How quaternion algebras over number fields are useful for creating compiler for a quantum computer?
Solving the following problem is crucial when compiling for a quantum computer: given a finite set G of elements of SU(2), target element U from SU(2) and real number ϵ find g1,…,gN from G such that ‖g1⋯gN−U‖<ϵ. It is known that if Hecke operator corresponding to G has spectral gap, then N can always be chosen to be less than C1log(1/ϵ)+C2 for constants C1 and C2 depending only on G. For example, this is the case when entries of elements of G are algebraic numbers [J. Bourgain, A. Gamburd, On the spectral gap for finitely-generated subgroups of SU(2)]. When building a compiler for quantum computer one needs an efficient algorithm for finding the sequence g1,...,gN given U and epsilon such that N<C1log(1/ϵ)+C2. In my talk I will review the recent progress towards such an algorithm for finite sets G related to maximal orders of quaternion algebras over number fields and state many open questions. The talk is partially based on my joint work with Jon Yard http://arxiv.org/abs/1504.04350.