Pushing Boundaries: Quantum-Enhanced Leader Election and the Limits of Consensus

Abstract

This work addresses the complexities involved in designing distributed quantum algorithms, highlighting that quantum entanglement does not bypass the Fischer-Lynch-Paterson (FLP) impossibility theorem in asynchronous networks. Although quantum resources such as entanglement offer potential speedups, the inherent constraints of classical communication remain. We develop a leader election algorithm as a proof of concept, demonstrating how entanglement can enhance efficiency while still contending with asynchronous delays. This algorithm serves as a foundation for a broader blueprint for future distributed quantum algorithms, providing insights into both the real performance gains and the limitations that entanglement offers in a distributed setting.