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Unleashing the Power of Quantum Fourier Transform Algorithms

  • James Martinez
  • Aug 6, 2021
  • 3 min read

Updated: Sep 13, 2024

The quantum Fourier transform (QFT) is a fundamental operation in quantum computing that plays a crucial role in several quantum algorithms. It is the quantum counterpart of the discrete Fourier transform, a technique used to decompose a signal into its constituent frequencies. The QFT can be efficiently implemented on a quantum computer using only a polynomial number of quantum gates. The quantum Fourier transform is a powerful tool in quantum computing that is analogous to the classical discrete Fourier transform. It is used as a subroutine in many quantum algorithms due to its efficiency in manipulating superposition of quantum states.

The Hadamard transform, which is an example of a QFT over an n-dimensional vector space over the field F2, is often used as a subroutine in many quantum algorithms. The Hadamard transform is a special case of the quantum Fourier transform over a vector space, and it is widely used in many quantum algorithms. Here are some examples:

Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm:

This algorithm solves a black-box problem that requires exponentially many queries for any deterministic classical computer, but can be done with one query by a quantum computer. It determines whether a function f is either constant or balanced. One of the most famous algorithms based on the quantum Fourier transform is the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm. This algorithm solves a black-box problem which requires exponentially many queries to the black box for any deterministic classical computer, but can be done with one query by a quantum computer. The algorithm is used to determine whether a function is either constant or balanced. However, when comparing bounded-error classical and quantum algorithms, there is no speedup since a classical probabilistic algorithm can solve the problem with a constant number of queries with small probability of error.


Bernstein-Vazirani algorithm:

Another important algorithm based on the quantum Fourier transform is the Bernstein-Vazirani algorithm. This algorithm solves a problem more efficiently than the best-known classical algorithm and creates an oracle separation between BQP and BPP. This was the first quantum algorithm that solves a problem more efficiently than the best known classical algorithm. Its main purpose was to create an oracle separation between the complexity classes BQP and BPP.


Simon's algorithm:

Simon's algorithm is yet another example of an algorithm that utilizes the quantum Fourier transform. It solves a black-box problem exponentially faster than any classical algorithm, including bounded-error probabilistic algorithms. This algorithm was the motivation for Shor's factoring algorithm, which is widely considered one of the most important quantum algorithms. This algorithm solves a black-box problem exponentially faster than any classical algorithm, including bounded-error probabilistic algorithms.


Quantum phase estimation algorithm:

The quantum phase estimation algorithm is also based on the quantum Fourier transform. It is used to determine the eigenphase of an eigenvector of a unitary gate given a quantum state proportional to the eigenvector and access to the gate. This algorithm is frequently used as a subroutine in other algorithms.


Shor's algorithm:

Shor's algorithm is one of the most well-known quantum algorithms based on the quantum Fourier transform. It solves the discrete logarithm problem and the integer factorization problem in polynomial time, while the best known classical algorithms take super-polynomial time. These problems are not known to be in P or NP-complete. Shor's algorithm is one of the few quantum algorithms that solves a non-black-box problem in polynomial time, where the best known classical algorithms run in super-polynomial time. It solves the discrete logarithm problem and the integer factorization problem in polynomial time, whereas the best-known classical algorithms take super-polynomial time.


The QFT can also be used to solve other problems, such as the abelian hidden subgroup problem, the Boson sampling problem, and estimating Gauss sums. Fourier fishing and Fourier checking, which require finding specific strings satisfying certain conditions in the Hadamard-Fourier transform, can be done in bounded-error quantum polynomial time (BQP). In conclusion, the quantum Fourier transform is a powerful tool in quantum computing that enables exponential speedups over classical algorithms for many problems. Its efficient implementation on a quantum computer makes it a versatile and indispensable component of several quantum algorithms.



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