Related papers: Lower bounds for randomized and quantum query comp…
Query complexity is a model of computation in which we have to compute a function $f(x_1, \ldots, x_N)$ of variables $x_i$ which can be accessed via queries. The complexity of an algorithm is measured by the number of queries that it makes.…
We show that any quantum algorithm searching an ordered list of n elements needs to examine at least 1/12 log n-O(1) of them. Classically, log n queries are both necessary and sufficient. This shows that quantum algorithms can achieve only…
We prove lower bounds on the error probability of a quantum algorithm for searching through an unordered list of N items, as a function of the number T of queries it makes. In particular, if T=O(sqrt{N}) then the error is lower bounded by a…
This work studies the quantum query complexity of Boolean functions in a scenario where it is only required that the query algorithm succeeds with a probability strictly greater than 1/2. We show that, just as in the communication…
We show that all known classical adversary lower bounds on randomized query complexity are equivalent for total functions, and are equal to the fractional block sensitivity $\text{fbs}(f)$. That includes the Kolmogorov complexity bound of…
Learned index structures aim to accelerate queries by training machine learning models to approximate the rank function associated with a database attribute. While effective in practice, their theoretical limitations are not fully…
Quantum-inspired classical algorithms provide us with a new way to understand the computational power of quantum computers for practically-relevant problems, especially in machine learning. In the past several years, numerous efficient…
This note complements the paper "One-Way Ticket to Las Vegas and the Quantum Adversary" (arxiv:2301.02003). I develop the ideas behind the adversary bound - universal algorithm duality therein in a different form, using the same perspective…
We give a general method for proving quantum lower bounds for problems with small range. Namely, we show that, for any symmetric problem defined on functions $f:\{1, ..., N\}\to\{1, ..., M\}$, its polynomial degree is the same for all…
This paper explores a fine-grained version of the Watrous conjecture, including the randomized and quantum algorithms with success probabilities arbitrarily close to $1/2$. Our contributions include the following: i) An analysis of the…
We show that Durr-Hoyer's quantum algorithm of searching for extreme point of integer function can not be sped up for functions chosen randomly. Any other algorithm acting in substantially shorter time $o(\sqrt{2^n})$ gives incorrect answer…
The approximate degree of a Boolean function is the minimum degree of real polynomial that approximates it pointwise. For any Boolean function, its approximate degree serves as a lower bound on its quantum query complexity, and generically…
We show that any quantum algorithm deciding whether an input function $f$ from $[n]$ to $[n]$ is 2-to-1 or almost 2-to-1 requires $\Theta(n)$ queries to $f$. The same lower bound holds for determining whether or not a function $f$ from…
Given a Boolean function f, we study two natural generalizations of the certificate complexity C(f): the randomized certificate complexity RC(f) and the quantum certificate complexity QC(f). Using Ambainis' adversary method, we exactly…
The query model offers a concrete setting where quantum algorithms are provably superior to randomized algorithms. Beautiful results by Bernstein-Vazirani, Simon, Aaronson, and others presented partial Boolean functions that can be computed…
Proving complexity lower bounds remains a challenging task: we only know how to prove conditional uniform lower bounds and nonuniform lower bounds in restricted circuit models. Williams (STOC 2010) showed how to derive nonuniform lower…
The standard model of quantum circuits assumes operations are applied in a fixed sequential "causal" order. In recent years, the possibility of relaxing this constraint to obtain causally indefinite computations has received significant…
We present a quantum algorithmic routine that extends the realm of Grover-based heuristics for tackling combinatorial optimization problems with arbitrary efficiently computable objective and constraint functions. Building on previously…
In the thesis, we use a recently developed tight characterisation of quantum query complexity, the adversary bound, to develop new quantum algorithms and lower bounds. Our results are as follows: * We develop a new technique for the…
The Chernoff bound is one of the most widely used tools in theoretical computer science. It's rare to find a randomized algorithm that doesn't employ a Chernoff bound in its analysis. The standard proofs of Chernoff bounds are beautiful but…