Quantum phase estimation algorithms with delays: effects of dynamical phases

Abstract

The unavoidable finite time intervals between the sequential operations needed for performing practical quantum computing can degrade the performance of quantum computers. During these delays, unwanted relative dynamical phases are produced due to the free evolution of the superposition wavefunction of the qubits. In general, these coherent ‘errors’ modify the desired quantum interferences and thus spoil the correct results, compared to the ideal standard quantum computing that does not consider the effects of delays between successive unitary operations. Here, we show that, in the framework of the quantum phase estimation algorithm, these coherent phase ‘errors’, produced by the time delays between sequential operations, can be avoided by setting up the delay times to satisfy certain matching conditions.