Network of phase frustrated photon Bose-Einstein condensates

A novel approach to tackling computationally challenging problems involves utilizing a physical system of coupled Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC). The problem of finding a ground state of a network of BECs can be mapped in polynomial time to any problem of the NP-Complete class. In our network, we use photonic BECs (pBECs) [1] which rapidly reach their lowest energy state, typically within a fraction of a nanosecond, after which they can be subjected to interference to extract relative phases. These phases are then interpreted as a solution to the original problem. In our setup, we employ a cavity formed by two highly reflective Bragg mirrors, a dye serving as a thermalizing agent, and a green laser acting as a photon source. Additionally, by nanostructuring [2] one of the mirrors, we achieve transverse confinement of the pBECs. We will present our latest findings on a system of negatively coupled triangular arrangement of pBECs exhibiting spin frustration.

References

[1] J. Klaers, Nature 468, 545-548 (2010).
[2] M. Vretenar, Advanced Optical Materials 11, 2202820 (2023).