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Quantum Information and Computation

Spatial search on grids with minimum memory

AmbainisAndris, PortugalRenato, NahimovNikolay

Published Oct 1, 2015• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We study quantum algorithms for spatial search on finite dimensional grids. Patel et al. and Falk have proposed algorithms based on a quantum walk without a coin, with different operators applied a...
DOI
10.5555/2871363.2871372

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Spatial Search on Grids with Minimum Memory

Andris Ambainis, Renato Portugal, Nikolay Nahimov

We study quantum algorithms for spatial search on finite dimensional grids. Patel et al. and Falk have proposed algorithms based on a quantum walk without a coin, with different operators applied at even and odd steps. Until now, such algorithms have been studied only using numerical simulations. In this paper, we present the first rigorous analysis for an algorithm of this type, showing that the optimal number of steps is $O(\sqrt{N\log N})$ and the success probability is $O(1/\log N)$, where $N$ is the number of vertices. This matches the performance achieved by algorithms that use other forms of quantum walks.

arXiv:1312.0172•Dec 1, 2013•2 citations

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We study quantum algorithms for spatial search on finite dimensional grids. Patel \textit{et al.}~and Falk have proposed algorithms based on a quantum walk without a coin, with different operators applied at even and odd steps. Until now, such algorithms have been studied only using numerical simulations. In this paper, we present the first rigorous analysis for an algorithm of this type, showing that the optimal number of steps is $O(\sqrt{N\log N})$ and the success probability is $O(1/\log N)$, where $N$ is the number of vertices. This matches the performance achieved by algorithms that use other forms of quantum walks.

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The defining feature of memoryless quantum walks is that they operate on the vertex space of a graph, and therefore can be used to produce search algorithms with minimal memory. We present a memoryless walk that can find a unique marked vertex on a two-dimensional grid. Our walk is based on the construction proposed by Falk, which tessellates the grid with squares of size $2 \times 2$. Our walk uses minimal memory, $O(\sqrt{N \log N})$ applications of the walk operator, and outputs the marked vertex with vanishing error probability. To accomplish this, we apply a selfloop to the marked vertex - a technique we adapt from interpolated walks. We prove that with our explicit choice of selfloop weight, this forces the action of the walk asymptotically into a single rotational space. We characterize this space and as a result, show that our memoryless walk produces the marked vertex with a success probability asymptotically approaching one.

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The question of whether quantum spatial search in two dimensions can be made optimal has long been an open problem. We report progress towards its resolution by showing that the oracle complexity for target location can be made optimal, by increasing the number of calls to the walk operator that incorporates the graph structure by a logarithmic factor. Our algorithm does not require amplitude amplification. An important ingredient of our algorithm is the implementation of multi-step quantum walks by graph powering, using a coin space of walk-length dependent dimension, which may be of independent interest. Finally, we demonstrate how to implement quantum walks arising from powers of symmetric Markov chains using our methods.

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Recursive quantum spatial search does not need ancilla qubit

Avatar Tulsi

Spatial search is a widely studied application of quantum algorithms. Several algorithms have been proposed for spatial search without using ancilla qubits which are easier to implement physically. All such algorithms are based on the widely studied quantum walk approach. Here we consider another approach by Aaronson and Ambainis based on the recursive application of Grover's algorithm rather than quantum walks. Their algorithm needs one ancilla qubit for successful implementation. We present a different recursive algorithm which does not need any ancilla qubit and hence it offers physical implementation advantages.

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We study quantum algorithms for spatial search on finite dimensional grids. Patel et al. and Falk have proposed algorithms based on a quantum walk without a coin, with different operators applied at even and odd steps. Until now, such algorithms have been studied only using numerical simulations. In this paper, we present the first rigorous analysis for an algorithm of this type, showing that the optimal number of steps is O(Nlog⁡N)O(\sqrt{N\log N})O(NlogN​) and the success probability is O(1/log⁡N)O(1/\log N)O(1/logN), where NNN is the number of vertices. This matches the performance achieved by algorithms that use other forms of quantum walks.
We study quantum algorithms for spatial search on finite dimensional grids. Patel \textit{et al.}~and Falk have proposed algorithms based on a quantum walk without a coin, with different operators applied at even and odd steps. Until now, such algorithms have been studied only using numerical simulations. In this paper, we present the first rigorous analysis for an algorithm of this type, showing that the optimal number of steps is O(Nlog⁡N)O(\sqrt{N\log N})O(NlogN​) and the success probability is O(1/log⁡N)O(1/\log N)O(1/logN), where NNN is the number of vertices. This matches the performance achieved by algorithms that use other forms of quantum walks.
Spatial search and walk processes. Spatial search by quantum walk is database search with the additional constraint that one is required to move through the search space that obeys some locality structure. For example, the data items may be stored at the vertices of a two-dimensional grid. The requirement of moves along the edges of the grid captures the cost of accessing different items starting from some fixed position in the database. One of possible ways of carrying out spatial search is by performing a random walk on the search space or its quantum analog, a quantum walk. The complexity of spatial search by quantum walk is strongly tied to the quantum hitting time [19] of the walk. Let S , with jS j D n, be a finite set of states. Assume that a subset M S of states are marked. We are given a procedure C that, on input x 2 S and an associated data structure d.x/, checks whether the state x is marked. The goal is either to find a marked state when promised that M ¤ ; (search version) or to determine whether M is nonempty (decision version). The algorithm progresses in stages. In the setup stage, we access some state of S (usually a random state). In the walk stage we move from state to state, performing a spatial walk as described below. The moves are called updates. In addition, in the walk stage we perform checks to see if the current state is marked at steps selected by the algorithm. In the classical setting, the transition probabilities of the spatial walk are described by a stochastic matrix P D .px;y/x;y2S . This makes the walk a Markov chain. In every move the algorithm must perform a random transition according to P . The possible x ! y moves, i.e., those with px;y ¤ 0, form the edges of a (directed) graph G, and we say that the Markov chain P has locality structure G. We define the search problem in the classical setting, which carries over to the quantum case with little modification:
The defining feature of memoryless quantum walks is that they operate on the vertex space of a graph, and therefore can be used to produce search algorithms with minimal memory. We present a memoryless walk that can find a unique marked vertex on a two-dimensional grid. Our walk is based on the construction proposed by Falk, which tessellates the grid with squares of size 2×22 \times 22×2. Our walk uses minimal memory, O(Nlog⁡N)O(\sqrt{N \log N})O(NlogN​) applications of the walk operator, and outputs the marked vertex with vanishing error probability. To accomplish this, we apply a selfloop to the marked vertex - a technique we adapt from interpolated walks. We prove that with our explicit choice of selfloop weight, this forces the action of the walk asymptotically into a single rotational space. We characterize this space and as a result, show that our memoryless walk produces the marked vertex with a success probability asymptotically approaching one.
The question of whether quantum spatial search in two dimensions can be made optimal has long been an open problem. We report progress towards its resolution by showing that the oracle complexity for target location can be made optimal, by increasing the number of calls to the walk operator that incorporates the graph structure by a logarithmic factor. Our algorithm does not require amplitude amplification. An important ingredient of our algorithm is the implementation of multi-step quantum walks by graph powering, using a coin space of walk-length dependent dimension, which may be of independent interest. Finally, we demonstrate how to implement quantum walks arising from powers of symmetric Markov chains using our methods.
Spatial search is a widely studied application of quantum algorithms. Several algorithms have been proposed for spatial search without using ancilla qubits which are easier to implement physically. All such algorithms are based on the widely studied quantum walk approach. Here we consider another approach by Aaronson and Ambainis based on the recursive application of Grover's algorithm rather than quantum walks. Their algorithm needs one ancilla qubit for successful implementation. We present a different recursive algorithm which does not need any ancilla qubit and hence it offers physical implementation advantages.