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Algorithms · Block encoding · LCU

Linear combination of unitaries

A block-encoding primitive that turns a weighted sum of unitary operations into one larger unitary circuit.

Strong empiricalUpdated

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ancillatargetStep 1 of 3 · PREPARE · on ancillaPREPAREStep 2 of 3 · SELECT(I,X) · on ancilla, targetSELECT(I,X)Step 3 of 3 · PREPARE† · on ancillaPREPARE†

3 steps across 2 wires. Hover a step, or press play to go through them in order.

Expected outcomes

  • Success ancilla = 075%
  • Other branch25%
  • Steps3
  • Wires2
  • Terms2 in the toy circuit
  • Coefficientsα₀ = 0.75, α₁ = 0.25
  • SuccessAncilla postselection on |0⟩
  • Papers1

Where this sits

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  • LCHS — linear combination of Hamiltonian simulation Method

    Takes A block-encoding of A(t)A(t) with a normalization αA≥max⁡t∥A(t)∥\alpha_A \ge \max_t \lVert A(t)\rVert, preparation unitaries for u0u_0 and bb, the evolution time TT, and an error tolerance ε\varepsilon. Returns A state proportional to u(T)u(T), or a history state, together with separately stated matrix-query and initial-state-query complexity.

  • LCHS with the improved kernel Method

    Takes A block-encoding of A(t)A(t) with a normalization αA≥max⁡t∥A(t)∥\alpha_A \ge \max_t \lVert A(t)\rVert, preparation unitaries for u0u_0 and bb, the evolution time TT, and an error tolerance ε\varepsilon. Returns A state proportional to u(T)u(T), or a history state, together with separately stated matrix-query and initial-state-query complexity.

  • Kernel-weighted combination of unitary propagators Method

    Takes The generator A(t)A(t) with no Hermiticity assumed, the interval [0,T][0,T], and an error tolerance ε\varepsilon. Returns A Hermitian generator or a family of them, the enlargement of the space that carrying them cost, and the map that reads the original solution back — with the weight that map applies stated, because that weight is where the non-unitarity was moved to rather than removed.

  • Chebyshev series by linear combination of unitaries Method

    Takes A block-encoding of AA together with its subnormalisation α\alpha; a target function ff on [−1,1][-1,1]; an error budget ε\varepsilon. Returns A circuit implementing a block-encoding of f(A)f(A) to error ε\varepsilon, together with the query count in UU and U†U^\dagger.

  • Block-encoding from a Pauli decomposition Method

    Takes An access model for AA — sparse-access oracles, a Pauli or LCU decomposition, a purification, or an explicit arithmetic description — plus a target precision ε\varepsilon. Returns A unitary UU on s+as+a qubits, its subnormalization α\alpha, and its ancilla/flag count aa. Because ∥U∥=1\lVert U\rVert = 1, Gilyén, Su, Low and Wiebe's Definition 43 forces ∥A∥≤α+ε\lVert A\rVert \le \alpha + \varepsilon.

  • Truncated-Taylor LCU simulation Method

    Takes An access model for HH — a sum of efficiently exponentiable terms, sparse-access oracles, or a block-encoding — plus an evolution time tt and a target error ε\varepsilon. Returns A circuit approximating e−iHte^{-iHt} to within ε\varepsilon, with a stated query or gate count, an ancilla count, and the norm parameter — sparsity times ∥H∥max⁡\lVert H\rVert_{\max}, or the LCU 1-norm — that the cost is measured against.

Related entries

References

Strong empirical
  • Verified by construction
  • Small-instance agreement
  • Sub-block verification
  • Peer-reviewed paper
Method
The two-term example prepares an ancilla with amplitudes proportional to square-root coefficients, conditionally applies the selected unitary, and unprepares the ancilla. The zero ancilla branch is checked as the intended linear combination.
Result
Pass · the toy circuit encodes 0.75 I + 0.25 X up to the usual normalization and postselection branch.
Caveat
LCU success probability depends on coefficient normalization and amplification overhead; the snippet is not a complete Hamiltonian-simulation implementation.
Hamiltonian Simulation Using Linear Combinations of Unitary Operations ↗
Kind
curated reference
Reviewed by
Leona Quantum curation pass
License
CC BY 4.0-compatible reference metadata
lcublock encodinghamiltonian simulationamplitude amplification
  • Hamiltonian simulation and quantum walks
  • Block-encoded linear-algebra primitives
  • Subroutines for fault-tolerant amplitude amplification

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