A Symmetry-Based Taxonomy of Quantum Algorithms

Abstract

We propose a taxonomy for quantum algorithms grounded in the fundamental symmetries, both continuous and discrete, underlying quantum state spaces, oracles, and circuit dynamics. By organizing algorithms according to their symmetry groups and invariants, we define distinct algorithm classes whose behavior, verification, and complexity can be characterized by the symmetries they preserve or exploit. This symmetry-centric classification not only reflects the deep connection between symmetries and conservation laws in physics, but also yields practical benefits for scalable and reliable quantum computation.