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arXiv · 2111.09283

Nearly Optimal Quantum Algorithm for Estimating Multiple Expectation Values

William J. Huggins·Kianna Wan·Jarrod McClean·Thomas E. O'Brien·Nathan Wiebe·Ryan Babbush
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Abstract

Many quantum algorithms involve the evaluation of expectation values. Optimal strategies for estimating a single expectation value are known, requiring a number of state preparations that scales with the target error $\varepsilon$ as $\mathcal{O}(1/\varepsilon)$. In this paper, we address the task of estimating the expectation values of $M$ different observables, each to within additive error $\varepsilon$, with the same $1/\varepsilon$ dependence. We describe an approach that leverages Gily\'en et al.'s quantum gradient estimation algorithm to achieve $\mathcal{O}(\sqrt{M}/\varepsilon)$ scaling up to logarithmic factors, regardless of the commutation properties of the $M$ observables. We prove that this scaling is worst-case optimal in the high-precision regime if the state preparation is treated as a black box, even when the operators are mutually commuting. We highlight the flexibility of our approach by presenting several generalizations, including a strategy for accelerating the estimation of a collection of dynamic correlation functions.

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William J. Huggins, Kianna Wan, Jarrod McClean, Thomas E. O'Brien, Nathan Wiebe, Ryan Babbush. 2021-11-17. Nearly Optimal Quantum Algorithm for Estimating Multiple Expectation Values. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.129.240501

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