Attractors and Energy Spectrum of Neural Structures Based on the Model of the Quantum Harmonic Oscillator

Neural computation based on principles of quantum mechanics can provide improved models of memory processes and brain functioning and is of primary importance for the realization of quantum computing machines. To this end, this chapter studies neural structures with weights that follow the model of the quantum harmonic oscillator. The proposed neural networks have stochastic weights which are calculated from the solution of Schrödingers equation under the assumption of a parabolic (harmonic) potential. These weights correspond to diffusing particles, which interact with each other as the theory of Brownian motion (Wiener process) predicts. The learning of the stochastic weights (convergence of the diffusing particles to an equilibrium) is analyzed. In the case of associative memories the proposed neural model results in an exponential increase of patterns storage capacity (number of attractors). It is also shown that conventional neural networks and learning algorithms based on error gradient can be conceived as a subset of the proposed quantum neural structures. Thus, the complementarity between classical and quantum physics is also validated in the field of neural computation.