activation on a linear programmable quantum photonic chip. This approach eliminates the need for physical ancillary qubits, measurement-induced qubit consumption and the measurement device burden, thereby significantly reduce resource costs. The fabricated chip integrates four high-quality entanglement sources and a programmable high-dimensional interferometric network, enabling a two-hidden-layer QNN that exhibits dimension-enhanced expressivity over the existing QNN architectures. We demonstrate its capabilities across diverse tasks, including nonlinear classification, image generation, and quantum Gibbs state preparation. This work establishes a scalable and efficient architecture toward practical quantum deep learning systems capable of tackling problems beyond the reach of classical computation.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Kolb-Based Experiential Learning for Generalist Agents with Human-Level Kaggle Data Science Performance

Human expertise emerges through iterative cycles of interaction, reflection, and internal model updating, which are central to cognitive theories such as Kolb's experiential learning and Vygotsky's zone of proximal development. In contrast, current AI systems, particularly LLM agents, rely on static pre-training or rigid workflows, lacking mechanisms for continual adaptation. Recent studies identified early cognitive traits in LLM agents (reflection, revision, and self-correction) suggesting foundational elements of human-like experiential learning. Thus the key question: Can we design LLM agents capable of structured, cognitively grounded learning similar to human processes? In response, we propose a computational framework of Kolb's learning cycle with Vygotsky's ZPD for autonomous agents. Our architecture separates extrinsic (environment interaction) and intrinsic (internal reflection/abstraction) functions, enabling cognitively grounded scaffolded learning, where the agent initially learns within structured environments, followed by open-ended generalisation. This approach empowers agents to master complex tasks ; domains that traditional fine-tuning or simple reflective methods could not tackle effectively. Its potential is powerfully demonstrated via direct comparison with humans in real-world Kaggle data science competitions. Learning fully automated data science code generation across 81 tasks, our system, Agent K, demonstrated the ability to perform the entire workflow autonomously, achieving an Elo-MMR score of 1694, beyond median score of the Kaggle Masters (the top 2% among 200,000 users) of our study. With 9 gold, 8 silver, and 12 bronze medals level performance - including 4 gold and 4 silver on prize-awarding competitions - Agent K is the 1st AI system to successfully integrate Kolb- and Vygotsky-inspired human cognitive learning, marking a major step toward generalist AI.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2024

Quantum Generative Adversarial Networks in a Silicon Photonic Chip with Maximum Expressibility

Generative adversarial networks (GANs) have achieved remarkable success with realistic tasks such as creating realistic images, texts, and audio. Combining GANs and quantum computing, quantum GANs are thought to have an exponential advantage over their classical counterparts due to the stronger expressibility of quantum circuits. In this research, a two-qubit silicon quantum photonic chip is created, capable of executing arbitrary controlled-unitary (CU) operations and generating any 2-qubit pure state, thus making it an excellent platform for quantum GANs. To capture complex data patterns, a hybrid generator is proposed to inject nonlinearity into quantum GANs. As a demonstration, three generative tasks, covering both pure quantum versions of GANs (PQ-GAN) and hybrid quantum-classical GANs (HQC-GANs), are successfully carried out on the chip, including high-fidelity single-qubit state learning, classical distributions loading, and compressed image production. The experiment results prove that silicon quantum photonic chips have great potential in generative learning applications.

quant-ph↗