US 11,736,200 B2 · Combinatorial optimization problem processor and method

Abstract

A combinatorial optimization problem processing device is for associating a combinatorial optimization problem having N elements with an Ising model to process the combinatorial optimization problem. The combinatorial optimization problem processing device includes: a 1×2 Mach-Zehnder optical modulator that receives a polarized clock pulse train; an optical interference circuit that receives polarized clock pulse trains that were modulated by the Mach-Zehnder optical modulator; an optical coupler that couples output of the optical interference circuit with an initialization optical pulse train that creates a neutral state with respect to interactions between the elements; and a modulation signal generator that performs waveform shaping on an electrical signal obtained by photoelectrically converting an output signal of the optical coupler, generates a modulation signal for the Mach-Zehnder optical modulator, and externally outputs a monitor signal that represents a solution to the optimization problem. The optical interference circuit repeatedly allows a predetermined interaction in the Ising model to occur from the neutral state at a period corresponding to the N pulses of the polarized clock pulse train.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A combinatorial optimization problem processing device for associating a combinatorial optimization problem having N elements with an Ising model to process the combinatorial optimization problem, the combinatorial optimization problem processing device comprising:

a 1×2 Mach-Zehnder optical modulator configured to receive a polarized clock pulse train;
an optical interference circuit configured to receive polarized clock pulse trains that were modulated by the Mach-Zehnder optical modulator;
an optical coupler configured to couple output of the optical interference circuit with an initialization optical pulse train that creates a neutral state with respect to interactions between the N elements;
and
a modulation signal generator configured to perform waveform shaping on an electrical signal obtained by photoelectrically converting an output signal of the optical coupler, generate a modulation signal for the 1×2 Mach-Zehnder optical modulator, and externally output a monitor signal that represents a solution to the optimization problem,
wherein the optical interference circuit repeatedly allows a predetermined interaction in the Ising model to occur from the neutral state at a period corresponding to the N pulses of the polarized clock pulse train.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combinatorial optimization problem processor and method

Life of this patent

Combinatorial optimization problem processor and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5