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Experimental realization of Shor's quantum factoring algorithm using qubit recycling

Nature Photonics volume 6, pages 773–776 (2012)Cite this article

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Abstract

Quantum computational algorithms exploit quantum mechanics to solve problems exponentially faster than the best classical algorithms1,2,3. Shor's quantum algorithm4 for fast number factoring is a key example and the prime motivator in the international effort to realize a quantum computer5. However, due to the substantial resource requirement, to date there have been only four small-scale demonstrations6,7,8,9. Here, we address this resource demand and demonstrate a scalable version of Shor's algorithm in which the n-qubit control register is replaced by a single qubit that is recycled n times: the total number of qubits is one-third of that required in the standard protocol10,11. Encoding the work register in higher-dimensional states, we implement a two-photon compiled algorithm to factor N = 21. The algorithmic output is distinguishable from noise, in contrast to previous demonstrations. These results point to larger-scale implementations of Shor's algorithm by harnessing scalable resource reductions applicable to all physical architectures.

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Figure 1: The iterative order-finding algorithm for factoring 21.
Figure 2: Compiled iterative order-finding algorithm.
Figure 3: Demonstration of order finding.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank S. Bartlett, R. Jozsa, G. McConnell, T. Ralph, T. Rudolph and P. Shadbolt for helpful discussions. This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the European Research Council (ERC), PHORBITECH and the Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information (NSQI). J.O.B. acknowledges a Royal Society Wolfson Merit Award.

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Author notes

  1. Enrique Martín-López, Anthony Laing and Thomas Lawson: These authors contributed equally to this work

Authors and Affiliations

  1. H. H. Wills Physics Laboratory & Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Centre for Quantum Photonics, University of Bristol, Merchant Venturers Building, Woodland Road, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK

    Enrique Martín-López, Anthony Laing, Thomas Lawson, Roberto Alvarez, Xiao-Qi Zhou & Jeremy L. O'Brien

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  1. Enrique Martín-López
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  2. Anthony Laing
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  3. Thomas Lawson
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  4. Roberto Alvarez
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  6. Jeremy L. O'Brien
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Contributions

The theory was developed by T.L. and A.L. The theory was mapped to the experimental circuit by A.L., T.L., E.M.-L., X.Z. and J.O.B. Experiments were performed by E.M.-L., T.L., A.L., R.A. and X.Z. Data were analysed by A.L., E.M.-L., T.L., X.Z. and J.O.B. The manuscript was written by A.L., T.L., E.M.-L., X.Z. and J.O.B. The project was supervised by A.L. and J.O.B.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeremy L. O'Brien.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Martín-López, E., Laing, A., Lawson, T. et al. Experimental realization of Shor's quantum factoring algorithm using qubit recycling. Nature Photon 6, 773–776 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2012.259

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