Principles of quantum functional testing

TL;DR

This paper discusses principles for efficiently testing quantum devices' functionality, proposing methods to improve decision-making processes without full quantum channel characterization, which is often infeasible.

Contribution

It introduces three key ingredients—channel iteration, decision criteria, and adaptive design—to accelerate quantum functional testing.

Findings

Proposes iterative testing methods for quantum channels

Develops efficient decision criteria for device validation

Analyzes adaptive experimental design for quantum testing

Abstract

With increasing commercial availability of quantum information processing devices the need for testing them efficiently for their specified functionality will arise. Complete quantum channel characterization is out of the question for anything more than the simplest quantum channels for one or two qubits. Quantum functional testing leads to a decision problem with outcomes corresponding to rejection or acceptance of the claim of the producer that the device parameters are within certain specifications. In this context, we introduce and analyse three ingredients that can speed up this decision problem: iteration of the channel, efficient decision criteria, and non-greedy adaptive experimental design.