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Continuous-variable quantum computation of oracle decision problems

Barry C. Sanders, Peter Høyer, Mark Adcock

Published Jan 1, 2012• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum information processing is appealing due its ability to solve certain problems quantitatively faster than classical information processing. Most quantum algorithms have been studied in discretely parameterized systems, but many quantum systems are continuously parameterized. The field of quantum optics in particular has sophisticated techniques for manipulating continuously parameterized quantum states of light, but the lack of a code-state formalism has hindered the study of quantum algorithms in these systems. To address this situation, a code-state formalism for the solution of oracle decision problems in continuously-parameterized quantum systems is developed. Quantum information processing is appealing due its ability to solve certain problems quantitatively faster than classical information processing. Most quantum algorithms have been studied in discretely parameterized systems, but many quantum systems are continuously parameterized. The field of quantum optics in particular has sophisticated techniques for manipulating continuously parameterized quantum states of light, but the lack of a code-state formalism has hindered the study of quantum algorithms in these systems. To address this situation, a code-state formalism for the solution of oracle decision problems in continuously-parameterized quantum systems is developed. In the infinite-dimensional case, we study continuous-variable quantum algorithms for the solution of the Deutsch–Jozsa oracle decision problem implemented within a single harmonic-oscillator. Orthogonal states are used as the computational bases, and we show that, contrary to a previous claim in the literature, this implementation of quantum information processing has limitations due to a position-momentum trade-off of the Fourier transform. We further demonstrate that orthogonal encoding bases are not unique, and using the coherent states of the harmonic oscillator as the computational bases, our formalism enables quantifying the relative performances of different choices of the encoding bases. We extend our formalism to include quantum algorithms in the continuously parameterized yet finite-dimensional Hilbert space of a coherent spin system. We show that the highest-squeezed spin state possible can be approximated by a superposition of two states thus transcending the usual model of using a single basis state as algorithm input. As a particular example, we show that the close Hadamard oracle-decision problem, which is related to the Hadamard codewords of digital communications theory, can be solved quantitatively more efficiently using this computational model than by any known classical algorithm.

DOI
10.5072/prism/25442

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Quantum information processing is appealing due its ability to solve certain problems quantitatively faster than classical information processing. Most quantum algorithms have been studied in discretely parameterized systems, but many quantum systems are continuously parameterized. The field of quantum optics in particular has sophisticated techniques for manipulating continuously parameterized quantum states of light, but the lack of a code-state formalism has hindered the study of quantum algorithms in these systems. To address this situation, a code-state formalism for the solution of oracle decision problems in continuously-parameterized quantum systems is developed.
Quantum information processing is appealing due its ability to solve certain problems quantitatively faster than classical information processing. Most quantum algorithms have been studied in discretely parameterized systems, but many quantum systems are continuously parameterized. The field of quantum optics in particular has sophisticated techniques for manipulating continuously parameterized quantum states of light, but the lack of a code-state formalism has hindered the study of quantum algorithms in these systems. To address this situation, a code-state formalism for the solution of oracle decision problems in continuously-parameterized quantum systems is developed.
In the infinite-dimensional case, we study continuous-variable quantum algorithms for the solution of the Deutsch–Jozsa oracle decision problem implemented within a single harmonic-oscillator. Orthogonal states are used as the computational bases, and we show that, contrary to a previous claim in the literature, this implementation of quantum information processing has limitations due to a position-momentum trade-off of the Fourier transform. We further demonstrate that orthogonal encoding bases are not unique, and using the coherent states of the harmonic oscillator as the computational bases, our formalism enables quantifying the relative performances of different choices of the encoding bases.
We extend our formalism to include quantum algorithms in the continuously parameterized yet finite-dimensional Hilbert space of a coherent spin system. We show that the highest-squeezed spin state possible can be approximated by a superposition of two states thus transcending the usual model of using a single basis state as algorithm input. As a particular example, we show that the close Hadamard oracle-decision problem, which is related to the Hadamard codewords of digital communications theory, can be solved quantitatively more efficiently using this computational model than by any known classical algorithm.
We study quantum algorithms implemented within a single harmonic oscillator, or equivalently within a single mode of the electromagnetic field. Logical states correspond to functions of the canonical position, and the Fourier transform to canonical momentum serves as the analogue of the Hadamard transform for this implementation. This continuous variable version of quantum information processing has widespread appeal because of advanced quantum optics technology that can create, manipulate and read Gaussian states of light. We show that, contrary to a previous claim, this implementation of quantum information processing has limitations due to a position–momentum trade-off of the Fourier transform, analogous to the famous time-bandwidth theorem of signal processing.
A hybrid model of the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm is presented, inspired by the proposals of hybrid computation by S. Lloyd and P. van Loock et. al. The model is based on two observations made about both the discrete and continuous algorithms already available. First, the Fourier transform is a single-step operation in a continuous-variable (CV) setting. Additionally, any implementation of the oracle is nontrivial in both schemes. The steps of the computation are very similar to those in the CV algorithm, with the main difference being the way in which the qunats, or quantum units of analogic information, and the qubits interact in the oracle. Using both discrete and continuous states of light, linear devices, and photo-detection, an optical implementation of the oracle is proposed. For simplicity, infinitely squeezed states are used in the continuous register, whereas the optical qubit is encoded in the dual-rail logic of the KLM protocol. The initial assumption of ideal states as qunats will be dropped to study the effects of finite squeezing in the quality of the computation.
This paper is a study of the continuous-variable Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm. First, we review an existing version of the algorithm for qunat states (Pati and Braunstein 2002 arXiv:0207108v1), and then, we present a realistic version of the Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm for continuous variables, which can be implemented in a physical quantum system given the appropriate oracle. Under these conditions, we have a probabilistic algorithm for deciding the function with a very high success rate with a single call to the oracle. Finally, we look at the effects of errors in both of these continuous-variable algorithms and how they affect the chances of success. We find that the algorithm is generally robust for errors in initialization and the oracle, but less so for errors in the measurement apparatus and the Fourier transform. This article is part of a special issue of Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical devoted to 'Coherent states: mathematical and physical aspects'.
Making sense of the world happens through receiving and processing signals, whether it be sound, light, or other waves that interact with us. The fields of nuclear magnetic resonance and digital signal processing each built a rigorous language for manipulating and extracting information from signals of particular types. Quantum signal processing (QSP) connects these two traditions, providing a unified algebraic framework for understanding how quantum systems are transformed by both classical and quantum signals. QSP provides a systematic framework for characterizing possible transformations. QSP was developed for qubit systems, but physical quantum systems are rarely two-level and the full richness of high-dimensional Hilbert spaces has remained largely unexplored. This thesis extends and applies QSP in two directions: from qubits to high-dimensional systems such as finite-level qudits and infinite-dimensional oscillators and from static signals to signals that include continuous-time noise processes. We will also show how QSP for qudits leads to novel experimental applications in trapped-ion systems. One type of high-dimensional system is a qubit coupled to an oscillator, and a qubit-oscillator qudit can be formed and universally controlled using only a limited set of interactions. In this qubit-oscillator space, a bosonic version of QSP allows novel incarnations of quantum algorithms and sensing. The quantum Fourier transform can be performed by clever conversion of information in a many-qubit system into a single oscillator, and an interferometric protocol uses binary decisions from a qubit to sense a signal affecting the oscillator. Another type of high-dimensional system is a qudit made from the electronic levels of an atom. This thesis presents a new construction of Grover’s algorithm using a qudit in an atomic hyperfine manifold, along with a calibration method that finds accurate QSP pulse parameters for the experiment. For decision algorithms, QSP in qudits enables theoretically perfect decision-making for quantum channel discrimination problems with certain symmetries. In the face of noise, temporal QSP is developed to extend the canonical framework to continuous-time stochastic noise. Combined with Kubo linear-response theory, a noise filter function description emerges which formalizes the optimization of atomic clock performance. These results from qudit, bosonic, and temporal QSP establish QSP as a natural language for high-dimensional quantum control and sensing.
Today, the potential power of quantum information processing comes as no surprise to physicist or science-fiction writer alike. However, the grand promises of this field remain unrealized, despite significant strides forward, due to the inherent difficulties of manipulating quantum systems. Simply put, it turns out that it is incredibly difficult to interact, in a controllable way, with the quantum realm when we seem to live our day to day lives in a classical world. In an effort to solve this challenge, people are exploring a variety of different physical platforms, each with their strengths and weaknesses, in hopes of developing new experimental methods that one day might allow us to control a quantum system. One path forward rests in combining different quantum systems in novel ways to exploit the benefits of different systems while circumventing their respective weaknesses. In particular, quantum systems come in two different flavours: either discrete-variable systems or continuous-variable ones. The field of hybrid quantum information seeks to combine these systems, in clever ways, to help overcome the challenges blocking the path between what is theoretically possible and what is achievable in a laboratory. In this thesis we explore four topics in the context of hybrid methods in quantum information, in an effort to contribute to the resolution of existing challenges and to stimulate new avenues of research. First, we explore the manipulation of a continuous-variable quantum system consisting of phonons in a linear chain of trapped ions where we use the discretized internal levels to mediate interactions. Using our proposed interaction we are able to implement, for example, the acoustic equivalent of a beam splitter with modest experimental resources. Next we propose an experimentally feasible implementation of the cubic phase gate, a primitive non-Gaussian gate required for universal continuous-variable quantum computation, based off sequential photon subtraction. We then discuss the notion of embedding a finite dimensional state into a continuous-variable system, and propose a method of performing quantum computations on encrypted continuous-variable states. This protocol allows for a client, of limited quantum ability, to outsource a computation while hiding their information. Next, we discuss the possibility of performing universal quantum computation on discrete-variable logical states encoded in mixed continuous-variable quantum states. Finally, we present an account of open problems related to our results, and possible future avenues of research.
We introduce a framework for simulating hybrid oscillator-qubit quantum processors on qubit-only systems through position encoding. By encoding continuous-variable position and momentum wave functions into qubit amplitudes, our method efficiently simulates all Gaussian and conditional Gaussian operations -- encompassing the phase-space instruction set (beam splitter, single-qubit rotation, conditional displacement) and extending to squeezing, conditional squeezing, conditional rotation, and conditional beam splitter -- using O ⁣(log⁡2 ⁣(Γ+log⁡(1/ε)))O\!\left(\log^2\!\left(Γ+ \log(1/ε)\right)\right)O(log2(Γ+log(1/ε))) qubit gates per hybrid gate, where ΓΓΓ is the Fock-level bound and εεε is the target precision. This polylogarithmic per-gate complexity represents an exponential improvement over Fock basis encoding approaches, which require exponential quantum or classical resources in the number of qubits per mode. We provide rigorous numerical characterization of quantum Fourier transform errors for Fock-bounded states, enabling precise resource estimation for practical implementations. This work establishes that hybrid oscillator-qubit algorithms can be implemented on qubit processors with polynomial overhead, providing new insights into the computational power trade-offs between discrete-variable and hybrid continuous-discrete-variable quantum computing.