Quantum inverse design with NISQ computers: applications in quantum sensing, imaging, and spectroscopy

Inverse design is a computational paradigm that uses classical optimization algorithms to design classical devices with respect to user-defined performance metrics. This paradigm can be generalized to the quantum domain by replacing classical algorithms with quantum algorithms and replacing classical devices with quantum devices. In this talk, I will discuss how the inverse design problem is defined for quantum metrology with applications in quantum sensing, imaging, and spectroscopy. I will also present several variational quantum algorithms that aim to solve the inverse design problem via noisy-intermediate scale quantum (NISQ) computers. Our methodology adds to the list of potential applications for near-term quantum computers, while also presenting a new approach for quantum experimental design relevant to all sciences.