Quantum Circuit Confusion On Time Evolution

In summary, the conversation discusses how time evolution on an operator can be represented through a quantum circuit and how it may look when conjugating operators with non-commuting Hamiltonians. It is suggested that vertically stacking gates may not accurately represent the elapsed time, and using the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff formula may be necessary to find an appropriate operator for accurate representation.
  • #1
thatboi
133
18
Hi all,
When working in the Heisenberg picture, we can represent implementing time evolution on an operator via a Hamiltonian H through a quantum circuit type picture like the following:
1686890731927.png

where time is on the vertical axis and increases going up and the block represents the unitary gate ##e^{-iHt}##. However, I am struggling to picture how this would look on a circuit if instead, we wanted to conjugate some operator ##O## via the unitaries ##e^{-iH_{1}t},e^{-iH_{2}t}## where ##[H_{1},H_{2}] \neq 0##. That is, ##O(t) = e^{-iH_{2}t}e^{-iH_{1}t}Oe^{iH_{1}t}e^{iH_{2}t}##. Vertically stacking the gates on top of each other doesn't seem to make much sense to me since it would then seem to imply that we have elapsed a time ##2t## through this time evolution.
Any thoughts?
 
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  • #2
Is it really important how much time was spent? If not, then vertically stacking gates is OK. If yes, then you need to find an operator ##H## such that
$$e^{iH_1t}e^{iH_2t}=e^{iHt}$$
For that purpose, you need to use some version of Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff formula.
 

FAQ: Quantum Circuit Confusion On Time Evolution

What is a quantum circuit and how does it relate to time evolution?

A quantum circuit is a computational routine consisting of coherent quantum operations on quantum data, such as quantum gates and measurements. Time evolution in a quantum circuit refers to the changes in the quantum state of a system over time, typically described by the Schrödinger equation. In the context of quantum circuits, time evolution is implemented through a sequence of quantum gates that simulate the dynamics of a quantum system.

How do quantum gates implement time evolution in a quantum circuit?

Quantum gates are the basic building blocks of quantum circuits, analogous to classical logic gates in conventional computing. They manipulate qubits, the fundamental units of quantum information. To implement time evolution, specific quantum gates are applied in a sequence that corresponds to the unitary transformation dictated by the Hamiltonian of the system. This sequence of gates effectively simulates the continuous time evolution of the quantum state.

What is the role of the Hamiltonian in quantum circuit time evolution?

The Hamiltonian is an operator that represents the total energy of a quantum system and dictates its time evolution. In the context of quantum circuits, the Hamiltonian determines the unitary transformation that describes how the quantum state evolves over time. By decomposing this unitary transformation into a sequence of quantum gates, one can simulate the time evolution of the system within a quantum circuit.

Why is there confusion about time evolution in quantum circuits?

Confusion about time evolution in quantum circuits often arises due to the abstract nature of quantum mechanics and the complexity of translating continuous time evolution into discrete quantum gates. Additionally, the mathematical formalism involving unitary transformations, Hamiltonians, and the exponential of operators can be challenging to understand. This complexity can make it difficult for those new to the field to grasp how time evolution is implemented in practice.

How can one verify the correctness of time evolution in a quantum circuit?

To verify the correctness of time evolution in a quantum circuit, one can compare the results of the circuit simulation with known analytical solutions or numerical simulations of the Schrödinger equation. Additionally, one can perform specific measurements on the quantum state at various time steps and check if the outcomes match the expected theoretical predictions. Techniques such as quantum state tomography can also be used to reconstruct the quantum state and ensure that the time evolution has been implemented correctly.

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