We consider a generalization of the standard oracle model in which the oracle acts on the target with a permutation selected according to internal random coins. We describe several problems that are impossible to solve classically but can be solved by a quantum algorithm using a single query; we show that such infinity-vs-one separations between classical and quantum query complexities can be constructed from much weaker separations. We also give conditions to determine when oracle problems--either in the standard model, or in any of the generalizations we consider--cannot be solved with success probability better than random guessing would achieve. In the oracle model with internal randomness where the goal is to gain any nonzero advantage over guessing, we prove (roughly speaking) that k quantum queries are equivalent in power to 2k classical queries, thus extending results of Meyer and Pommersheim.We consider a generalization of the standard oracle model in which the oracle acts on the target with a permutation selected according to internal random coins. We describe several problems that are impossible to solve classically but can be solved by a quantum algorithm using a single query; we show that such infinity-vs-one separations between classical and quantum query complexities can be constructed from much weaker separations. We also give conditions to determine when oracle problems--either in the standard model, or in any of the generalizations we consider--cannot be solved with success probability better than random guessing would achieve. In the oracle model with internal randomness where the goal is to gain any nonzero advantage over guessing, we prove (roughly speaking) that k quantum queries are equivalent in power to 2k classical queries, thus extending results of Meyer and Pommersheim.

Jan 1, 20134 citations

Uselessness for an Oracle Model with Internal Randomness

Aram W. Harrow, David J. Rosenbaum

We consider a generalization of the standard oracle model in which the oracle acts on the target with a permutation selected according to internal random coins. We describe several problems that are impossible to solve classically but can be solved by a quantum algorithm using a single query; we show that such infinity-vs-one separations between classical and quantum query complexities can be constructed from much weaker separations. We also give conditions to determine when oracle problems---either in the standard model, or in any of the generalizations we consider---cannot be solved with success probability better than random guessing would achieve. In the oracle model with internal randomness where the goal is to gain any nonzero advantage over guessing, we prove (roughly speaking) that $k$ quantum queries are equivalent in power to $2k$ classical queries, thus extending results of Meyer and Pommersheim.We consider a generalization of the standard oracle model in which the oracle acts on the target with a permutation selected according to internal random coins. We describe several problems that are impossible to solve classically but can be solved by a quantum algorithm using a single query; we show that such infinity-vs-one separations between classical and quantum query complexities can be constructed from much weaker separations. We also give conditions to determine when oracle problems---either in the standard model, or in any of the generalizations we consider---cannot be solved with success probability better than random guessing would achieve. In the oracle model with internal randomness where the goal is to gain any nonzero advantage over guessing, we prove (roughly speaking) that $k$ quantum queries are equivalent in power to $2k$ classical queries, thus extending results of Meyer and Pommersheim.

arXiv:1111.1462Nov 7, 20110 citations

On the uselessness of quantum queries

DAVID A. MEYER, James Pommersheim

Given a prior probability distribution over a set of possible oracle functions, we define a number of queries to be useless for determining some property of the function if the probability that the function has the property is unchanged after the oracle responds to the queries. A familiar example is the parity of a uniformly random Boolean-valued function over $\{1,2,...,N\}$ , for which $N-1$ classical queries are useless. We prove that if $2k$ classical queries are useless for some oracle problem, then $k$ quantum queries are also useless. For such problems, which include classical threshold secret sharing schemes, our result also gives a new way to obtain a lower bound on the quantum query complexity, even in cases where neither the function nor the property to be determined is Boolean.Given a prior probability distribution over a set of possible oracle functions, we define a number of queries to be useless for determining some property of the function if the probability that the function has the property is unchanged after the oracle responds to the queries. A familiar example is the parity of a uniformly random Boolean-valued function over $\{1,2,...,N\}$, for which $N-1$ classical queries are useless. We prove that if $2k$ classical queries are useless for some oracle problem, then $k$ quantum queries are also useless. For such problems, which include classical threshold secret sharing schemes, our result also gives a new way to obtain a lower bound on the quantum query complexity, even in cases where neither the function nor the property to be determined is Boolean.

arXiv:1004.1434Apr 8, 20101 citation

Explicit Separations for One-Query Unitary Synthesis

Fangqi Dong, Alex Lombardi, Fermi Ma

The unitary synthesis problem (Aaronson-Kuperberg, CCC 2007) asks whether every $n$ -qubit unitary $U$ is computable by efficient quantum circuits relative to some classical oracle $f = f_U$ depending on $U$ . Recently, Lombardi-Ma-Wright (STOC 2024) proved that Haar-random unitaries cannot be efficiently synthesized by algorithms that make 1 query (or poly $(n)$ parallel queries) to an arbitrary classical oracle. In this work, we prove several results about the hardness (and easiness!) of variants of unitary synthesis. Our results include: (1) 1-query vs. 2-query unitary synthesis: we prove 1-query lower bounds for synthesizing random permutation unitaries $P\lvert x\rangle = \lvert π(x)\rangle$ , as well as random alternating-basis phase unitaries $F_2 \cdot H^{\otimes n} \cdot F_1$ . This gives 1-query lower bounds for "explicit" families of unitaries that have efficient (even 2-query) synthesis algorithms. (2) Upper bound for complex phase unitaries: we also consider complex phase unitaries $\lvert x\rangle\mapsto α_x \lvert x\rangle$ , which have a clean 2-query synthesis algorithm with no obvious 1-query algorithm. In this case, we prove an upper bound: there are 1-query algorithms (relative to binary phase oracles) that constant-approximate these unitaries in diamond distance. In order to prove our lower bounds, we introduce and analyze two new cryptographic games: the oracle state search game and the oracle Choi state game. Compared to prior work, our framework is mathematically simple, more flexible in what it can prove, and more accurately captures the hardness of synthesizing unitaries that are not "fully random". Finally, we also use the search game to prove a new hardness-of-approximation result for quantum programs (synthesizing unitaries relative to quantum advice) for phase unitaries, giving a sharper separation between 1-query unitary synthesis and quantum programs.The unitary synthesis problem (Aaronson-Kuperberg, CCC 2007) asks whether every $n$-qubit unitary $U$ is computable by efficient quantum circuits relative to some classical oracle $f = f_U$ depending on $U$. Recently, Lombardi-Ma-Wright (STOC 2024) proved that Haar-random unitaries cannot be efficiently synthesized by algorithms that make 1 query (or poly$(n)$ parallel queries) to an arbitrary classical oracle. In this work, we prove several results about the hardness (and easiness!) of variants of unitary synthesis. Our results include: (1) 1-query vs. 2-query unitary synthesis: we prove 1-query lower bounds for synthesizing random permutation unitaries $P\lvert x\rangle = \lvert π(x)\rangle$, as well as random alternating-basis phase unitaries $F_2 \cdot H^{\otimes n} \cdot F_1$. This gives 1-query lower bounds for "explicit" families of unitaries that have efficient (even 2-query) synthesis algorithms. (2) Upper bound for complex phase unitaries: we also consider complex phase unitaries $\lvert x\rangle\mapsto α_x \lvert x\rangle$, which have a clean 2-query synthesis algorithm with no obvious 1-query algorithm. In this case, we prove an upper bound: there are 1-query algorithms (relative to binary phase oracles) that constant-approximate these unitaries in diamond distance. In order to prove our lower bounds, we introduce and analyze two new cryptographic games: the oracle state search game and the oracle Choi state game. Compared to prior work, our framework is mathematically simple, more flexible in what it can prove, and more accurately captures the hardness of synthesizing unitaries that are not "fully random". Finally, we also use the search game to prove a new hardness-of-approximation result for quantum programs (synthesizing unitaries relative to quantum advice) for phase unitaries, giving a sharper separation between 1-query unitary synthesis and quantum programs.

quant-pharXiv:2607.26478Jul 30, 20260 citations

Quantum Query Complexity for Nonstandard Oracles with Tight Bounds and Tradeoffs Beyond Grover

Yalla Jnan Devi Satya Prasad

Quantum query complexity underpins much of our understanding of quantum speedups, yet nearly all existing lower and upper bounds are derived for simple Boolean oracles. Many practical tasks-noisy database search, stochastic optimization, adaptive learning, and time-varying systems-are best modeled by richer oracle classes. This paper systematically extends quantum query complexity theory to four non-standard oracle models: (1) stochastic oracles that return random outputs drawn from a distribution; (2) multi-solution oracles encoding a solution set of size k; (3) time-dependent oracles whose internal state evolves between queries; and (4) relational oracles encoding structured constraints rather than simple membership. Using generalized adversary methods, polynomial method techniques, and hybrid arguments, we derive tight (up to polylog factors) lower bounds for each model and construct matching algorithms where possible. For instance, we show that searching for any one of k marked items in an unstructured database still admits a Grover-like quadratic speedup, but with optimal complexity Θ(N/k), and that stochastic noise in oracle outputs degrades the advantage gracefully as a function of the noise parameter. For certain time-dependent and relational models, we prove that no better-than-classical speedup is possible, clarifying the limits of quantum advantage in adaptive settings. These results provide a more realistic foundation for quantum algorithms targeting noisy search, stochastic optimization, and constraint satisfaction, and they highlight the precise structural features that enable or preclude query-based quantum speedups.Quantum query complexity underpins much of our understanding of quantum speedups, yet nearly all existing lower and upper bounds are derived for simple Boolean oracles. Many practical tasks-noisy database search, stochastic optimization, adaptive learning, and time-varying systems-are best modeled by richer oracle classes. This paper systematically extends quantum query complexity theory to four non-standard oracle models: (1) stochastic oracles that return random outputs drawn from a distribution; (2) multi-solution oracles encoding a solution set of size k; (3) time-dependent oracles whose internal state evolves between queries; and (4) relational oracles encoding structured constraints rather than simple membership. Using generalized adversary methods, polynomial method techniques, and hybrid arguments, we derive tight (up to polylog factors) lower bounds for each model and construct matching algorithms where possible. For instance, we show that searching for any one of k marked items in an unstructured database still admits a Grover-like quadratic speedup, but with optimal complexity Θ(N/k), and that stochastic noise in oracle outputs degrades the advantage gracefully as a function of the noise parameter. For certain time-dependent and relational models, we prove that no better-than-classical speedup is possible, clarifying the limits of quantum advantage in adaptive settings. These results provide a more realistic foundation for quantum algorithms targeting noisy search, stochastic optimization, and constraint satisfaction, and they highlight the precise structural features that enable or preclude query-based quantum speedups.

Dec 19, 20250 citations

Permutation Superposition Oracles for Quantum Query Lower Bounds

Christian Majenz, Giulio Malavolta, Michael Walter

We propose a generalization of Zhandry's compressed oracle method to random permutations, where an algorithm can query both the permutation and its inverse. We show how to use the resulting oracle simulation to bound the success probability of an algorithm for any predicate on input-output pairs, a key feature of Zhandry's technique that had hitherto resisted attempts at generalization to random permutations. One key technical ingredient is to use strictly monotone factorizations to represent the permutation in the oracle's database. As an application of our framework, we show that the one-round sponge construction is unconditionally preimage resistant in the random permutation model. This proves a conjecture by Unruh.We propose a generalization of Zhandry's compressed oracle method to random permutations, where an algorithm can query both the permutation and its inverse. We show how to use the resulting oracle simulation to bound the success probability of an algorithm for any predicate on input-output pairs, a key feature of Zhandry's technique that had hitherto resisted attempts at generalization to random permutations. One key technical ingredient is to use strictly monotone factorizations to represent the permutation in the oracle's database. As an application of our framework, we show that the one-round sponge construction is unconditionally preimage resistant in the random permutation model. This proves a conjecture by Unruh.

arXiv:2407.09655ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing (STOC)Jun 15, 20256 citations

k

quantum queries are equivalent in power to

2k

classical queries, thus extending results of Meyer and Pommersheim.

\{1,2,...,N\}

, for which

N-1

classical queries are useless. We prove that if

2k

classical queries are useless for some oracle problem, then

k

quantum queries are also useless. For such problems, which include classical threshold secret sharing schemes, our result also gives a new way to obtain a lower bound on the quantum query complexity, even in cases where neither the function nor the property to be determined is Boolean.

The unitary synthesis problem (Aaronson-Kuperberg, CCC 2007) asks whether every

n

-qubit unitary

U

is computable by efficient quantum circuits relative to some classical oracle

f = f_U

depending on

U

. Recently, Lombardi-Ma-Wright (STOC 2024) proved that Haar-random unitaries cannot be efficiently synthesized by algorithms that make 1 query (or poly

(n)

parallel queries) to an arbitrary classical oracle. In this work, we prove several results about the hardness (and easiness!) of variants of unitary synthesis. Our results include: (1) 1-query vs. 2-query unitary synthesis: we prove 1-query lower bounds for synthesizing random permutation unitaries

P\lvert x\rangle = \lvert π(x)\rangle

, as well as random alternating-basis phase unitaries

F_2 \cdot H^{\otimes n} \cdot F_1

. This gives 1-query lower bounds for "explicit" families of unitaries that have efficient (even 2-query) synthesis algorithms. (2) Upper bound for complex phase unitaries: we also consider complex phase unitaries

\lvert x\rangle\mapsto α_x \lvert x\rangle

, which have a clean 2-query synthesis algorithm with no obvious 1-query algorithm. In this case, we prove an upper bound: there are 1-query algorithms (relative to binary phase oracles) that constant-approximate these unitaries in diamond distance. In order to prove our lower bounds, we introduce and analyze two new cryptographic games: the oracle state search game and the oracle Choi state game. Compared to prior work, our framework is mathematically simple, more flexible in what it can prove, and more accurately captures the hardness of synthesizing unitaries that are not "fully random". Finally, we also use the search game to prove a new hardness-of-approximation result for quantum programs (synthesizing unitaries relative to quantum advice) for phase unitaries, giving a sharper separation between 1-query unitary synthesis and quantum programs.