Leiden University Scholarly Publications

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Barthe, A.M. (2026)

Quantum methods for machine learning and classical dynamics

Doctoral Thesis
All the data stored and processed by our computers is encoded as sequences of zeros and ones, called bits. Quantum computers offer an alternative to this traditional way of encoding and manipulating information. The information in a collection of qubits can be a combination, also called a superposition, over many possible sequences of zeros and ones. Where classical computation consists of flipping zeros and ones, quantum computation consists of manipulating high-dimensional vectors called quantum states. Researchers have found ways to use this to engineer quantum algorithms that solve some tasks much faster than any classical computer would. These are called quantum advantages, and are proven for specific tasks, such as breaking some encryption schemes and solving certain large linear systems. 
The goal of this thesis was to find new tasks for which quantum computers provably have an advantage over classical computers. In this thesis, I present two such advantages and...Show moreAll the data stored and processed by our computers is encoded as sequences of zeros and ones, called bits. Quantum computers offer an alternative to this traditional way of encoding and manipulating information. The information in a collection of qubits can be a combination, also called a superposition, over many possible sequences of zeros and ones. Where classical computation consists of flipping zeros and ones, quantum computation consists of manipulating high-dimensional vectors called quantum states. Researchers have found ways to use this to engineer quantum algorithms that solve some tasks much faster than any classical computer would. These are called quantum advantages, and are proven for specific tasks, such as breaking some encryption schemes and solving certain large linear systems. 
The goal of this thesis was to find new tasks for which quantum computers provably have an advantage over classical computers. In this thesis, I present two such advantages and associated results. The first one revolves around a physically relevant learning task. In other words, I explore how quantum computers can be used to help solve specialized machine learning tasks. The second one addresses the simulation of classical systems. One of the first high-potential and natural uses of quantum computers was the simulation of quantum systems. A lot of real-world problems, however, are ruled by classical physics.  It turns out that quantum computers are well suited for the simulation of some exponentially large classical systems. In this thesis, I add a new problem to this list.
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All authors
Barthe, A.M.
Supervisor
Dunjko, V.
Co-supervisor
Tura Brugués, J.
Committee
Molen, S.J. van der; Beenakker, C.W.J.; Holmes, Z.; Kiriienko, O.; Wallden, P.
Qualification
Doctor (dr.)
Awarding Institution
Leiden Institute of Physics (LION), Faculty of Science, Leiden University
Date
2026-03-20
DOI
doi:10.60602/1887-4297482