Relationships between quantum and classical space-bounded complexity classes

Abstract

This paper investigates the relative power of space-bounded quantum and classical (probabilistic) computational models. The following relationships are proved. 1. Any probabilistic Turing machine (PTM) which runs in space s and which halts absolutely (i.e. halts with certainty after a finite number of steps) can be simulated in space O(s) by a quantum Turing machine (QTM). If the PTM operates with bounded error, then the QTM may be taken to operate with bounded error as well, although the QTM may not halt absolutely in this case. In the unbounded error case, the QTM may be taken to halt absolutely. 2. Any QTM running in space s can be simulated by an unbounded error PTM running in space O(s). No assumptions on the probability of error or Turing time for the QTM are required, but it is assumed that all transition amplitudes of the quantum machine are rational. It follows that unbounded error, space O(s) bounded quantum Turing machines and probabilistic Turing machines are equivalent in power. This implies that any space s QTM can be simulated deterministically in space O(s/sup 2/), and further that any (unbounded-error) QTM running in log-space can be simulated in NC/sup 2/ We also consider quantum analogues of nondeterministic and one-sided error probabilistic space-bounded classes, and prove some simple relationships regarding these classes.