Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Discrete Wigner functions and the phase space representation of quantum computers

Bianucci, P, Miquel, C, Paz, J P, Saraceno, M

Published Jun 15, 2001• 33 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

We show how to represent the state and the evolution of a quantum computer (or any system with an $N$--dimensional Hilbert space) in phase space. For this purpose we use a discrete version of the Wigner function which, for arbitrary $N$, is defined in a phase space grid of $2N\\times 2N$ points. We compute such Wigner function for states which are relevant for quantum computation. Finally, we discuss properties of quantum algorithms in phase space and present the phase space representation of Grover's quantum search algorithm.

Related papers

Quantum computers in phase space

César Miquel, Juan Pablo Paz, Marcos Saraceno

We represent both the states and the evolution of a quantum computer in phase space using the discrete Wigner function. We study properties of the phase space representation of quantum algorithms: apart from analyzing important examples, such as the Fourier transform and Grover's search, we examine the conditions for the existence of a direct correspondence between quantum and classical evolutions in phase space. Finally, we describe how to measure directly the Wigner function in a given phase-space point by means of a tomographic method that, itself, can be interpreted as a simple quantum algorithm.

arXiv:quant-ph/0204149•Physical Review A•Jun 5, 2002•146 citations

Discrete Wigner functions and the phase-space representation of quantum teleportation

Juan Pablo Paz

We present a phase-space description of the process of quantum teleportation for a system with an N-dimensional space of states. For this purpose we define a discrete Wigner function which is a minor variation of previously existing ones. This function is useful to represent a composite quantum system in phase space and to analyze situations where entanglement between subsystems is relevant (dimensionality of the space of states of each subsystem is arbitrary). We also describe how a direct tomographic measurement of this Wigner function can be performed.

arXiv:quant-ph/0204150•Physical Review A•Jun 10, 2002•65 citations

Discrete phase space based on finite fields

Kathleen S. Gibbons, Matthew J. Hoffman, William K. Wootters

The original Wigner function provides a way of representing in phase space the quantum states of systems with continuous degrees of freedom. Wigner functions have also been developed for discrete quantum systems, one popular version being defined on a $2N\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2N$ discrete phase space for a system with $N$ orthogonal states. Here we investigate an alternative class of discrete Wigner functions, in which the field of real numbers that labels the axes of continuous phase space is replaced by a finite field having $N$ elements. There exists such a field if and only if $N$ is a power of a prime; so our formulation can be applied directly only to systems for which the state-space dimension takes such a value. Though this condition may seem limiting, we note that any quantum computer based on qubits meets the condition and can thus be accommodated within our scheme. The geometry of our $N\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}N$ phase space also leads naturally to a method of constructing a complete set of $N+1$ mutually unbiased bases for the state space.

arXiv:quant-ph/0401155•Physical Review A•Dec 3, 2004•393 citations

Discrete Wigner function for finite-dimensional systems

Alfredo Luis, Jan Peřina

A phase-space approach to finite-dimensional systems is developed from basic principles. For a system describable by a Hilbert space of dimension d we define a one-to-one correspondence between operators and functions on a discrete and finite phase space with points valid for any dimension d . The properties fulfilled by this correspondence and its uniqueness are examined. This formalism is applied to the number difference and phase difference of a two-mode field. This case is compared with the marginal distribution for these variables arising from a two-mode Wigner function for number and phase.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General•Feb 6, 1998•69 citations

An Efficient Numerical Algorithm for Constructing the Wigner Function of a Quantum System with a Polynomial Potential in Phase Space

E. E. Perepelkin, Б. И. Садовников, Наталья Германовна Иноземцева +2 more

Abstract When considering quantum systems in phase space, the Wigner function is used as a function of quasi-probability density. Finding the Wigner function is related to the calculation of a Fourier transform of a certain composition of wave functions of the corresponding quantum system. As a rule, knowledge of the Wigner function is not the final goal, and the calculation of mean values of different quantum characteristics of the system is required. An explicit solution of the Schrödinger equation can be obtained only for a narrow class of potentials, therefore, in the majority of cases, numerical methods must be used to find wave functions. As a result, finding the Wigner function is related to the numerical integration of grid wave functions. When considering a one-dimensional system, the calculation of N2 Fourier integrals of the grid wave function is needed. To provide the necessary accuracy for wave functions, corresponding to the higher states of a quantum system, a larger number of grid nodes is needed. The goal of this work was to construct the numerical-analytical method for finding the Wigner function, which allows the number of computational operations to be considerably reduced. The quantum systems with polynomial potentials were considered, for which the Wigner function is represented as a series in some known functions.

Physics of Particles and Nuclei•May 1, 2021•1 citation

Frame representation of quantum systems with finite-dimensional Hilbert space

Nicolae Cotfas

Abstract There exist many attempts to define a Wigner function for quantum systems with finite-dimensional Hilbert space, each of them coming with its advantages and limitations. The existing finite versions have simple definitions, but they are based only on the existence of a formal analogy with the continuous-variable Wigner function and do not allow an intuitive state analysis. The continuous versions have more complicated definitions, but they are closer to the original Wigner function and allow a visualization of the quantum states. The version based on the concept of tight frame we present is finite, but it has certain properties and applications similar to those of continuous versions. It allows us to present a new graphical representation of qubit states, and to define new parameters concerning them. An important advantage of frame representation follows from the use of redundant information. The values taken by the frame version of Wigner function are not independent. They have to satisfy a large number of mathematical relations, useful in error detection and correction.

arXiv:2305.19287•Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical•Aug 28, 2024•2 citations
We show how to represent the state and the evolution of a quantum computer (or any system with an NNN--dimensional Hilbert space) in phase space. For this purpose we use a discrete version of the Wigner function which, for arbitrary NNN, is defined in a phase space grid of 2Ntimes2N2N\\times 2N2Ntimes2N points. We compute such Wigner function for states which are relevant for quantum computation. Finally, we discuss properties of quantum algorithms in phase space and present the phase space representation of Grover's quantum search algorithm.
We represent both the states and the evolution of a quantum computer in phase space using the discrete Wigner function. We study properties of the phase space representation of quantum algorithms: apart from analyzing important examples, such as the Fourier transform and Grover's search, we examine the conditions for the existence of a direct correspondence between quantum and classical evolutions in phase space. Finally, we describe how to measure directly the Wigner function in a given phase-space point by means of a tomographic method that, itself, can be interpreted as a simple quantum algorithm.
We present a phase-space description of the process of quantum teleportation for a system with an N-dimensional space of states. For this purpose we define a discrete Wigner function which is a minor variation of previously existing ones. This function is useful to represent a composite quantum system in phase space and to analyze situations where entanglement between subsystems is relevant (dimensionality of the space of states of each subsystem is arbitrary). We also describe how a direct tomographic measurement of this Wigner function can be performed.
The original Wigner function provides a way of representing in phase space the quantum states of systems with continuous degrees of freedom. Wigner functions have also been developed for discrete quantum systems, one popular version being defined on a $2N\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2N$ discrete phase space for a system with NNN orthogonal states. Here we investigate an alternative class of discrete Wigner functions, in which the field of real numbers that labels the axes of continuous phase space is replaced by a finite field having NNN elements. There exists such a field if and only if NNN is a power of a prime; so our formulation can be applied directly only to systems for which the state-space dimension takes such a value. Though this condition may seem limiting, we note that any quantum computer based on qubits meets the condition and can thus be accommodated within our scheme. The geometry of our $N\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}N$ phase space also leads naturally to a method of constructing a complete set of N+1N+1N+1 mutually unbiased bases for the state space.
A phase-space approach to finite-dimensional systems is developed from basic principles. For a system describable by a Hilbert space of dimension d we define a one-to-one correspondence between operators and functions on a discrete and finite phase space with points valid for any dimension d . The properties fulfilled by this correspondence and its uniqueness are examined. This formalism is applied to the number difference and phase difference of a two-mode field. This case is compared with the marginal distribution for these variables arising from a two-mode Wigner function for number and phase.
Abstract When considering quantum systems in phase space, the Wigner function is used as a function of quasi-probability density. Finding the Wigner function is related to the calculation of a Fourier transform of a certain composition of wave functions of the corresponding quantum system. As a rule, knowledge of the Wigner function is not the final goal, and the calculation of mean values of different quantum characteristics of the system is required. An explicit solution of the Schrödinger equation can be obtained only for a narrow class of potentials, therefore, in the majority of cases, numerical methods must be used to find wave functions. As a result, finding the Wigner function is related to the numerical integration of grid wave functions. When considering a one-dimensional system, the calculation of N2 Fourier integrals of the grid wave function is needed. To provide the necessary accuracy for wave functions, corresponding to the higher states of a quantum system, a larger number of grid nodes is needed. The goal of this work was to construct the numerical-analytical method for finding the Wigner function, which allows the number of computational operations to be considerably reduced. The quantum systems with polynomial potentials were considered, for which the Wigner function is represented as a series in some known functions.
Abstract There exist many attempts to define a Wigner function for quantum systems with finite-dimensional Hilbert space, each of them coming with its advantages and limitations. The existing finite versions have simple definitions, but they are based only on the existence of a formal analogy with the continuous-variable Wigner function and do not allow an intuitive state analysis. The continuous versions have more complicated definitions, but they are closer to the original Wigner function and allow a visualization of the quantum states. The version based on the concept of tight frame we present is finite, but it has certain properties and applications similar to those of continuous versions. It allows us to present a new graphical representation of qubit states, and to define new parameters concerning them. An important advantage of frame representation follows from the use of redundant information. The values taken by the frame version of Wigner function are not independent. They have to satisfy a large number of mathematical relations, useful in error detection and correction.