Measurement-based quantum computation is a novel model of quantum computing where universal quantum computation can be done with only local measurements on each particle of a quantum many-body state, which is called a resource state. One large difference of the measurement-based model from the circuit model is the existence of byproducts. In the circuit model, a desired unitary U can be implemented deterministically, whereas the measurement-based model implements BU, where B is an additional operator, which is called a byproduct. In order to compensate byproducts, following measurement angles must be adjusted. Such a feed-forwarding requires some classical processing and tuning of the measurement device, which cause the delay of computation and the additional decoherence. Is there any byproduct-free resource state? Here we show that if we respect the no-signaling principle, which is one of the most fundamental principles of physics, no universal resource state can avoid byproducts.
Measurement-based quantum computation is a novel model of quantum computing where universal quantum computation can be done with only local measurements on each particle of a quantum many-body state, which is called a resource state. One large difference of the measurement-based model from the circuit model is the existence of byproducts. In the circuit model, a desired unitary U can be implemented deterministically, whereas the measurement-based model implements BU, where B is an additional operator, which is called a byproduct. In order to compensate byproducts, following measurement angles must be adjusted. Such a feed-forwarding requires some classical processing and tuning of the measurement device, which cause the delay of computation and the additional decoherence. Is there any byproduct-free resource state? Here we show that if we respect the no-signaling principle, which is one of the most fundamental principles of physics, no universal resource state can avoid byproducts.
In the circuit model of quantum computation, a desired unitary gate can be implemented deterministically, whereas in the measurement-based model the unitary gate is implemented up to a byproduct operator. In order to compensate byproducts, following measurement angles must be adjusted, or classical results must be corrected. Such a feed-forwarding requires some classical processing and tuning of the measurement device, which cause the delay of computation and the additional decoherence. We show that if we respect the no-signaling principle, which is one of the most fundamental principles in physics, byproducts cannot be avoided in measurement-based quantum computation. Furthermore, we also show by using the idea of the quantum error correcting code that due to the no-signaling principle, not all byproducts are allowed in measurement-based quantum computation.
In measurement-based quantum computing, there is a natural ``causal cone'' among qubits of the resource state, since the measurement angle on a qubit has to depend on previous measurement results in order to correct the effect of by-product operators. If we respect the no-signaling principle, by-product operators cannot be avoided. Here we study the possibility of acausal measurement-based quantum computing by using the process matrix framework [Oreshkov, Costa, and Brukner, Nat. Commun. 3, 1092 (2012)]. We construct a resource process matrix for acausal measurement-based quantum computing restricting local operations to projective measurements. The resource process matrix is an analog of the resource state of the standard causal measurement-based quantum computing. We find that if we restrict local operations to projective measurements the resource process matrix is (up to a normalization factor and trivial ancilla qubits) equivalent to the decorated graph state created from the graph state of the corresponding causal measurement-based quantum computing. We also show that it is possible to consider a causal game whose causal inequality is violated by acausal measurement-based quantum computing.
In measurement-based quantum computation (MBQC), a special highly entangled state (called a resource state) allows for universal quantum computation driven by single-qubit measurements and postmeasurement corrections. The large number of qubits necessary to construct the resource state constitutes one of the main down sides to MBQC. However, in some instances it is possible to extend the resource state on the fly, meaning that not every qubit must be realized in the devices simultaneously. We consider the question of the minimal number of physical qubits that must be present in a system to directly implement a given measurement pattern. For measurement patterns which have quantum circuit representation as formalized by the notion of flow, with n inputs, n outputs, and m total qubits, we show that only a minimum of n+1 and m qubits are required, while the number of required qubits can be as high as $m\ensuremath{-}2$ for measurement patterns which implement a unitary but do not have a quantum circuit representation, as formalized by the notion of generalized flow (gflow). We discuss the implications of removing the Clifford part of a measurement pattern, using well-established transformation rules for Pauli measurements, for the presence of flow versus gflow, and hence the effect on the minimum number of physical qubits required to directly realize the measurement pattern.
Alternative quantum computing models to the standard unitary-based model have been independently introduced and developed. One of them, introduced by Nielsen [11] is based on projective measurements only. Another, the one-way quantum computation introduced by Briegel and Raussendorf [13] consists in applying local measurements on an offline-prepared entangled state, called cluster state. The model via measurements only has been successively improved [12], decreasing the resources (in terms of number of different projective measurements) used for a universal quantum computation. The last improvement is based on state transfer [15]. The resources used by the one-way quantum computation are not limited to local measurements, since the preparation of the initial cluster state has to be taken into account. It turns out that the resources used by the one-way quantum computation if the cluster state is prepared by means of projective measurements [9] are similar to the resources used by the quantum computation via measurements only based on state transfer. Moreover, the measurement-based preparation of the initial cluster state leads to a natural unification of these models. If, instead of a measurement-based preparation, a unitary-based preparation of the cluster state is considered, a natural unification between the one-way quantum computation and an hybrid model allowing both unitary transformation and projective measurements is obtained [3].
Compared with the quantum gate circuit model, the measurement-based quantum computing model provides an alternative way to realize universal quantum computation, and relevant contents have been greatly enriched after nearly two decades of research and exploration. In this article, we review the research history and status of the measurement-based quantum computing model. First, we briefly introduce the basic theories of this model, including the concept and working principles of quantum graph states as resource states, the model’s computational universality and classical simulation methods, and relevant applications in the field of quantum information processing such as designing quantum algorithms and fault-tolerant error correction schemes. Then, from the perspective of quantum physical properties, which include the specific roles of quantum entanglement, contextuality, quantum correlations, symmetry-protected topological order, and quantum phases of matter as computing resources, the close relationship between measurement-based quantum computing model and quantum many-body system is presented. For example, a type of measurement-based computing model for exploiting quantum correlations can show a quantum advantage over the classical local hidden variable models, or certain symmetry-protected topological order states enable the universal quantum computation to be conducted by using only the measurements of single-qubit Pauli operators. Next, a variety of different technical routes and experimental progress of realizing the measurement-based quantum computing model are summarized, such as photonic systems, ion traps, superconducting circuits, etc. These achievements in various physical areas lay the foundation for future scalable and fault-tolerant quantum computers. Finally, we discuss and prospect the future research directions in this field thereby inspiring readers to further study and explore the relevant subjects.
Quantum computation is a novel way of information processing that allows, for certain classes of problems, exponential speedups over classical computation. Various models of quantum computation exist, such as the adiabatic, circuit, and measurement-based models. They have been proven equivalent in their computational power, but operate very differently. As such, they may be suitable for realization in different physical systems, and also offer different perspectives on open questions such as the precise origin of the quantum speedup. Here, we give an introduction to the one-way quantum computer, a scheme of measurement-based quantum computation (MBQC). In this model, the computation is driven by local measurements on a carefully chosen, highly entangled state. We discuss various aspects of this computational scheme, such as the role of entanglement and quantum correlations. We also give examples for ground states of simple Hamiltonians that enable universal quantum computation by local measurements.