English

Simulating the classical XY model with a laser network

Optics 2016-08-02 v1 Quantum Physics

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.

Cite

@article{arxiv.1608.00358,
  title  = {Simulating the classical XY model with a laser network},
  author = {Shuhei Tamate and Yoshihisa Yamamoto and Alireza Marandi and Peter McMahon and Shoko Utsunomiya},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1608.00358},
  year   = {2016}
}

Comments

5 pages, 5 figures in main text; 6 pages, 3 figures in supplemental material

R2 v1 2026-06-22T15:08:55.438Z