Efficient classical simulation of the approximate quantum Fourier transform

Abstract

We present a method for classically simulating quantum circuits based on the tensor contraction model of Markov and Shi (e-print arXiv:quant-ph/0511069). Using this method we are able to classically simulate the approximate quantum Fourier transform in polynomial time. Moreover, our approach allow us to formulate a condition for the composability of simulable quantum circuits. We use this condition to show that any circuit composed of a constant number of approximate quantum Fourier transform circuits and log depth circuits with limited interaction range can also be efficiently simulated.