Path Integration on a Quantum Computer
Abstract
We study path integration on a quantum computer that performs quantum summation. We assume that the measure of path integration is Gaussian, with the eigenvalues of its covariance operator of order j^{-k} with k>1. For the Wiener measure occurring in many applications we have k=2. We want to compute an -approximation to path integrals whose integrands are at least Lipschitz. We prove: 1. Path integration on a quantum computer is tractable. 2. Path integration on a quantum computer can be solved roughly times faster than on a classical computer using randomization, and exponentially faster than on a classical computer with a worst case assurance. 3.The number of quantum queries is the square root of the number of function values needed on a classical computer using randomization. More precisely, the number of quantum queries is at most . Furthermore, a lower bound is obtained for the minimal number of quantum queries which shows that this bound cannot be significantly improved. 4.The number of qubits is polynomial in . Furthermore, for the Wiener measure the degree is 2 for Lipschitz functions, and the degree is 1 for smoother integrands.
Cite
@article{arxiv.quant-ph/0109113,
title = {Path Integration on a Quantum Computer},
author = {J. F. Traub and H. Wozniakowski},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:quant-ph/0109113},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
24 pages; Revision of 9/2/02 includes a query lower bound and the upper bound of $4.22 \e^{-1}$ to compute an $\e$-approximation to a path integral