In this paper, we propose quantum circuits for runtime assertions, which can be used for both software debugging and error detection. Runtime assertion is challenging in quantum computing for two key reasons. First, a quantum bit (qubit) cannot be copied, which is known as the non-cloning theorem. Second, when a qubit is measured, its superposition state collapses into a classical state, losing the inherent parallel information. In this paper, we overcome these challenges with runtime computation through ancilla qubits, which are used to indirectly collect the information of the qubits of interest. We design quantum circuits to assert classical states, entanglement, and superposition states.In this paper, we propose quantum circuits for runtime assertions, which can be used for both software debugging and error detection. Runtime assertion is challenging in quantum computing for two key reasons. First, a quantum bit (qubit) cannot be copied, which is known as the non-cloning theorem. Second, when a qubit is measured, its superposition state collapses into a classical state, losing the inherent parallel information. In this paper, we overcome these challenges with runtime computation through ancilla qubits, which are used to indirectly collect the information of the qubits of interest. We design quantum circuits to assert classical states, entanglement, and superposition states.

arXiv:1905.12068IEEE Computer Architecture LettersJul 1, 201923 citations

Quantum Circuits for Dynamic Runtime Assertions in Quantum Computation

Ji Liu, Gregory T. Byrd, Huiyang Zhou

In this paper, we propose quantum circuits to enable dynamic assertions for classical values, entanglement, and superposition. This enables a dynamic debugging primitive, driven by a programmer’s understanding of the correct behavior of the quantum program. We show that besides generating assertion errors, the assertion logic may also force the qubits under test to be into the desired state. Besides debugging, our proposed assertion logic can also be used in noisy intermediate scale quantum (NISQ) systems to filter out erroneous results, as demonstrated on a 20-qubit IBM Q quantum computer. Our proposed assertion circuits have been implemented as functions in the open-source Qiskit tool.In this paper, we propose quantum circuits to enable dynamic assertions for classical values, entanglement, and superposition. This enables a dynamic debugging primitive, driven by a programmer’s understanding of the correct behavior of the quantum program. We show that besides generating assertion errors, the assertion logic may also force the qubits under test to be into the desired state. Besides debugging, our proposed assertion logic can also be used in noisy intermediate scale quantum (NISQ) systems to filter out erroneous results, as demonstrated on a 20-qubit IBM Q quantum computer. Our proposed assertion circuits have been implemented as functions in the open-source Qiskit tool.

Dec 9, 20191 citation

Quantum Circuits for Dynamic Runtime Assertions in Quantum Computation

Ji Liu, Gregory T. Byrd, Huiyang Zhou

Dec 9, 20198 citations

Dynamic assertion for quantum circuits based on stabilizers

Chen-yuan Lin, Shang‐Wei Lin, Yean-Ru Chen

Quantum computing is computationally more powerful than classical one due to the features of superposition and entanglement of quantum bits (qubits). However, because of the non-cloning property, measuring qubits in superposition forces them to collapse onto classical ones, which makes traditional run-time techniques for debugging and analyzing hardware circuits infeasible. To overcome this issue, previous works proposed the concept of quantum dynamic runtime assertion. Stabilizer is an approach adopted for correcting quantum errors. The quantum state can remain unchanged after several Pauli operations. We call these Pauli operations a stabilizer. In this work, we propose to use the quantum stabilizers for dynamic runtime assertions, which requires less quantum gates and increases the detect accuracy on Noisy intermediate scale quantum(NISQ).Quantum computing is computationally more powerful than classical one due to the features of superposition and entanglement of quantum bits (qubits). However, because of the non-cloning property, measuring qubits in superposition forces them to collapse onto classical ones, which makes traditional run-time techniques for debugging and analyzing hardware circuits infeasible. To overcome this issue, previous works proposed the concept of quantum dynamic runtime assertion. Stabilizer is an approach adopted for correcting quantum errors. The quantum state can remain unchanged after several Pauli operations. We call these Pauli operations a stabilizer. In this work, we propose to use the quantum stabilizers for dynamic runtime assertions, which requires less quantum gates and increases the detect accuracy on Noisy intermediate scale quantum(NISQ).

SPIE Quantum TechnologiesMay 6, 20220 citations

Exploiting Quantum Assertions for Error Mitigation and Quantum Program Debugging

Peiyi Li, Ji Liu, Yangjia Li +1 more

An assertion is a predicate that should be evaluated true during program execution. In this paper, we present the development of quantum assertion schemes and show how they are used for hardware error mitigation and software debugging. Compared to assertions in classical programs, quantum assertions are challenging due to the no-cloning theorem and potentially destructive measurement. We discuss how these challenges can be circumvented such that certain properties of quantum states can be verified non-destructively during program execution. Furthermore, we show that besides detecting program bugs, dynamic assertion circuits can mitigate noise effects via post-selection of the assertion results. Our case studies demonstrate the use of quantum assertions in various quantum algorithms.An assertion is a predicate that should be evaluated true during program execution. In this paper, we present the development of quantum assertion schemes and show how they are used for hardware error mitigation and software debugging. Compared to assertions in classical programs, quantum assertions are challenging due to the no-cloning theorem and potentially destructive measurement. We discuss how these challenges can be circumvented such that certain properties of quantum states can be verified non-destructively during program execution. Furthermore, we show that besides detecting program bugs, dynamic assertion circuits can mitigate noise effects via post-selection of the assertion results. Our case studies demonstrate the use of quantum assertions in various quantum algorithms.

IEEE International Conference on Computer Design: VLSI in Computers and Processors (ICCD)Oct 1, 20227 citations

The Time-Space Complexity of Checking Multiple Assertions in Quantum Programs

Shengyuan Yang, Charles Yuan

Runtime assertions are a promising mechanism for testing and debugging quantum programs. But unlike the classical world, checking a quantum program that contains multiple assertions often requires using additional space or running the program additional times. For example, on current quantum hardware where mid-circuit measurement is restricted or costly, an assertion's pass/fail outcome cannot be revealed immediately. Instead, it is routed into an ancilla qubit during execution and read out by a terminal measurement. For a program with $n$ assertions, a naive strategy uses $n$ ancillas to learn all $n$ outcomes, while an alternative uses one ancilla but repeats program execution over $n$ rounds, checking one assertion per round. Both satisfy $S \cdot T = O(n)$ , where $S$ is the number of ancillas and $T$ the number of executions: a fundamental time-space trade-off. Can one do asymptotically better? We reveal that the answer depends sharply on the information to be learned. Reporting the outcomes of all assertions requires linear complexity, but two partial-information tasks of detecting whether any assertion fails, and of identifying the first failing assertion, require only logarithmic complexity -- an asymptotic improvement. Moreover, the checking strategies for these tasks can trade time for space in useful ways. In this work, we formalize the complexity of checking multiple assertions in a quantum program. Using this definition, we establish its landscape of asymptotic lower bounds and constructive upper bounds. We confirm via a case study on Grover's algorithm that the resource costs of constructed strategies match theoretical predictions, illustrating the practical design space for quantum programmers.Runtime assertions are a promising mechanism for testing and debugging quantum programs. But unlike the classical world, checking a quantum program that contains multiple assertions often requires using additional space or running the program additional times. For example, on current quantum hardware where mid-circuit measurement is restricted or costly, an assertion's pass/fail outcome cannot be revealed immediately. Instead, it is routed into an ancilla qubit during execution and read out by a terminal measurement. For a program with $n$ assertions, a naive strategy uses $n$ ancillas to learn all $n$ outcomes, while an alternative uses one ancilla but repeats program execution over $n$ rounds, checking one assertion per round. Both satisfy $S \cdot T = O(n)$, where $S$ is the number of ancillas and $T$ the number of executions: a fundamental time-space trade-off. Can one do asymptotically better? We reveal that the answer depends sharply on the information to be learned. Reporting the outcomes of all assertions requires linear complexity, but two partial-information tasks of detecting whether any assertion fails, and of identifying the first failing assertion, require only logarithmic complexity -- an asymptotic improvement. Moreover, the checking strategies for these tasks can trade time for space in useful ways. In this work, we formalize the complexity of checking multiple assertions in a quantum program. Using this definition, we establish its landscape of asymptotic lower bounds and constructive upper bounds. We confirm via a case study on Grover's algorithm that the resource costs of constructed strategies match theoretical predictions, illustrating the practical design space for quantum programmers.

cs.PLCross-listedarXiv:2607.11665Jul 14, 20260 citations

n

assertions, a naive strategy uses

n

ancillas to learn all

n

outcomes, while an alternative uses one ancilla but repeats program execution over

n

rounds, checking one assertion per round. Both satisfy

S \cdot T = O(n)

, where

S

is the number of ancillas and

T

the number of executions: a fundamental time-space trade-off. Can one do asymptotically better? We reveal that the answer depends sharply on the information to be learned. Reporting the outcomes of all assertions requires linear complexity, but two partial-information tasks of detecting whether any assertion fails, and of identifying the first failing assertion, require only logarithmic complexity -- an asymptotic improvement. Moreover, the checking strategies for these tasks can trade time for space in useful ways. In this work, we formalize the complexity of checking multiple assertions in a quantum program. Using this definition, we establish its landscape of asymptotic lower bounds and constructive upper bounds. We confirm via a case study on Grover's algorithm that the resource costs of constructed strategies match theoretical predictions, illustrating the practical design space for quantum programmers.