Quantum algorithms for phase space tomography

Abstract

We present efficient circuits that can be used for the phase space tomography of quantum states. The circuits evaluate individual values or selected averages of the Wigner, Kirkwood and Husimi distributions. These quantum gate arrays can be programmed by initializing appropriate computational states. The Husimi circuit relies on a subroutine that is also interesting in its own right: the efficient preparation of a coherent state, which is the ground state of the Harper Hamiltonian.

9 pages, 14 figures. To appear in Phys. Rev. A