Hybrid Quantum-Classical Scheme Solves Electric Field Integral Equation for Larger Electromagnetic Problems

Electromagnetic simulations often demand immense computational resources, particularly when modelling complex, large-scale structures, and conventional methods struggle with the associated memory requirements. Rui Chen, Teng-Yang Ma, and Meng-Han Dou, alongside Chao-Fu Wang from Nanjing University of Science and Technology and Origin Quantum Computing Technology, now present a novel approach that combines the strengths of both quantum and classical computing to overcome these limitations. Their work demonstrates, for the first time, a hybrid quantum-classical scheme capable of solving the electric field integral equation for analysing electromagnetic scattering from arbitrarily shaped, three-dimensional objects. By strategically preconditioning the problem and employing iterative techniques, the team achieves a significant reduction in computational complexity, offering a promising pathway towards simulating increasingly large and intricate electromagnetic scenarios that were previously intractable.

Researchers successfully demonstrated a method to analyze electromagnetic scattering from complex three-dimensional objects, overcoming limitations in traditional classical computing approaches for large-scale problems. The team achieved this by first designing a preconditioned linear system and then employing a double-layer iterative strategy, utilizing quantum algorithms to solve smaller, more manageable sub-problems. The results indicate that the computational complexity of the hybrid scheme, particularly when using the VQLS quantum algorithm, is lower than that of conventional fast solvers used in classical computing.

This suggests the potential for significant improvements in analyzing large-scale electromagnetic problems, which are increasingly important in various engineering applications. The team meticulously analyzed the theoretical time complexity of the hybrid scheme, confirming its potential to outperform conventional fast solvers. Numerical experiments, conducted using both a statevector quantum simulator and a real quantum computer, demonstrated the accuracy and efficiency of the hybrid scheme in solving the electric field integral equation. This innovative approach overcomes the limitations of previous quantum algorithms, which were restricted by the size of solvable matrix equation systems, and opens new possibilities for simulating complex electromagnetic scenarios.

Hybrid Quantum-Classical Scheme for Electromagnetic Scattering

Scientists developed a novel hybrid quantum-classical scheme to address the computational bottlenecks encountered when solving electromagnetic scattering problems involving complex, three-dimensional objects. The study pioneers a method for analyzing electromagnetic fields reflected from perfect electrically conducting objects of arbitrary shape, overcoming limitations inherent in traditional classical computing approaches. Researchers recognized that solving the electric field integral equation, a core component of these simulations, demands substantial memory as problem size increases, hindering the analysis of large-scale scenarios. To circumvent this, the team engineered a two-layer iterative strategy.

The external layer constructs reduced-dimension subspace matrix equation systems, effectively decreasing the computational burden. This preconditioned system is then passed to the internal layer, where quantum algorithms are employed to solve the smaller, more manageable systems. Two prominent quantum algorithms, the Harrow-Hassidim-Lloyd (HHL) algorithm and the variational quantum linear solver (VQLS), were implemented and tested on both quantum simulators and actual quantum computer platforms. This approach leverages the inherent “parallelization” advantage of quantum computing, stemming from the principles of superposition and entanglement, to achieve significant gains in efficiency. The team’s work represents a significant step towards harnessing the power of quantum computing for practical applications in computational electromagnetics, paving the way for more accurate and efficient simulations of electromagnetic phenomena. This establishes a pathway for utilizing near-term quantum computers to tackle previously intractable electromagnetic problems.