Quantum neural network
Encyclopedia
Quantum neural networks refers to the class of neural network
models, artificial or biological, which rely on principles inspired in some way from quantum mechanics
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Two different classes may be generally distinguished:
Neural network
The term neural network was traditionally used to refer to a network or circuit of biological neurons. The modern usage of the term often refers to artificial neural networks, which are composed of artificial neurons or nodes...
models, artificial or biological, which rely on principles inspired in some way from quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
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Two different classes may be generally distinguished:
- The class of quantum neural networks which explicitly use concepts from quantum computing, such as superpositionQuantum superpositionQuantum superposition is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics. It holds that a physical system exists in all its particular, theoretically possible states simultaneously; but, when measured, it gives a result corresponding to only one of the possible configurations.Mathematically, it...
, interference, entanglementEntanglementEntanglement may refer to:* Quantum entanglement* Orientation entanglement* Entanglement * Entanglement of polymer chains, see Reptation* Wire entanglement...
or qubits and qubit registers. Several authors have published papers on this type of QNN, however most have remained at the purely theoretical level, especially since most proposals require a functional quantum computer to be implemented. Some proposed models are networks where the neuronNeuronA neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
is modeled like a qubitQubitIn quantum computing, a qubit or quantum bit is a unit of quantum information—the quantum analogue of the classical bit—with additional dimensions associated to the quantum properties of a physical atom....
, and quantum associative memory (a quantum equivalent of a Hopfield network). - Models of biological neural networks (e.g. animal and human brains) which use concepts from quantum computing and quantum mechanics to explain the exceptional performance of biological brains as opposed to conventional computing devices, or to explain why humans (and eventually other animals) exhibit consciousness, while current computers do not. See ideas about the quantum mindQuantum mindThe quantum mind or quantum consciousness hypothesis proposes that classical mechanics cannot explain consciousness, while quantum mechanical phenomena, such as quantum entanglement and superposition, may play an important part in the brain's function, and could form the basis of an explanation of...
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