Quantum computing approaches for ocean acoustic modeling: A parabolic equation solver and a time-dependent wave equation framework

The computational complexity of high-fidelity ocean acoustic simulations presents a significant challenge for classical high-performance computers (HPCs). Recent achievements on quantum computers have indicated the possibility of overcoming these limitations. Two distinct frameworks for applying quantum algorithms to ocean acoustic modeling will be presented in this talk. The first approach investigates the integration of a quantum linear equation solver into the Range-dependent Acoustic Model (RAM), a well-established parabolic equation solver. By replacing the core classical linear algebra routine with its quantum equivalent, we explore a pathway to potential computational speedups for existing and trusted models. The second approach details a method for the direct simulation of the time-dependent acoustic wave equation using Hamiltonian simulations. This involves mapping the acoustic partial differential equation onto a Hamiltonian system of which the temporal evolution can be simulated on a gate-based quantum computer. Possible extensions of these preliminary efforts and future directions will be discussed in the presentation.