Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv · 2610.25138

On the Complexity of Level-Synchronized Tree Automata for Quantum Circuit Verification

Abstract

Reliable quantum computation requires methods for verifying quantum circuits. Level-synchronized tree automata (LSTAs) were recently introduced to represent sets of quantum states for this purpose. We study LSTAs along two axes relevant to verification: the complexity of their decision problems and the size of their representations under circuit operations. We prove that acyclic LSTAs have NP-complete nonemptiness and $Π_2^P$-complete language inclusion, and that general language inclusion is EXPSPACE-complete. We further prove inherent quadratic representation growth under individual quantum gates in a fixed qubit order, and give an adjacent-qubit reordering construction that preserves level synchronization. These results clarify the scope of applicability of the automata-theoretic toolbox for quantum circuit verification.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Michael Blondin, Samy Chady Khoumsi-Kasmi, Guillermo A. Pérez, Marnix Suilen. 2026-10-18. On the Complexity of Level-Synchronized Tree Automata for Quantum Circuit Verification. https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.25138

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Quantum Mechanics as a Reversible Diffusion Theory

This paper proposes an interpretation of quantum mechanics, relying on the time-symmetric stochastic dynamics of quantum particles and on non-classical probability theory. Our main purpose is to demonstrate that the wave function and its complex conjugate can be interpreted as complex probability distributions in two complex diffusion equations related to non-real forward and backward in time stochastic motions respectively. We say non-real because Schroedinger forward and backward diffusions describe both reversible (real trajectories) and irreversible trajectories (non-real trajectories). The reversible trajectories are the only real trajectories and are given by the intersection of those forward and backward processes. It turns out that if we translate this intersection using set-theoretic language, we are led to a reversible diffusion described by Born rule probabilities. This proposal is useful also for explaining more about the role of complex numbers in quantum mechanics that produces this so-called "wave-like" nature of quantum reality. Our perspective also challenges the notion of physical superposition and aims at a derivation of superposition principle not based on the linearity of Schroedinger's equation but relying on pure probability theory. Moreover, it is suggested that, embracing the idea of stochastic processes in quantum theory, explains the reasons for the appearance of classical behavior in large objects, in contrast to the quantum behavior of small ones. In other words, we claim that a combination of a probabilistic and no-ontic view (neither epistemic though) of the wave function with a stochastic hidden-variables approach, may provide some insight into the quantum physical reality and potentially establish the groundwork for a novel interpretation of quantum mechanics.

quant-ph↗

QUT: A Unit Testing Framework for Quantum Subroutines

We present the architectural design and prototype implementation of QUT (Quantum Unit Testing), a framework for unit testing of quantum subroutines. The framework is developed with a focus on usability and simplicity, making the complex theoretical concepts behind quantum unit testing accessible to a wide range of users with diverse backgrounds. This is achieved through the implementation of polymorphic probabilistic assertions, whose evaluation methods adapt to the data types of the arguments used in assertion statements, which may vary according to the context-dependent semantics of quantum subroutines. These arguments can be represented as qubit measurement outcomes, density matrices, or Choi matrices. For each type, the architecture integrates a specific testing protocol - such as quantum process tomography, quantum state tomography, or Pearson's chi-squared test - while remaining flexible enough to incorporate additional protocols in the future. The framework is built on the Qiskit software stack, providing compatibility with a broad range of quantum hardware backends and simulation platforms. Drawing on the reasoning provided by the denotational semantics of quantum subroutines, this work also highlights the key distinctions between quantum unit testing and its classical counterpart.

quant-ph↗

Entanglement spectrum and Schmidt mode evolution during two-particle scattering

A particle initially in a pure state but interacting with some environment evolves into a discrete ensemble of pure states, the eigenstates of its reduced density operator, with ensemble probabilities given by the corresponding eigenvalues. In this work, we use numerics to present explicit results for the time-dependence of these eigenvalues and eigenstates for simple scattering experiments in one and two dimensions. This provides a time-resolved picture of the scattering process, showing in detail how an initial state described entirely in terms of continuous parameters evolves into a discrete set of possible outcomes, each with an associated probability and time-evolving wavefunction. We find that for scattering of Gaussian wavepackets in one dimension, the late time spectrum is dominated by two large eigenvalues nearly equal to the transmission and reflection probabilities associated with the central value of momentum. The corresponding eigenstates appear as single-peaked reflected or transmitted wavepackets. The remaining smaller eigenvalues, which increase to a maximum during scattering and then decrease to small values, correspond to reflected or transmitted wavepackets with multiple spatially separated parts. In this case and also for two-dimensional scattering, we find that successively smaller eigenvalues correspond to probability distributions with successively more peaks. These multi-peaked states correspond to outcomes of the scattering experiment where a particle initially in a single wavepacket ends up in a superposition of separated wavepackets after scattering.

quant-ph↗