Path Integration on a Quantum Computer

Abstract

We study path integration on a quantum computer that performs quantum summation. We assume that the measure of path integration is Gaussian, with the eigenvalues of its covariance operator of order j^{-k} with k>1. For the Wiener measure occurring in many applications we have k=2. We want to compute an $\e$-approximation to path integrals whose integrands are at least Lipschitz. We prove: 1. Path integration on a quantum computer is tractable. 2. Path integration on a quantum computer can be solved roughly $\e^{-1}$ times faster than on a classical computer using randomization, and exponentially faster than on a classical computer with a worst case assurance. 3.The number of quantum queries is the square root of the number of function values needed on a classical computer using randomization. More precisely, the number of quantum queries is at most $4.22 \e^{-1}$. Furthermore, a lower bound is obtained for the minimal number of quantum queries which shows that this bound cannot be significantly improved. 4.The number of qubits is polynomial in $\e^{-1}$. Furthermore, for the Wiener measure the degree is 2 for Lipschitz functions, and the degree is 1 for smoother integrands.