The State Cost of Classical Simulation of One-Way General Quantum Finite Automata

Abstract

Under strict cutpoints, probabilistic finite automata (PFAs) and one-way general quantum finite automata (1gQFAs) recognize the same stochastic languages, shifting the theoretical focus to the state cost required for a classical PFA to simulate a 1gQFA. For an $n$-state ($n\ge 2$) 1gQFA, the state cost upper bound of classical simulation was previously known to be $n^2+3$, while the lower bound remained an open problem widely conjectured to be quadratic. After establishing a well-defined notion of classical simulation, we improve the existing state cost upper bound from $n^2+3$ to $n^2+1$. Subsequently, we introduce the concepts of shattering and dynamic shattering, which are used to determine the memory required for a PFA to recognize a language. Using these techniques, we prove that the state cost lower bound of the simulation reaches $n^2+1$ over a four-letter alphabet. With the upper and lower bounds thus matching, the problem is fully resolved.