NON-CONSTRUCTIVE METHODS FOR FINITE PROBABILISTIC AUTOMATA

Abstract

Size (the number of states) of finite probabilistic automata with an isolated cut-point can be exponentially smaller than the size of any equivalent finite deterministic automaton. However, the proof is non-constructive. The result is presented in two versions. The first version depends on Artin's Conjecture (1927) in Number Theory. The second version does not depend on conjectures not proved but the numerical estimates are worse. In both versions the method of the proof does not allow an explicit description of the languages used. Since our finite probabilistic automata are reversible, these results imply a similar result for quantum finite automata.