Simulating the classical XY model with a laser network

2016/08/01 by Shuhei Tamate, Y. Yamamoto, Tamate, Shuhei +7
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications #Neural Networks and Reservoir Computing #Optics (physics.optics) #Quantum Physics (quant-ph) #Quantum chaos and dynamical systems

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1608.00358

openalex publication_date 2016/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Drawing fair samples from the Boltzmann distribution of a statistical model is a challenging task for modern digital computers. We propose a physical implementation of a Boltzmann sampler for the classical XY model by using a laser network. The XY spins are mapped onto the phases of multiple laser pulses in a fiber ring cavity and the steady-state distribution of phases naturally realizes the Boltzmann distribution of the corresponding XY model. We experimentally implement the laser network by using an actively mode-locked fiber laser with optical delay lines, and demonstrate Boltzmann sampling for a one-dimensional XY ring.

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