Work

Trade-off Between Complexity and Energy in Quantum Phase Estimation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Quantifying the energetic cost of implementing quantum operations is essential for assessing the efficiency and scalability of quantum sensing and information-processing technologies. Here, we introduce a framework for analyzing the interplay between complexity and energy cost of quantum processes. In particular, we apply our framework to a sequential quantum phase estimation protocol, where a phase of physical significance is encoded in a quantum channel. The channel is applied to a probe state repeatedly until the probe is measured and the outcome leads to an estimate on the phase. We establish a trade-off relation between the total energy cost of the protocol and the number of times the channel is applied (complexity), while reaching a desired estimation precision. A sweet spot is located where the two quantities are co-optimized. The principles of our analysis can be adapted to benchmark the energetic requirements in other quantum protocols and devices.

Source: PRX Energy

DOI: 10.1103/zlhs-7m9m

Authors: Yukuan Tao, Mădălin Guţă, Gerardo Adesso

Institution: University of Nottingham

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture

Subfield: Artificial Intelligence

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Awards: High Throughput Laser Array Based Additive Manufacturing, Statistical theory of controlled quantum dynamics, DTP 2224 University of Nottingham