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
121
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.
 

1. What is a quantum circuit?

A quantum circuit is a graphical representation of quantum operations, similar to a classical circuit. It is made up of quantum gates, which are mathematical operations that manipulate quantum bits (qubits) to perform calculations.

2. How does time evolution work in a quantum circuit?

Time evolution in a quantum circuit is the process of applying quantum gates to a system of qubits over a specific period of time. This allows for the manipulation and transformation of the qubits, leading to different quantum states and potential outcomes.

3. What are the challenges in understanding quantum circuit time evolution?

One of the main challenges in understanding quantum circuit time evolution is the complex nature of quantum mechanics. It requires a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and the ability to think in terms of probabilities rather than deterministic outcomes.

4. How is quantum circuit time evolution used in quantum computing?

Quantum circuit time evolution is a crucial aspect of quantum computing as it allows for the execution of quantum algorithms. By manipulating qubits through time evolution, quantum computers can solve complex problems that are difficult for classical computers to solve in a reasonable amount of time.

5. What are some real-world applications of quantum circuit time evolution?

Quantum circuit time evolution has potential applications in various fields, such as cryptography, drug discovery, and optimization problems. It can also be used in the development of quantum sensors and quantum simulations for studying complex systems.

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