My Portfolio

Key Achievements

• Adapting to Quantum Computing: Successfully adapted to a new coding paradigm using Python and the Qiskit library, gaining a deeper understanding of quantum physics principles.
• Quantum Circuit Integration: Developed quantum circuits for procedural terrain generation and integrated their results into a Unity-based terrain generator.
• Procedural Terrain Generator: Modified the procedural terrain generator to accept files created by running quantum circuits, enhancing the versatility of terrain generation techniques.
• Flask Integration: Used Flask to queue quantum circuits and read results directly into Unity, showcasing effective cross-platform integration.

Methodology

1. Creation of a Procedural Noise Map Generator in Unity

Developed a procedural noise map generator in Unity to visualize and compare noise maps generated by classical and quantum methods.

• Scripts Used:
  • MapGenerator.cs: Handles noise map generation.
  • TextureGenerator.cs: Converts noise data into textures.
  • MapDisplay.cs: Renders generated maps in Unity.

2. Implementation of Perlin Noise for Comparison

Implemented Perlin noise in Unity to serve as a baseline for comparing with quantum-generated noise maps.

• Script:
  • Noise.cs: Generates Perlin noise maps with customizable parameters for octaves, frequency, persistence, lacunarity, and normalization.

3. Quantum Circuits Development

Set up a development environment using Qiskit within Jupyter Notebook for creating and testing quantum circuits.

• Qiskit: Open-source quantum computing framework developed by IBM.
• Jupyter Notebook: Used for interactive development and visualization of quantum algorithms.

4. Exploration of Quantum Procedural Noise Map Generation

Experimented with various quantum algorithms to generate procedural noise maps.

• Phase Shifts: Implemented gradient, balanced, and custom phase shifts.
• Quantum Walks: Utilized quantum walks to explore multiple paths simultaneously, generating complex noise structures.

5. Visualization and Improvement Trials

Developed visualization techniques to quickly evaluate quantum noise patterns and incorporated noise models to simulate real quantum machine disturbances.

6. Overcoming Challenges with Real Quantum Computers

Used the Qiskit Sampler to execute quantum circuits on IBM’s quantum computers, applying error mitigation techniques to refine the outputs.

Results and Analysis

• Efficiency Comparison: Evaluated the efficiency of classical Perlin noise against quantum methods, highlighting current limitations in quantum computing.
• Output Characteristics: Compared the unique characteristics of terrains generated by classical and quantum methods, showcasing the potential of quantum-generated noise maps.
• Viability and Scalability: Assessed the practical viability of integrating quantum methods into game development workflows.

Conclusion

The dissertation concludes that while quantum methods offer unique attributes, they currently face practical challenges in implementation. Future research should focus on advancing quantum algorithms, developing hybrid methods, and exploring cloud-based quantum computing services to democratize access to quantum resources.

References:
A quantum procedure for map generation. (2020, August 1). IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9231571
A survey of procedural terrain generation techniques using evolutionary algorithms. (2012, June 1). IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/6256610
Algorithms and Approaches for Procedural Terrain Generation – A brief review of current techniques. (2016, September 1). IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7590336/authors#authors
Arute, F., Arya, K., Babbush, R., Bacon, D., Bardin, J. C., Barends, R., Biswas, R., Boixo, S., Brandão, F. G. S. L., Buell, D. A., Burkett, B., Chen, Y., Chen, Z., Chiaro, B., Collins, R., Courtney, W., Dunsworth, A., Farhi, E., Foxen, B., . . . Martinis, J. M. (2019). Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor. Nature, 574(7779), 505–510. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1666-5
Azure Quantum | Azure Quantum Homepage. (n.d.). https://quantum.microsoft.com/
Cho, C., Chen, C., Chen, K., Huang, T., Hsu, M., Cao, N., Zeng, B., Tan, S., & Chang, C. (2021). Quantum computation: Algorithms and Applications. Chinese Journal of Physics/Zhōngguó Wùlǐ Xuékān, 72, 248–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjph.2021.05.001
Cloud Quantum Computing Service – Amazon Braket – AWS. (n.d.). Amazon Web Services, Inc. https://aws.amazon.com/braket/
Google Quantum AI. (n.d.). Google Quantum AI. https://quantumai.google/
IBM Quantum Documentation. (n.d.). IBM Quantum Documentation. https://docs.quantum.ibm.com/
Implementing Grover’s algorithm on the IBM Quantum computers. (2018, December 1). IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8622457
Joo, J., Park, Y. J., Oh, S., & Kim, J. (2003). Quantum teleportation via aWstate. New Journal of Physics, 5, 136. https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/5/1/136
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Schaal, J. (2017). Procedural Terrain Generation. A Case Study from the Game Industry. In Springer eBooks (pp. 133–150). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53088-8_8
Skult, N., & Smed, J. (2021). The marriage of quantum computing and interactive storytelling. In International series on computer entertainment and media technology (pp. 191–206). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81538-7_13
Valencia-Rosado, L. O., & Starostenko, O. (2019). Methods for Procedural Terrain Generation: A review. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 58–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21077-9_6
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Wootton, J. R. (2022). The history of games for (Quantum) computers. In Springer eBooks (pp. 345–367). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95538-0_10
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