Quantum Machine Learning at LMU's QAR-Lab

Abstract:
Quantum Computing, which is based on principles of quantum mechanics and so-called qubits as information units, has become increasingly relevant since the publication of algorithms by Shor and Grover in the 1990s. However, the scientific community has long been concerned with the possibility of a quantum computer, since famous physicist Richard Feynman postulated in his 1982 paper "Simulating Physics with Computers" that in order to simulate a quantum system a quantum computer is required. There are several approaches for such quantum computer architectures, such as Quantum Gate Computing and Adiabatic Quantum Computing. In the meantime, company D-Wave Systems is the first company to have built quantum annealing hardware based on Adiabatic Quantum Computing.
The talk is divided into two parts. First, an understanding of quantum mechanical fundamentals of quantum computing is developed, quantum gate model and adiabatic quantum computing are explained, and finally formalizations and solution methods for (combinatorial) optimization problems are shown. Second, activities of LMU Munich's "Quantum Applications and Research Laboratory" (QAR Lab) are presented. A particular focus is on topics of quantum machine learning.

Short bio:
Dr. Sebastian Feld is head of Quantum Applications and Research Laboratory (QAR Lab) at LMU Munich's Mobile and Distributed Systems Group. Currently, he pursues the goal of habilitation with a main focus being on optimization problems and the application of quantum technology. He joined LMU in 2013 and earned his doctorate in 2018 working on planning of alternative routes, time series analysis and geospatial trajectories. Previously, he has been working as a research associate at the Institute for Internet Security dealing with topics like Internet measurement, identity management and penetration testing. Since his time in Bavaria, Sebastian Feld has coordinated several research projects, including project "Mobile Internet of the Future" funded by Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs and project "Innovation Center Mobile Internet" which is part of Center for Digitalisation Bavaria (Z.DB). Currently he coordinates project "Platform and Ecosystem for Quantum-Supported Artificial Intelligence" funded by Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy.