Quantum image filtering and its reversible logic circuit design

Abstract

Quantum information processing can overcome the limitations of classical computation. Consequently, image filtering using quantum computation has become a research hotspot. Here, a quantum algorithm is presented on the basis of the classical image filtering principle to detect and cancel the noise of an image. To this end, a quantum algorithm that completes the image filtering task is proposed and implemented. The novel enhanced quantum representation of digital images is introduced. Then, four basic modules, namely, position-shifting, parallel-CNOT, parallel-swap, and compare the max, are demonstrated. Two composite modules that can be utilised to realise the reversible logic circuit of the proposed quantum algorithm are designed on the basis of these basic modules. Simulation-based experimental results show the feasibility and the capabilities of the proposed quantum image filtering scheme. In addition, our proposal has outperformed its classical counterpart and other existing quantum image filtering schemes supported by detailed theoretical analysis of the computational complexity. Thus, it can potentially be used for highly efficient image filtering in a quantum computer age.