A different kind of quantum search

The quantum search algorithm consists of an alternating sequence of selective inversions and diffusion type operations, as a result of which it can find a target state in an unsorted database of size N in only sqrt(N) queries. This paper shows that by replacing the selective inversions by selective phase shifts of Pi/3, the algorithm gets transformed into something similar to a classical search algorithm. Just like classical search algorithms this algorithm has a fixed point in state-space toward which it preferentially converges. In contrast, the original quantum search algorithm moves uniformly in a two-dimensional state space. This feature leads to robust search algorithms and also to conceptually new schemes for error correction.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Quantum search on structured problems

This paper shows how a basic property of unitary transformations can be used for meaningful computations. This approach immediately leads to search-type applications, where it improves the number of steps by a square-root - a simple minded search that takes N steps, can be improved to O(sqrt(N)) steps. The quantum search algorithm is one of several immediate consequences of this framework. Several novel search-related applications are presented.Comment: To be presented at the 1st NASA QCQC conference in Palm Springs, California, Feb. 17-20, '98. 12 pages, postscrip