Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1001.0354

Topological Quantum Information, Khovanov Homology and the Jones Polynomial

Louis Hirsch Kauffman

Published Jan 4, 2010• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

In this paper we give a quantum statistical interpretation for the bracket polynomial state sum and for the Jones polynomial. We use this quantum mechanical interpretation to give a new quantum algorithm for computing the Jones polynomial. This algorithm is useful for its conceptual simplicity, and it applies to all values of the polynomial variable that lie on the unit circle in the complex plane. Letting C(K) denote the Hilbert space for this model, there is a natural unitary transformation U from C(K) to itself such that = where |F> is a sum over basis states for C(K). The quantum algorithm arises directly from this formula via the Hadamard Test. We then show that the framework for our quantum model for the bracket polynomial is a natural setting for Khovanov homology. The Hilbert space C(K) of our model has basis in one-to-one correspondence with the enhanced states of the bracket state summmation and is isomorphic with the chain complex for Khovanov homology with coefficients in the complex numbers. We show that for the Khovanov boundary operator d defined on C(K) we have the relationship dU + Ud = 0. Consequently, the unitary operator U acts on the Khovanov homology, and we therefore obtain a direct relationship between Khovanov homology and this quantum algorithm for the Jones polynomial. The formula for the Jones polynomial as a graded Euler characteristic is now expressed in terms of the eigenvalues of U and the Euler characteristics of the eigenspaces of U in the homology. The quantum algorithm given here is inefficient, and so it remains an open problem to determine better quantum algorithms that involve both the Jones polynomial and the Khovanov homology.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.1001.0354

Related papers

Topological quantum information, virtual Jones polynomials and Khovanov homology

Louis Hirsch Kauffman

In this paper, we give a quantum statistical interpretation of the bracket polynomial state sum K , the Jones polynomial V K (t) and virtual knot theory versions of the Jones polynomial, including the arrow polynomial.We use these quantum mechanical interpretations to give new quantum algorithms for these Jones polynomials.In those cases where the Khovanov homology is defined, the Hilbert space C(K ) of our model is isomorphic with the chain complex for Khovanov homology with coefficients in the complex numbers.There is a natural unitary transformation U: C(K ) → C(K ) such that K = Trace(U ), where K denotes the evaluation of the state sum model for the corresponding polynomial.We show that for the Khovanov boundary operator ∂: C(K ) → C(K ), we have the relationship ∂U + U ∂ = 0. Consequently, the operator U acts on the Khovanov homology, and we obtain a direct relationship between the Khovanov homology and this quantum algorithm for the Jones polynomial.

New Journal of Physics•Dec 9, 2011•4 citations

Quantum algorithms for the Jones polynomial and Khovanov homology

Louis Hirsch Kauffman, Samuel J. Lomonaco

This paper generalizes the AJL algorithm for quantum computation of the Jones polynomial to continuous ranges of values on the unit circle for the Jones parameter and shows that the Kauffman-Lomonaco 3-strand algorithm for the Jones polynomial is a special case of this generalization. We then describe a quantum algorithm for the Jones polynomial that is related to Khovanov homology.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•May 1, 2012•0 citations

Possible universal quantum algorithms for generalized Khovanov homology and the Rasmussen's invariant

Mario E. Vélez, Juan Ospina

Possible quantum algorithms for generalized Khovanov homology and the Rasmussen's invariant are proposed. Such algorithms are resulting from adaptations of the recently proposed Kauffman's algorithm for the standard Khovanov homology. The method that was applied consists in to write the relevant quantum invariant as the trace of a certain unitary operator and then to compute the trace using the Hadamard test. We apply such method to the quantum computation of the Jones polynomial, HOMFLY polynomial, Chromatic polynomial, Tutte polynomial and Bollobàs- Riordan polynomial. These polynomials are quantum topological invariants for knots, links, graphs and ribbon graphs respectively. The Jones polynomial is categorified by the standard Khovanov homology and the others polynomials are categorified by generalized Khovanov homologies, such as the Khovanov-Rozansky homology and the graph homologies. The algorithm for the Rasmussen's invariant is obtained using the gauge theory; and the recently introduced program of homotopyfication is linked with the super-symmetric quantum mechanics. It is claimed that a new program of analytification could be development from the homotopyfication using the celebrated Atiyah-Singer theorem and its super-symmetric interpretations. It is hoped that the super-symmetric quantum mechanics provides the hardware for the implementation of the proposed quantum algorithms.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•May 1, 2012•0 citations

A quantum algorithm for Khovanov homology

Alexander Schmidhuber, Reilly, Michele, Paolo Zanardi A +2 more

Khovanov homology is a topological knot invariant that categorifies the Jones polynomial, recognizes the unknot, and is conjectured to appear as an observable in $4D$ supersymmetric Yang--Mills theory. Despite its rich mathematical and physical significance, the computational complexity of Khovanov homology remains largely unknown. To address this challenge, this work initiates the study of efficient quantum algorithms for Khovanov homology. We provide simple proofs that increasingly accurate additive approximations to the ranks of Khovanov homology are DQC1-hard, BQP-hard, and #P-hard, respectively. For the first two approximation regimes, we propose a novel quantum algorithm. Our algorithm is efficient provided the corresponding Hodge Laplacian thermalizes in polynomial time and has a sufficiently large spectral gap, for which we give numerical and analytical evidence. Our approach introduces a pre-thermalization procedure that allows our quantum algorithm to succeed even if the Betti numbers of Khovanov homology are much smaller than the dimensions of the corresponding chain spaces, overcoming a limitation of prior quantum homology algorithms. We introduce novel connections between Khovanov homology and graph theory to derive analytic lower bounds on the spectral gap.

arXiv:2501.12378•Jan 21, 2025•2 citations

Possible topological quantum computation via Khovanov homology: D-brane topological quantum computer

Mario E. Vélez, Juan Ospina

A model of a D-Brane Topological Quantum Computer (DBTQC) is presented and sustained. The model is based on four-dimensional TQFTs of the Donaldson-Witten and Seiber-Witten kinds. It is argued that the DBTQC is able to compute Khovanov homology for knots, links and graphs. The DBTQC physically incorporates the mathematical process of categorification according to which the invariant polynomials for knots, links and graphs such as Jones, HOMFLY, Tutte and Bollobás-Riordan polynomials can be computed as the Euler characteristics corresponding to special homology complexes associated with knots, links and graphs. The DBTQC is conjectured as a powerful universal quantum computer in the sense that the DBTQC computes Khovanov homology which is considered like powerful that the Jones polynomial.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Mar 24, 2009•2 citations

Possible quantum algorithm for the Lipshitz-Sarkar-Steenrod square for Khovanov homology

Juan Ospina

Recently the celebrated Khovanov Homology was introduced as a target for Topological Quantum Computation given that the Khovanov Homology provides a generalization of the Jones polynomal and then it is possible to think about of a generalization of the Aharonov.-Jones-Landau algorithm. Recently, Lipshitz and Sarkar introduced a space-level refinement of Khovanov homology. which is called Khovanov Homotopy. This refinement induces a Steenrod square operation Sq2 on Khovanov homology which they describe explicitly and then some computations of Sq2 were presented. Particularly, examples of links with identical integral Khovanov homology but with distinct Khovanov homotopy types were showed. In the presente work we will introduce possible quantum algorithms for the Lipshitz- Sarkar-Steenrod square for Khovanov Homolog and their possible simulations using computer algebra.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•May 28, 2013•2 citations
In this paper we give a quantum statistical interpretation for the bracket polynomial state sum and for the Jones polynomial. We use this quantum mechanical interpretation to give a new quantum algorithm for computing the Jones polynomial. This algorithm is useful for its conceptual simplicity, and it applies to all values of the polynomial variable that lie on the unit circle in the complex plane. Letting C(K) denote the Hilbert space for this model, there is a natural unitary transformation U from C(K) to itself such that = where |F> is a sum over basis states for C(K). The quantum algorithm arises directly from this formula via the Hadamard Test. We then show that the framework for our quantum model for the bracket polynomial is a natural setting for Khovanov homology. The Hilbert space C(K) of our model has basis in one-to-one correspondence with the enhanced states of the bracket state summmation and is isomorphic with the chain complex for Khovanov homology with coefficients in the complex numbers. We show that for the Khovanov boundary operator d defined on C(K) we have the relationship dU + Ud = 0. Consequently, the unitary operator U acts on the Khovanov homology, and we therefore obtain a direct relationship between Khovanov homology and this quantum algorithm for the Jones polynomial. The formula for the Jones polynomial as a graded Euler characteristic is now expressed in terms of the eigenvalues of U and the Euler characteristics of the eigenspaces of U in the homology. The quantum algorithm given here is inefficient, and so it remains an open problem to determine better quantum algorithms that involve both the Jones polynomial and the Khovanov homology.
In this paper, we give a quantum statistical interpretation of the bracket polynomial state sum K , the Jones polynomial V K (t) and virtual knot theory versions of the Jones polynomial, including the arrow polynomial.We use these quantum mechanical interpretations to give new quantum algorithms for these Jones polynomials.In those cases where the Khovanov homology is defined, the Hilbert space C(K ) of our model is isomorphic with the chain complex for Khovanov homology with coefficients in the complex numbers.There is a natural unitary transformation U: C(K ) → C(K ) such that K = Trace(U ), where K denotes the evaluation of the state sum model for the corresponding polynomial.We show that for the Khovanov boundary operator ∂: C(K ) → C(K ), we have the relationship ∂U + U ∂ = 0. Consequently, the operator U acts on the Khovanov homology, and we obtain a direct relationship between the Khovanov homology and this quantum algorithm for the Jones polynomial.
Possible quantum algorithms for generalized Khovanov homology and the Rasmussen's invariant are proposed. Such algorithms are resulting from adaptations of the recently proposed Kauffman's algorithm for the standard Khovanov homology. The method that was applied consists in to write the relevant quantum invariant as the trace of a certain unitary operator and then to compute the trace using the Hadamard test. We apply such method to the quantum computation of the Jones polynomial, HOMFLY polynomial, Chromatic polynomial, Tutte polynomial and Bollobàs- Riordan polynomial. These polynomials are quantum topological invariants for knots, links, graphs and ribbon graphs respectively. The Jones polynomial is categorified by the standard Khovanov homology and the others polynomials are categorified by generalized Khovanov homologies, such as the Khovanov-Rozansky homology and the graph homologies. The algorithm for the Rasmussen's invariant is obtained using the gauge theory; and the recently introduced program of homotopyfication is linked with the super-symmetric quantum mechanics. It is claimed that a new program of analytification could be development from the homotopyfication using the celebrated Atiyah-Singer theorem and its super-symmetric interpretations. It is hoped that the super-symmetric quantum mechanics provides the hardware for the implementation of the proposed quantum algorithms.
Khovanov homology is a topological knot invariant that categorifies the Jones polynomial, recognizes the unknot, and is conjectured to appear as an observable in 4D4D4D supersymmetric Yang--Mills theory. Despite its rich mathematical and physical significance, the computational complexity of Khovanov homology remains largely unknown. To address this challenge, this work initiates the study of efficient quantum algorithms for Khovanov homology. We provide simple proofs that increasingly accurate additive approximations to the ranks of Khovanov homology are DQC1-hard, BQP-hard, and #P-hard, respectively. For the first two approximation regimes, we propose a novel quantum algorithm. Our algorithm is efficient provided the corresponding Hodge Laplacian thermalizes in polynomial time and has a sufficiently large spectral gap, for which we give numerical and analytical evidence. Our approach introduces a pre-thermalization procedure that allows our quantum algorithm to succeed even if the Betti numbers of Khovanov homology are much smaller than the dimensions of the corresponding chain spaces, overcoming a limitation of prior quantum homology algorithms. We introduce novel connections between Khovanov homology and graph theory to derive analytic lower bounds on the spectral gap.
A model of a D-Brane Topological Quantum Computer (DBTQC) is presented and sustained. The model is based on four-dimensional TQFTs of the Donaldson-Witten and Seiber-Witten kinds. It is argued that the DBTQC is able to compute Khovanov homology for knots, links and graphs. The DBTQC physically incorporates the mathematical process of categorification according to which the invariant polynomials for knots, links and graphs such as Jones, HOMFLY, Tutte and Bollobás-Riordan polynomials can be computed as the Euler characteristics corresponding to special homology complexes associated with knots, links and graphs. The DBTQC is conjectured as a powerful universal quantum computer in the sense that the DBTQC computes Khovanov homology which is considered like powerful that the Jones polynomial.
Recently the celebrated Khovanov Homology was introduced as a target for Topological Quantum Computation given that the Khovanov Homology provides a generalization of the Jones polynomal and then it is possible to think about of a generalization of the Aharonov.-Jones-Landau algorithm. Recently, Lipshitz and Sarkar introduced a space-level refinement of Khovanov homology. which is called Khovanov Homotopy. This refinement induces a Steenrod square operation Sq2 on Khovanov homology which they describe explicitly and then some computations of Sq2 were presented. Particularly, examples of links with identical integral Khovanov homology but with distinct Khovanov homotopy types were showed. In the presente work we will introduce possible quantum algorithms for the Lipshitz- Sarkar-Steenrod square for Khovanov Homolog and their possible simulations using computer algebra.