Paderborn Quantum Phoenix Tool For Light-Matter Simulations
Phoenix: Paderborn University Releases Open-Source Quantum Physics Software Revolutionising Light-Matter Simulations
‘Phoenix’ is a smart and unique open-source software tool developed by Paderborn University scientists. It is predicted to accelerate quantum physics research and quantum technology development.
Phoenix, developed by the Paderborn Centre for Parallel Computing (PC2) and the Institute for Photonic Quantum Systems (PhoQS), allows researchers to simulate light behaviour in quantum systems with unprecedented speed and detail without a deep understanding of HPC. The remarkable results of this development were published in Computer Physics Communications.
Phoenix is designed to solve complex equations that underlie quantum light-matter interactions. This ability is essential for understanding basic quantum phenomena and constructing cutting-edge technology like quantum computers and photonic devices. “More specifically, we are looking here at so-called non-linear Schrödinger and Gross-Pitaevskii equations in two spatial dimensions,” revealed PhoQS Professor Stefan Schumacher, who detailed the software's uses.
Phoenix's accessibility and efficiency are its best features. Phoenix works effectively on laptops and high-performance GPUs because to its creative design, unlike many traditional tools that require specialised hardware or HPC skills. Its energy efficiency of 99.8% and 1,000-fold outperformance of conventional methods were highlighted by Professor Schumacher.
Phoenix is now offered as an open-source tool to scholars worldwide to encourage widespread usage and scientific collaboration. The application is easily accessible to researchers via GitHub. The program, already used to study novel physical processes in uncommon quantum states of light, helps scientists understand and monitor light at the smallest scales.
Phoenix was optimised by advanced quantum photonics and high-performance computing experts working together. “Optimization to the current level was only possible through close cooperation with the HPC experts from PC2,” said research principal author and PhD candidate Jan Wingenbach, confirming this vital connection. Dr. Robert Schade, a research assistant and HPC specialist at PC2, added, “This synergy between cutting-edge research in quantum photonics and high-performance computing has made it possible for us to extend the limits of computing power and capability.”
PAdlerborn University is noted for its HPC expertise because PC2 is its main focus. Long-standing computational science knowledge and cutting-edge facilities are available at the school. The NHR Alliance makes much of its computing capability available to German researchers. At the ISC in Hamburg, an international trade show for high-performance computing, AI, data analytics, and quantum computing, the university's new supercomputer, ‘Otus,’ scored fifth in the ‘Green 500’ ranking of the world's most energy-efficient computing systems. This achievement demonstrates the university's advanced computing dedication.
Meanwhile, PhoQS leads quantum and photonics research worldwide. With an interdisciplinary team spanning Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering, it excels in quantum simulation, communication, metrology, and computing. Paderborn also launched Germany's first light-based quantum computer, PaQS, last year, cementing its quantum technology leadership.
Early Phoenix code iterations enabled quantum photonics breakthroughs. Notable past contributions include:
Simulating optically controlled photonic components in a quantum fluid of matter-light particles. This study achieved controlled switching of optical vortices with TU Dortmund in the Collaborative Research Centre/TRR142.
Supporting basic research on qubits and their macroscopic counterparts.
Considering split-ring polariton condensates as two-level quantum systems.
Research on quantum coherence in polariton condensates enabled ultra-fast, time-resolved tomography of quantum states in complex condensed systems. TRR142 collaborated with TU Dortmund on this.
The team expects Phoenix to become a crucial computational tool for studying novel photonic states and their interactions. Phoenix's entire book should build on these earlier discoveries. PhoQS research, especially hybrid photon-matter-quantum systems and quantum information processing, is expected to benefit greatly from it. Its open-access nature should boost quantum computing and non-linear optics research.
