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Probabilistic computing and stochastic devices

ORAL

Abstract

Probabilistic computing considers a range of applications, all which share a requirement for a high volume of samples from different probability distributions. For example, modeling some nuclear physics using Monte Carlo codes results in half their run time spent generating uniform pseudo random numbers, and significant computational overhead transforming those numbers to sample relevant distributions. Thus, there is a benefit in connecting the stochasticity of a device to statistical sampling in a way that makes sampling ubiquitous and cheap, in time and energy, which may further motivate the development of algorithms that continue to shift the burden from calculation to sampling. This talk focuses on statistical analysis of device bitstreams based on their ability to generate quality statistical samples. We focus on understanding the implications of these requirements on two promising devices – magnetic tunnel junctions and tunnel diodes. We conclude with resource estimates for circuits capable of efficiently producing samples for large probabilistic calculations.

Presenters

  • Shashank Misra

    Sandia National Laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA

Authors

  • Shashank Misra

    Sandia National Laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA

  • Christopher R Allemang

    Sandia National Laboratories

  • Laura Rehm

    New York University, New York University (NYU), Center for Quantum Phenomena, Department of Physics, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA

  • Andrew D Kent

    New York University, New York University, Department of Physics, Center for Quantum Phenomena, Department of Physics, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA

  • Jean Anne C Incorvia

    The University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas - Austin

  • Leslie C Bland

    Temple University

  • Catherine Schuman

    University of Tennessee - Knoxville

  • Suma G Cardwell

    Sandia National Laboratories

  • J. Darby Smith

    Sandia National Laboratories, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA

  • J. Bradley Aimone

    Sandia National Laboratories