We consider the problem of establishing limitations on the power of quantum query algorithms via the completely bounded polynomial method. In particular, we prove several optimal functional inequalities involving different notions of completely bounded polynomials. These inequalities lead to limiting theorems for the power of quantum query algorithms that improve on prior works. 1. An optimal root-influence bound for block-multilinear polynomials. Prior work showed that block-multilinear polynomials $p$ of degree $t$ satisfy a root-influence bound, $\|p\|_{\text{cb}}\geq \sum_i \sqrt{\mathrm{Inf}_i[p]}/t^2$ , which is stronger than the bound appearing in the Aaronson-Ambainis conjecture. We find the optimal constant in that inequality: $\|p\|_{\text{cb}}\geq \sum_i \sqrt{\mathrm{Inf}_i[p]}/t$ . Since the amplitudes of quantum algorithms that query disjoint blocks of inputs-such as $t$ -fold forrelation- are block-multilinear polynomials with $\|p\|_{\text{cb}}\leq 1,$ our inequality shows that they satisfy $t\geq \sum_i\sqrt{\mathrm{Inf}_i[p]}$ . We prove that this inequality yields both a more efficient classical simulation than prior results based on the Aaronson-Ambainis argument, and a qualitative improvement: all classical queries are nonadaptive. 2. Optimal Fourier growth of the highest level of quantum query algorithms. We show that for every polynomial $p$ defined on $\{-1,1\}^n$ of degree $2t$ , the Fourier Growth at the level $2t,$ namely $\|\widehat p_{2t}\|_{\ell_1}$ , satisfies $\|\widehat p_{2t}\|_{\ell_1}\leq (en/(2t-1))^{\frac{2t-1}{2}}\|p\|_{\text{cb}}$ . This is optimal up to the factor $e$ , as witnessed by $2t$ -fold forrelation. As quantum query algorithms that make $t$ queries (to the whole input) satisfy $\|p\|_{\text{cb}}\leq 1$ , this yields a Fourier growth bound for these algorithms, partially resolving a question by Girish (STOC, 2026).We consider the problem of establishing limitations on the power of quantum query algorithms via the completely bounded polynomial method. In particular, we prove several optimal functional inequalities involving different notions of completely bounded polynomials. These inequalities lead to limiting theorems for the power of quantum query algorithms that improve on prior works. 1. An optimal root-influence bound for block-multilinear polynomials. Prior work showed that block-multilinear polynomials $p$ of degree $t$ satisfy a root-influence bound, $\|p\|_{\text{cb}}\geq \sum_i \sqrt{\mathrm{Inf}_i[p]}/t^2$, which is stronger than the bound appearing in the Aaronson-Ambainis conjecture. We find the optimal constant in that inequality: $\|p\|_{\text{cb}}\geq \sum_i \sqrt{\mathrm{Inf}_i[p]}/t$. Since the amplitudes of quantum algorithms that query disjoint blocks of inputs-such as $t$-fold forrelation- are block-multilinear polynomials with $\|p\|_{\text{cb}}\leq 1,$ our inequality shows that they satisfy $t\geq \sum_i\sqrt{\mathrm{Inf}_i[p]}$. We prove that this inequality yields both a more efficient classical simulation than prior results based on the Aaronson-Ambainis argument, and a qualitative improvement: all classical queries are nonadaptive. 2. Optimal Fourier growth of the highest level of quantum query algorithms. We show that for every polynomial $p$ defined on $\{-1,1\}^n$ of degree $2t$, the Fourier Growth at the level $2t,$ namely $\|\widehat p_{2t}\|_{\ell_1}$, satisfies $\|\widehat p_{2t}\|_{\ell_1}\leq (en/(2t-1))^{\frac{2t-1}{2}}\|p\|_{\text{cb}}$. This is optimal up to the factor $e$, as witnessed by $2t$-fold forrelation. As quantum query algorithms that make $t$ queries (to the whole input) satisfy $\|p\|_{\text{cb}}\leq 1$, this yields a Fourier growth bound for these algorithms, partially resolving a question by Girish (STOC, 2026).

quant-pharXiv:2609.05201Sep 7, 20260 citations

A Polynomial Quantum Algorithm for Approximating the Jones Polynomial

Dorit Aharonov, Vaughan F. R. Jones, Zeph A. Landau

The Jones polynomial, discovered in 1984, is an important knot invariant in topology. Among its many connections to various mathematical and physical areas, it is known (due to Witten) to be intimately connected to Topological Quantum Field Theory (TQFT). The works of Freedman, Kitaev, Larsen and Wang provide an efficient simulation of TQFT by a quantum computer, and vice versa. These results implicitly imply the existence of an efficient quantum algorithm that provides a certain additive approximation of the Jones polynomial at the fifth root of unity, e^{2πi/5}, and moreover, that this problem is BQP-complete. Unfortunately, this important algorithm was never explicitly formulated. Moreover, the results mentioned are heavily based on TQFT, which makes the algorithm essentially inaccessible to computer scientists. We provide an explicit and simple polynomial quantum algorithm to approximate the Jones polynomial of an n-strands braid with m crossings at any primitive root of unity e^{2πi/k}, where the running time of the algorithm is polynomial in m,n and k. Our algorithm is based, rather than on TQFT, on well known mathematical results. By the results of Freedman et. al., our algorithm solves a BQP complete problem. The algorithm we provide exhibits a structure which we hope is generalizable to other quantum algorithmic problems. Candidates of particular interest are the approximations of other #P-hard problems, most notably, the partition function of the Potts model, a model which is known to be tightly connected to the Jones polynomial.The Jones polynomial, discovered in 1984, is an important knot invariant in topology. Among its many connections to various mathematical and physical areas, it is known (due to Witten) to be intimately connected to Topological Quantum Field Theory (TQFT). The works of Freedman, Kitaev, Larsen and Wang provide an efficient simulation of TQFT by a quantum computer, and vice versa. These results implicitly imply the existence of an efficient quantum algorithm that provides a certain additive approximation of the Jones polynomial at the fifth root of unity, e^{2πi/5}, and moreover, that this problem is BQP-complete. Unfortunately, this important algorithm was never explicitly formulated. Moreover, the results mentioned are heavily based on TQFT, which makes the algorithm essentially inaccessible to computer scientists. We provide an explicit and simple polynomial quantum algorithm to approximate the Jones polynomial of an n-strands braid with m crossings at any primitive root of unity e^{2πi/k}, where the running time of the algorithm is polynomial in m,n and k. Our algorithm is based, rather than on TQFT, on well known mathematical results. By the results of Freedman et. al., our algorithm solves a BQP complete problem. The algorithm we provide exhibits a structure which we hope is generalizable to other quantum algorithmic problems. Candidates of particular interest are the approximations of other #P-hard problems, most notably, the partition function of the Potts model, a model which is known to be tightly connected to the Jones polynomial.

arXiv:quant-ph/0511096Nov 9, 200519 citations

An efficient quantum algorithm for colored Jones polynomials

Silvano Garnerone, Annalisa Marzuoli, Mario Rasetti

We construct a quantum algorithm to approximate efficiently the colored Jones polynomial of the plat presentation of any oriented link L at a fixed root of unity q. Our construction is based on SU(2) Chern-Simons topological quantum field theory (and associated Wess-Zumino-Witten conformal field theory) and exploits the q-deformed spin network as computational background. As proved in (S. Garnerone, A. Marzuoli, M. Rasetti, quant-ph/0601169), the colored Jones polynomial can be evaluated in a number of elementary steps, bounded from above by a linear function of the number of crossings of the link, and polynomially bounded with respect to the number of link strands. Here we show that the Kaul unitary representation of colored oriented braids used there can be efficiently approximated on a standard quantum circuit.We construct a quantum algorithm to approximate efficiently the colored Jones polynomial of the plat presentation of any oriented link L at a fixed root of unity q. Our construction is based on SU(2) Chern-Simons topological quantum field theory (and associated Wess-Zumino-Witten conformal field theory) and exploits the q-deformed spin network as computational background. As proved in (S. Garnerone, A. Marzuoli, M. Rasetti, quant-ph/0601169), the colored Jones polynomial can be evaluated in a number of elementary steps, bounded from above by a linear function of the number of crossings of the link, and polynomially bounded with respect to the number of link strands. Here we show that the Kaul unitary representation of colored oriented braids used there can be efficiently approximated on a standard quantum circuit.

arXiv:quant-ph/0606167Jun 20, 20062 citations

Quantum algorithm for the root-finding problem

Koji Nagata, Tadao Nakamura

Quantum Studies Mathematics and FoundationsJul 30, 20187 citations

p

of degree

t

satisfy a root-influence bound,

\|p\|_{\text{cb}}\geq \sum_i \sqrt{\mathrm{Inf}_i[p]}/t^2

, which is stronger than the bound appearing in the Aaronson-Ambainis conjecture. We find the optimal constant in that inequality:

\|p\|_{\text{cb}}\geq \sum_i \sqrt{\mathrm{Inf}_i[p]}/t

. Since the amplitudes of quantum algorithms that query disjoint blocks of inputs-such as

t

-fold forrelation- are block-multilinear polynomials with

\|p\|_{\text{cb}}\leq 1,

our inequality shows that they satisfy

t\geq \sum_i\sqrt{\mathrm{Inf}_i[p]}

. We prove that this inequality yields both a more efficient classical simulation than prior results based on the Aaronson-Ambainis argument, and a qualitative improvement: all classical queries are nonadaptive. 2. Optimal Fourier growth of the highest level of quantum query algorithms. We show that for every polynomial

p

defined on

\{-1,1\}^n

of degree

2t

, the Fourier Growth at the level

2t,

namely

\|\widehat p_{2t}\|_{\ell_1}

, satisfies

\|\widehat p_{2t}\|_{\ell_1}\leq (en/(2t-1))^{\frac{2t-1}{2}}\|p\|_{\text{cb}}

. This is optimal up to the factor

e

, as witnessed by

2t

-fold forrelation. As quantum query algorithms that make

t

queries (to the whole input) satisfy

\|p\|_{\text{cb}}\leq 1

, this yields a Fourier growth bound for these algorithms, partially resolving a question by Girish (STOC, 2026).