  Reinforcement learning algorithms are used in a wide range of applications,
from gaming and robotics to autonomous vehicles. In this paper we describe a
set of reinforcement learning-based local weight update rules and their
implementation in superconducting hardware. Using SPICE circuit simulations, we
implement a small-scale neural network with a learning time of order one
nanosecond. This network can be trained to learn new functions simply by
changing the target output for a given set of inputs, without the need for any
external adjustments to the network. In this implementation the weights are
adjusted based on the current state of the overall network response and locally
stored information about the previous action. This removes the need to program
explicit weight values in these networks, which is one of the primary
challenges that analog hardware implementations of neural networks face. The
adjustment of weights is based on a global reinforcement signal that obviates
the need for circuitry to back-propagate errors.
