Conceptual understanding through efficient inverse-design of quantum optical experiments

One crucial question within artificial intelligence research is how this technology can be used to discover new scientific concepts and ideas. We present Theseus, an explainable AI algorithm that can contribute to science at a conceptual level. This work entails four significant contributions. (i) We introduce an interpretable representation of quantum optical experiments amenable to algorithmic use. (ii) We develop an inverse-design approach for new quantum experiments, which is orders of magnitudes faster than the best previous methods. (iii) We solve several crucial open questions in quantum optics, which is expected to advance photonic technology. Finally, and most importantly, (iv) the interpretable representation and drastic speedup produce solutions that a human scientist can interpret outright to discover new scientific concepts. We anticipate that Theseus will become an essential tool in quantum optics and photonic hardware, with potential applicability to other quantum physical disciplines.