Hallam, Andrew;
(2019)
Tensor network descriptions of quantum entanglement in path integrals, thermalisation and machine learning.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
Preview |
Text
ThesisFinal.pdf - Accepted Version Download (9MB) | Preview |
Abstract
One of the major ways in which quantum mechanics differs from classical mechanics is the existence of special quantum correlations - entanglement. Typical quantum states are highly entangled, making them complex and inefficient to represent. Physically interesting states are unusual, they are only weakly entangled. By restricting ourselves to weak entanglement, efficient representations of quantum states can be found. A tensor network is constructed by taking objects called tensors that encode spatially local information and gluing them together to create a large network that describes a complex quantum state. The manner in which the tensors are connected defines the entanglement structure of the quantum state. Tensors networks are therefore a natural framework for describing physical behaviour of complex quantum systems. In this thesis we utilize tensor networks to solve a number of interesting problems. Firstly, we study a Feynman path integral written over tensor network states. As a sum over classical trajectories, a Feynman path integral can struggle to capture entanglement. Combining the path integral with tensor networks overcomes this.We consider the effect of quadratic fluctuations on the tensor network path integral and calculate corrections to observables numerically and analytically. We also study the time evolution of complex quantum systems. By projecting quantum dynamics onto a classical phase space defined using tensor networks, we relate thermal behaviour of quantum systems to classical chaos. In doing so we demonstrate a relationship between entanglement growth and chaos. By studying the dynamics of coupled quantum chains we also gain insight into how quantum correlations spread over time. As noted, tensor networks are remarkably efficient. In the final section of this thesis we use tensor networks to create compressed machine learning algorithms. Their efficiency means that tensor networks can use $50$ times fewer parameters with no significant decrease in performance.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | Tensor network descriptions of quantum entanglement in path integrals, thermalisation and machine learning |
| Event: | UCL |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2019. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10068928 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
