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/9705041 · Physical Review A

Single quantum querying of a database

Barbara M. Terhal, John A. Smolin

Published Sep 1, 1998• 56 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We present a class of fast quantum algorithms, based on Bernstein and Vazirani's parity problem, that retrieves the entire contents of a quantum database $Y$ in a single query. The class includes binary search problems and coin-weighing problems. We compare the efficiency of these quantum algorithms with the classical algorithms that are bounded by the classical information-theoretic bound. We show the connection between classical algorithms based on several compression codes and our quantum-mechanical method.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.58.1822

Related papers

Superfast quantum algorithms for coin weighing and binary search problems

Barbara M. Terhal, John A. Smolin

We present a class of superfast quantum algorithms that retrieve the entire contents of a quantum database $Y$ in a single query. The class includes binary search problems and coin-weighing problems. Our methods far exceed the efficiency of classical algorithms which are bounded by the classical information-theoretic bound. We show the connection between classical algorithms based on linear hashing codes and our quantum-mechanical method.

•May 23, 1997•3 citations

Complex Quantum Queries

Lov K. Grover

A quantum mechanical computer can search a database consisting of N items in O(sqrt(N)) elementary quantum queries (a query is defined as any question to the database to which a binary (YES/NO) answer is required; an elementary query is a query pertaining to only one of the N possible states). A classical computer would take at least O(N) elementary queries. This paper shows that a quantum mechanical algorithm that can query information relating to multiple states, can search the database in a single query. A classical algorithm will be limited to the information theoretic bound of at least O(log N)queries (which it would achieve by using a binary search). A similar result was recently independently obtained by Terhal & Smolin by a different method.

•Jun 3, 1997•0 citations

Quantum Computers Can Search Arbitrarily Large Databases by a Single Query

Lov K. Grover

This paper shows that a quantum mechanical algorithm that can query information relating to multiple items of the database can search a database for a unique item satisfying a given condition, in a single query [a query is defined as any question to the database to which the database has to return a (yes/no answer]. A classical algorithm will be limited to the information theoretic bound of at least ${log}_{2}N$ queries, which it would achieve by using a binary search.

arXiv:quant-ph/9706005•Physical Review Letters•Dec 8, 1997•432 citations

Implementation of a quantum algorithm to solve the Bernstein-Vazirani parity problem without entanglement on an ensemble quantum computer

Jiangfeng Du, Mingjun Shi, Xianyi Zhou +4 more

Bernstein and Varizani have given the first quantum algorithm to solve the parity problem in which a strong violation of the classical information theoretic bound comes about. In this paper we refine this algorithm with fewer resources and implement a two-qubit algorithm in a single query on an ensemble quantum computer.

arXiv:quant-ph/0012114•Physical Review A•Sep 11, 2001•51 citations

A Generalization of Bernstein-Vazirani Algorithm to Qudit Systems

R Narayanan Krishna, Vishesh Makwana, Ananda Padhmanabhan Suresh

A quantum algorithm to solve the parity problem is better than its most efficient classical counter- part with a separation that is polynomial in the number of queries. This was shown by E. Bernstein and U. Vazirani and was one of the earliest indications that the quantum information processing can outperform the classical one by a significant margin. The problem and its solution both is usually stated for a 2-level system since we generally work with bits/qubits. However, many works have been done generalizing known quantum computing techniques to higher level systems. Following this, we look at a generalization of the Bernstein-Vazirani algorithm implemented on a general qudit system.

arXiv:1609.03185•Sep 11, 2016•5 citations

Quantum Query Algorithms

Walid E. Gomaa

This presentation gives a comprehensive overview of quantum query algorithms, beginning with an introduction to the query model of computation where input is accessed via an oracle function. It then details several foundational quantum algorithms that demonstrate a quantum advantage over classical approaches: Deutsch's problem is solved with a single query using phase kickback to determine if a function is constant or balanced; the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm extends this to n-bit inputs, efficiently distinguishing constant from balanced functions with one query versus an exponential need classically; the Bernstein-Vazirani algorithm identifies a hidden string with one query, outperforming classical linear requirements; and Simon's algorithm, which finds a hidden period in a two-to-one function with a linear number of queries, showcases an exponential speedup over the best classical probabilistic algorithms.

•Nov 19, 2025•0 citations
We present a class of fast quantum algorithms, based on Bernstein and Vazirani's parity problem, that retrieves the entire contents of a quantum database YYY in a single query. The class includes binary search problems and coin-weighing problems. We compare the efficiency of these quantum algorithms with the classical algorithms that are bounded by the classical information-theoretic bound. We show the connection between classical algorithms based on several compression codes and our quantum-mechanical method.
We present a class of superfast quantum algorithms that retrieve the entire contents of a quantum database YYY in a single query. The class includes binary search problems and coin-weighing problems. Our methods far exceed the efficiency of classical algorithms which are bounded by the classical information-theoretic bound. We show the connection between classical algorithms based on linear hashing codes and our quantum-mechanical method.
A quantum mechanical computer can search a database consisting of N items in O(sqrt(N)) elementary quantum queries (a query is defined as any question to the database to which a binary (YES/NO) answer is required; an elementary query is a query pertaining to only one of the N possible states). A classical computer would take at least O(N) elementary queries. This paper shows that a quantum mechanical algorithm that can query information relating to multiple states, can search the database in a single query. A classical algorithm will be limited to the information theoretic bound of at least O(log N)queries (which it would achieve by using a binary search). A similar result was recently independently obtained by Terhal & Smolin by a different method.
This paper shows that a quantum mechanical algorithm that can query information relating to multiple items of the database can search a database for a unique item satisfying a given condition, in a single query [a query is defined as any question to the database to which the database has to return a (yes/no answer]. A classical algorithm will be limited to the information theoretic bound of at least log2N{log}_{2}Nlog2​N queries, which it would achieve by using a binary search.
A quantum algorithm to solve the parity problem is better than its most efficient classical counter- part with a separation that is polynomial in the number of queries. This was shown by E. Bernstein and U. Vazirani and was one of the earliest indications that the quantum information processing can outperform the classical one by a significant margin. The problem and its solution both is usually stated for a 2-level system since we generally work with bits/qubits. However, many works have been done generalizing known quantum computing techniques to higher level systems. Following this, we look at a generalization of the Bernstein-Vazirani algorithm implemented on a general qudit system.
This presentation gives a comprehensive overview of quantum query algorithms, beginning with an introduction to the query model of computation where input is accessed via an oracle function. It then details several foundational quantum algorithms that demonstrate a quantum advantage over classical approaches: Deutsch's problem is solved with a single query using phase kickback to determine if a function is constant or balanced; the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm extends this to n-bit inputs, efficiently distinguishing constant from balanced functions with one query versus an exponential need classically; the Bernstein-Vazirani algorithm identifies a hidden string with one query, outperforming classical linear requirements; and Simon's algorithm, which finds a hidden period in a two-to-one function with a linear number of queries, showcases an exponential speedup over the best classical probabilistic algorithms.