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

arXiv:quant-ph/0003063 · Physical Review A

Representation of natural numbers in quantum mechanics

Paul A. Benioff

Published Feb 8, 2001• 11 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

This paper represents one approach to making explicit some of the assumptions and conditions implied in the widespread representation of numbers by composite quantum systems. Any nonempty set and associated operations is a set of natural numbers or a model of arithmetic if the set and operations satisfy the axioms of number theory or arithmetic. This paper is limited to $k\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{ary}$ representations of length L and to the axioms for arithmetic modulo ${k}^{L}.$ A model of the axioms is described based on an abstract L-fold tensor product Hilbert space ${\mathcal{H}}^{\mathrm{arith}}.$ Unitary maps of this space onto a physical parameter based product space ${\mathcal{H}}^{\mathrm{phy}}$ are then described. Each of these maps makes states in ${\mathcal{H}}^{\mathrm{phy}},$ and the induced operators, a model of the axioms. Consequences of the existence of many of these maps are discussed along with the dependence of Grover's and Shor's algorithms on these maps. The importance of the main physical requirement, that the basic arithmetic operations are efficiently implementable, is discussed. This condition states that there exist physically realizable Hamiltonians that can implement the basic arithmetic operations and that the space-time and thermodynamic resources required are polynomial in L.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.63.032305

Related papers

The Representation of Numbers by States in Quantum Mechanics

Paul A. Benioff

The representation of numbers by tensor product states of composite quantum systems is examined. Consideration is limitedto k — ary representations of length L and arithmetic mod K L An abstract representation on an L fold tensor product Hilbert space H arith of number states and operators for the basic arithmetic operation is described. Unitary maps onto a physical parameter based tensor product space H phy are defined and the relations between these two spaces and the dependence of algorithm dynamics on the unitary maps is discussed. The important condition of efficient implementation by physically realizable Hamiltonians of the basic arithmetic operations is also discussed.

arXiv:quant-ph/0009124•Kluwer Academic Publishers eBooks•Feb 24, 2006•0 citations

The Representation of Numbers in Quantum Mechanics

Paul A. Benioff

Earlier work on modular arithmetic of k-ary representations of length L of the natural numbers in quantum mechanics is extended here to k-ary representations of all natural numbers, and to integers and rational numbers. Since the length L is indeterminate, representations of states and operators using creation and annihilation operators for bosons and fermions are defined. Emphasis is on definitions and properties of operators corresponding to the basic operations whose properties are given by the axioms for each type of number. The importance of the requirement of efficient implementability for physical models of the axioms is emphasized. Based on this, successor operations for each value of j corresponding to addition of k^{j-1} if j>0 and k^{j} if j<0 are defined. It follows from the efficient implementability of these successors, which is the case for all computers, that implementation of the addition and multiplication operators, which are defined in terms of polynomially many iterations of the successors, should be efficient. This is not the case for definitions based on the successor for j=1 only. This is the only successor defined in the usual axioms of arithmetic.

arXiv:quant-ph/0103078•Mar 14, 2001•1 citation

Space of Quantum Theory Representations of Natural Numbers, Integers, and Rational Numbers

Paul A. Benioff

This paper extends earlier work on quantum theory representations of natural numbers N, integers I, and rational numbers Ra to describe a space of these representations and transformations on the space. The space is parameterized by 4-tuple points in a parameter set. Each point, (k,m,h,g), labels a specific representation of X = N, I, Ra as a Fock space F^{X}_{k,m,h} of states of finite length strings of qukits q and a string state basis B^{X}_{k,m,h,g}. The pair (m,h) locates the q string in a square integer lattice I \times I, k is the q base, and the function g fixes the gauge or basis states for each q. Maps on the parameter set induce transformations on on the representation space. There are two shifts, a base change operator W_{k',k}, and a basis or gauge transformation function U_{k}. The invariance of the axioms and theorems for N, I, and Ra under any transformation is discussed along with the dependence of the properties of W_{k',k} on the prime factors of k' and k. This suggests that one consider prime number q's, q_{2}, q_{3}, q_{5}, etc. as elementary and the base k q's as composites of the prime number q's.

arXiv:0704.3574•Apr 26, 2007•2 citations

Generalizing Stratonovich–Weyl Axioms for Composite Systems

A. Khvedelidze

Abstract The statistical model of quantum mechanics is based on the mapping between operators on the Hilbert space and functions on the phase space. This map can be implemented by an operator that satisfies physically motivated Stratonovich–Weyl axioms. Arguments are given in favour of a certain extension of the axioms, provided that there is a priori knowledge about the composite nature of the quantum system.

arXiv:2209.13298•Physics of Particles and Nuclei•Nov 29, 2023•1 citation

Hilbert Space Theory and Its Implementation in Quantum Computing Systems

Mehmet Keçeci

Hilbert spaces provide the fundamental mathematical framework for describing quantum mechanical systems. Their structure, characterized by an inner product and completeness, allows for the representation of quantum states as vectors and physical observables as self-adjoint operators. Key quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement find natural expression within this formalism. Superposition, where a quantum system can exist in multiple states simultaneously, is represented by linear combinations of basis vectors in the Hilbert space. Entanglement, a non-classical correlation between quantum systems, is described by non-separable state vectors in a tensor product of Hilbert spaces. These concepts are pivotal in quantum computing, where the unit of information, the qubit, is a two-level quantum system whose state is a vector in a two-dimensional complex Hilbert space (ℂ²). Quantum gates, which perform operations on qubits, are represented by unitary operators acting on these state vectors. The power of quantum computation, particularly in algorithms like Shor's or Grover's, stems from the ability to exploit superposition and entanglement, processes intrinsically described within the Hilbert space framework. Thus, a thorough understanding of Hilbert spaces is indispensable for grasping the principles of quantum mechanics and for advancing the field of quantum information and computation [1, 7]. The transition from classical bits to quantum qubits, and from classical logic gates to quantum unitary operations, is entirely predicated on the mathematical properties endowed by Hilbert spaces.

•Aug 8, 2025•1 citation

How logical foundation of quantum theory derives from foundational anomalies in pure mathematics

Steve Faulkner

Logical foundation for quantum theory is considered. I claim that quantum theory correctly represents Nature when mathematical physics embraces and indeed features, logical anomalies inherent in pure mathematics. This approach links undecidability in arithmetic with the logic of quantum experiments. The undecidablity occupies an algebraic environment which is the missing foundation for the 3-valued logic predicted by Hans Reichenbach, shown by him to resolve `causal anomalies' of quantum mechanics, such as: inconsistency between prepared and measured states, complementarity between pairs of observables, and the EPR-paradox of action at a distance. Arithmetic basic to mathematical physics, is presented formally as a logical system consisting of axioms and propositions. Of special interest are all propositions asserting the existence of particular numbers. All numbers satisfying the axioms permeate the arithmetic indistinguishably, but these logically partition into two distinct sets: numbers whose existence the axioms determine by proof, and numbers whose existence axioms cannot determine, being neither provable nor negatable. Failure of mathematical physics to incorporate this logical distinction is seen as reason for quantum theory being logically at odds with quantum experiments. Nature is interpreted as having rules isomorphic to the abovementioned axioms with these governing arithmetical combinations of necessary and possible values or effects in experiments. Soundness and Completeness theorems from mathematical logic emerge as profoundly fundamental principles for quantum theory, making good intuitive sense of the subject.

•Jan 1, 2011•0 citations
This paper represents one approach to making explicit some of the assumptions and conditions implied in the widespread representation of numbers by composite quantum systems. Any nonempty set and associated operations is a set of natural numbers or a model of arithmetic if the set and operations satisfy the axioms of number theory or arithmetic. This paper is limited to k\ensuremath−aryk\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{ary}k\ensuremath−ary representations of length L and to the axioms for arithmetic modulo kL.{k}^{L}.kL. A model of the axioms is described based on an abstract L-fold tensor product Hilbert space Harith.{\mathcal{H}}^{\mathrm{arith}}.Harith. Unitary maps of this space onto a physical parameter based product space Hphy{\mathcal{H}}^{\mathrm{phy}}Hphy are then described. Each of these maps makes states in Hphy,{\mathcal{H}}^{\mathrm{phy}},Hphy, and the induced operators, a model of the axioms. Consequences of the existence of many of these maps are discussed along with the dependence of Grover's and Shor's algorithms on these maps. The importance of the main physical requirement, that the basic arithmetic operations are efficiently implementable, is discussed. This condition states that there exist physically realizable Hamiltonians that can implement the basic arithmetic operations and that the space-time and thermodynamic resources required are polynomial in L.
The representation of numbers by tensor product states of composite quantum systems is examined. Consideration is limitedto k — ary representations of length L and arithmetic mod K L An abstract representation on an L fold tensor product Hilbert space H arith of number states and operators for the basic arithmetic operation is described. Unitary maps onto a physical parameter based tensor product space H phy are defined and the relations between these two spaces and the dependence of algorithm dynamics on the unitary maps is discussed. The important condition of efficient implementation by physically realizable Hamiltonians of the basic arithmetic operations is also discussed.
Earlier work on modular arithmetic of k-ary representations of length L of the natural numbers in quantum mechanics is extended here to k-ary representations of all natural numbers, and to integers and rational numbers. Since the length L is indeterminate, representations of states and operators using creation and annihilation operators for bosons and fermions are defined. Emphasis is on definitions and properties of operators corresponding to the basic operations whose properties are given by the axioms for each type of number. The importance of the requirement of efficient implementability for physical models of the axioms is emphasized. Based on this, successor operations for each value of j corresponding to addition of k^{j-1} if j>0 and k^{j} if j<0 are defined. It follows from the efficient implementability of these successors, which is the case for all computers, that implementation of the addition and multiplication operators, which are defined in terms of polynomially many iterations of the successors, should be efficient. This is not the case for definitions based on the successor for j=1 only. This is the only successor defined in the usual axioms of arithmetic.
This paper extends earlier work on quantum theory representations of natural numbers N, integers I, and rational numbers Ra to describe a space of these representations and transformations on the space. The space is parameterized by 4-tuple points in a parameter set. Each point, (k,m,h,g), labels a specific representation of X = N, I, Ra as a Fock space F^{X}_{k,m,h} of states of finite length strings of qukits q and a string state basis B^{X}_{k,m,h,g}. The pair (m,h) locates the q string in a square integer lattice I \times I, k is the q base, and the function g fixes the gauge or basis states for each q. Maps on the parameter set induce transformations on on the representation space. There are two shifts, a base change operator W_{k',k}, and a basis or gauge transformation function U_{k}. The invariance of the axioms and theorems for N, I, and Ra under any transformation is discussed along with the dependence of the properties of W_{k',k} on the prime factors of k' and k. This suggests that one consider prime number q's, q_{2}, q_{3}, q_{5}, etc. as elementary and the base k q's as composites of the prime number q's.
Hilbert spaces provide the fundamental mathematical framework for describing quantum mechanical systems. Their structure, characterized by an inner product and completeness, allows for the representation of quantum states as vectors and physical observables as self-adjoint operators. Key quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement find natural expression within this formalism. Superposition, where a quantum system can exist in multiple states simultaneously, is represented by linear combinations of basis vectors in the Hilbert space. Entanglement, a non-classical correlation between quantum systems, is described by non-separable state vectors in a tensor product of Hilbert spaces. These concepts are pivotal in quantum computing, where the unit of information, the qubit, is a two-level quantum system whose state is a vector in a two-dimensional complex Hilbert space (ℂ²). Quantum gates, which perform operations on qubits, are represented by unitary operators acting on these state vectors. The power of quantum computation, particularly in algorithms like Shor's or Grover's, stems from the ability to exploit superposition and entanglement, processes intrinsically described within the Hilbert space framework. Thus, a thorough understanding of Hilbert spaces is indispensable for grasping the principles of quantum mechanics and for advancing the field of quantum information and computation [1, 7]. The transition from classical bits to quantum qubits, and from classical logic gates to quantum unitary operations, is entirely predicated on the mathematical properties endowed by Hilbert spaces.
Logical foundation for quantum theory is considered. I claim that quantum theory correctly represents Nature when mathematical physics embraces and indeed features, logical anomalies inherent in pure mathematics. This approach links undecidability in arithmetic with the logic of quantum experiments. The undecidablity occupies an algebraic environment which is the missing foundation for the 3-valued logic predicted by Hans Reichenbach, shown by him to resolve `causal anomalies' of quantum mechanics, such as: inconsistency between prepared and measured states, complementarity between pairs of observables, and the EPR-paradox of action at a distance. Arithmetic basic to mathematical physics, is presented formally as a logical system consisting of axioms and propositions. Of special interest are all propositions asserting the existence of particular numbers. All numbers satisfying the axioms permeate the arithmetic indistinguishably, but these logically partition into two distinct sets: numbers whose existence the axioms determine by proof, and numbers whose existence axioms cannot determine, being neither provable nor negatable. Failure of mathematical physics to incorporate this logical distinction is seen as reason for quantum theory being logically at odds with quantum experiments. Nature is interpreted as having rules isomorphic to the abovementioned axioms with these governing arithmetical combinations of necessary and possible values or effects in experiments. Soundness and Completeness theorems from mathematical logic emerge as profoundly fundamental principles for quantum theory, making good intuitive sense of the subject.