Reasoning about Continuous-Variable Quantum Systems

Abstract

Continuous-variable quantum computing (CVQC) is a computing paradigm in which measurements yield values over a continuous domain. CVQC is both a convenient omputational framework for modeling physical quantum systems, and a good abstraction for hardware platforms based on quantum optics. Yet, the semantic foundations of CVQC remain underdeveloped. To address this gap, we develop a formal semantics for a core CV quantum programming language, and sound verification methods for program correctness. A main contribution of this work is to isolate a well-behaved quantitative predicate domain that achieves sufficient expressiveness to accommodate unbounded values as they arise in the infinite-dimensional, continuous setting. Specifically, we choose closed positive quadratic forms as semantic predicates, representing finite expectations, domains of finiteness, and infinite penalties in one ordered object. We validate our choice by establishing that our semantic predicates satisfy desirable closure properties including the definition of weakest preconditions. We validate our design with two case studies, including an example based on the celebrated GKP error-correcting code, for which we establish a second moment bound.