Probabilistic Computing with p-Bits : Between a Bit and a q-Bit

16th September 2020

Timing : 1 pm EST

For zoom link to the talks, please email mjgc@mit.edu with your institute email and mention affiliation


For a list of all talks at the NanoBio seminar Series 2020, see here


Digital computing is based on a deterministic bit with two values, 0 and 1. On the other hand, quantum computing is based on a q-bit which is a delicate superposition of 0 and 1. This talk draws attention to something in-between namely, a p-bit which is a robust classical entity fluctuating between 0 and 1. We have demonstrated experimentally that these p-bits can be built with existing technology to operate at room temperature and used as building blocks for constructing autonomous p-circuits. We argue that such p-circuits can function as hardware accelerators for many applications that use stochastic algorithms, while providing a bridge to the emerging field of quantum computing.