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Canonical quantization of a memristive leaky integrate-and-fire neuron circuit

Dean Brand1,2,*, Domenica Dibenedetto3,†, and Francesco Petruccione2,4,‡

  • *Contact author: dean.brand@nithecs.ac.za
  • †Contact author: domenica.dibenedetto@maastrichtuniversity.nl
  • ‡Contact author: francesco.petruccione@nithecs.ac.za
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 013131 – Published 5 February, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/y61v-2bxf

Abstract

We present a theoretical framework for a quantized memristive Leaky Integrate-and-Fire (LIF) neuron, uniting principles from neuromorphic engineering and open quantum systems. Starting from a classical memristive LIF circuit, we apply canonical quantization techniques to derive a quantum model grounded in circuit quantum electrodynamics. Numerical simulations demonstrate key dynamical features of the quantized memristor and LIF neuron in the weak-coupling and adiabatic regime, including memory effects and spiking behavior. Applications of this model to a sound localization benchmark show that it outperforms a phenomenological quantum LIF model as well as a classical LIF. This work establishes a foundational model for quantum neuromorphic computing, offering a pathway toward biologically inspired quantum spiking neural networks and paradigms in quantum machine learning.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 013131– Published 5 February, 2026
  • Received 11 July 2025
  • Accepted 17 November 2025
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