Evolution of quantum computer algorithms from reversible operators

Abstract

An application of an evolutionary approach to hardware design is presented. A genetic algorithm was developed to discover good designs for quantum computer algorithms. The algorithms are expressed as quantum operator sequences applied in a circuit model. The circuits discovered are configurations of special purpose quantum computers. We have been exploring the evolution of algorithms as alternative configurations of hardware. By simulation it is established that the circuits will correctly compute a small collection of basic, low-level functions. Experiments produced designs for primitive quantum computers that evaluate logical or arithmetic functions with a total of twelve or fewer inputs and outputs.