论文标题
抽样和自然的复杂性
Sampling and the complexity of nature
论文作者
论文摘要
随机性是量子理论的内在特征。任何量子测量的结果都是随机的,是根据由测得的量子状态定义的概率分布所取样的。因此,从规定的概率分布中采样的任务是量子设备的自然技术应用。在本文中提出的研究中,我研究了量子采样算法的复杂性理论和物理基础。我评估了自然量子模拟器的计算能力,并在复杂性理论论证中评估了量子采样器的经典棘手性(第一部分)的漏洞。我阐明了如何以及在哪些条件下如何在不可模拟的古典计算机上进行测试或验证量子采样设备(第二部分)。最后,我探索了经典和量子计算设备之间的计算边界(第三部分)。特别是,我对臭名昭著的蒙特卡洛符号问题进行了有效的计算措施,并根据其可实用性作为减轻或缓解符号问题的工具以及该任务的计算复杂性的工具来评估这些措施。 论文的总体主题是量子标志问题,这是由于路径之间的破坏性干扰引起的 - 一种本质上的量子效应。符号问题的(非)存在将角色作为标准,它描述了经典和量子计算设备之间的边界。我通过将量子标志问题识别为量子输出概率的计算棘手性的根源来开始论文。事实证明,概率分布的错综复杂的结构引起了符号问题,禁止其从几个样本中进行验证。具有讽刺意味的是,我表明评估量子系统的内在符号问题再次是一个棘手的问题。
Randomness is an intrinsic feature of quantum theory. The outcome of any quantum measurement will be random, sampled from a probability distribution that is defined by the measured quantum state. The task of sampling from a prescribed probability distribution is therefore a natural technological application of quantum devices. In the research presented in this thesis, I investigate the complexity-theoretic and physical foundations of quantum sampling algorithms. I assess the computational power of natural quantum simulators and close loopholes in the complexity-theoretic argument for the classical intractability of quantum samplers (Part I). I shed light on how and under which conditions quantum sampling devices can be tested or verified in regimes that are not simulable on classical computers (Part II). Finally, I explore the computational boundary between classical and quantum computing devices (Part III). In particular, I develop efficiently computable measures of the infamous Monte Carlo sign problem and assess those measures both in terms of their practicability as a tool for alleviating or easing the sign problem and the computational complexity of this task. An overarching theme of the thesis is the quantum sign problem which arises due to destructive interference between paths -- an intrinsically quantum effect. The (non-)existence of a sign problem takes on the role as a criterion which delineates the boundary between classical and quantum computing devices. I begin the thesis by identifying the quantum sign problem as a root of the computational intractability of quantum output probabilities. It turns out that the intricate structure of the probability distributions the sign problem gives rise to, prohibits their verification from few samples. In an ironic twist, I show that assessing the intrinsic sign problem of a quantum system is again an intractable problem.