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Optimizing Shor’s algorithm through approximate fractions for quantum factorization

Pablo Fernández-Alegre, Luis de Pedro, Jorge E. López de Vergara

Published Oct 8, 2024• 0 citations
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Abstract

Abstract This paper presents a way to increase the success of Shor's algorithm by applying a well-known procedure to the results. The work leverages the continued fractions algorithm, a key component of Shor’s algorithm, to find close approximations when the initial estimation is insufficient. Factorization may still be achieved with these close fractions if their denominators are multiples of the exact fraction denominator. By implementing this approach with Qiskit and Beauregard’s version of Shor’s algorithm, we demonstrate a significant enhancement in its success rate in a quantum computer.

DOI
10.21203/rs.3.rs-5031635/v1

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Abstract This paper presents a way to increase the success of Shor's algorithm by applying a well-known procedure to the results. The work leverages the continued fractions algorithm, a key component of Shor’s algorithm, to find close approximations when the initial estimation is insufficient. Factorization may still be achieved with these close fractions if their denominators are multiples of the exact fraction denominator. By implementing this approach with Qiskit and Beauregard’s version of Shor’s algorithm, we demonstrate a significant enhancement in its success rate in a quantum computer.
Shor’s algorithm for prime factorization is a hybrid algorithm consisting of a quantum part and a classical part. The main focus of the classical part is a continued fraction analysis. The presentation of this is often short, pointing to text books on number theory. In this contribution, we present the relevant results and proofs from the theory of continued fractions in detail (even in more detail than in text books), filling the gap to allow a complete comprehension of Shor’s algorithm. Similarly, we provide a detailed computation of the estimation of the probability that convergents will provide the period required for determining a prime factor.
The algorithm of Shor for prime factorization is a hybrid algorithm consisting of a quantum part and a classical part. The main focus of the classical part is a continued fraction analysis. The presentation of this is often short, pointing to text books on number theory. In this contribution, we present the relevant results and proofs from the theory of continued fractions in detail (even in more detail than in text books) filling the gap to allow a complete comprehension of the algorithm of Shor. Similarly, we provide a detailed computation of the estimation of the probability that convergents will provide the period required for determining a prime factor.
Quantum computers leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems beyond the capabilities of classical computers, such as prime factorization, which poses a significant threat to cryptographic algorithms like RSA and ECC. Although current quantum resources are insufficient for effective decryption, ongoing research focuses on optimizing Shor's algorithm to overcome these limitations. Shor's algorithm, a quantum algorithm designed for efficient integer factorization, exploits quantum parallelism and entanglement to perform prime factorization exponentially faster than classical algorithms. This paper reviews recent trends in Shor algorithm optimization, particularly in enhancing the efficiency of ripple-carry operators and the Karatsuba algorithm in multiplication and proposes a multiplication method that applies the Strassen algorithm to constant adders
This article presents a detailed implementation of Shor’s quantum factoring algorithm, which served as the cornerstone for a pilot project at Jamk University of Applied Sciences. The primary goal was to leverage this significant algorithm to establish and validate a reusable quantum simulation environment on a high-performance computing (HPC) platform. We report the successful factorization of the integer 15, executed on the Finnish CSC’s MAHTI supercomputer using a 9-qubit quantum circuit developed in the Qiskit framework. This work provides a comprehensive overview of the principles behind Shor’s algorithm and a methodical breakdown of its simulation. Furthermore, it documents the practical software challenges faced during the environment’s configuration, focusing on library versioning and dependencies. The purpose of this work is to provide a systematic introduction to implement Shor’s algorithm at computer science or applied mathematics classes in institutions of higher education such as universities of applied sciences. The successful factorization provides an initial validation of the simulation workflow for this benchmark case, while the detailed account of implementing Shor’s algorithm offers a practical guide and valuable insights for future quantum computing initiatives at educational institutions with a focus on computer science or scientific computing.
Shors algorithm is a quantum algorithm that finds with high probability the order of an element x∈ZN∗x \in Z_{N}^{*}x∈ZN∗​. One of its applications is the construction of an algorithm that finds the factors of N. In the initial chapters we approach necessary tools for the comprehension of Shors algorithm such as: modular arithmetic, algorithms, continued fractions, basic concepts of quantum computing and Fourier quantum transform. In the following chapters we present Shors algorithm an its application in factorization.
Although the fundamental principles of quantum computing have been known for decades, it is only within the past few years that practical quantum computers have become available. Since these systems are limited to a small number of qubits, they cannot demonstrate quantum advantage for many practical problems. Accordingly, there has been an effort to develop near term implementations of algorithms purely for research and education. In this paper, we discuss a near term implementation of Shor's Algorithm using the Qiskit language on an IBM Q System One quantum computer. We extend currently available documentation by providing a full circuit diagram for Shor's Algorithm including gates specific to the implementation using Qiskit. We present an implementation capable of factoring small two-digit prime numbers, and discuss the limitations of noise when using real quantum computers vs. simulations.