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Formal verification techniques using quantum process calculus
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Davidson, Timothy A. S. (2012) Formal verification techniques using quantum process calculus. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b2584701~S1
Abstract
Quantum communication is a rapidly growing area of research and development. While the successful construction of a large-scale quantum computer may be some years away, there are already commercial implementations of secure communication using quantum cryptography. The application of formal methods to classical communication and cryptographic systems has been very successful, and is now widely used in industry by organisations such as Intel, Microsoft and NASA. There is reason to believe that similar benefits can be expected for the verification of quantum systems.
In this thesis, we focus on the use of process calculus, specifically Communicating Quantum Processes (CQP), for the analysis of quantum protocols. Congruence relations are an important aspect of process calculus, since they provide the foundation for equational reasoning. Previous work on congruence relations for quantum processes excluded the classical information arising from measurements, and was therefore unable to analyse many of the interesting known quantum communication protocols. Developing a congruence relation for general quantum processes is difficult because of the interaction between measurement, entanglement and parallel composition.
We define a labelled transition relation for CQP in order to describe external interactions. Based on this semantics, we define a notion of observational equivalence for CQP processes, namely probabilistic branching bisimilarity. We find that this relation is not preserved by parallel composition, however we are able to gain a deeper understanding of the link between probabilistic branching and measurement. Based on this newfound understanding, we present a novel semantics for quantum processes, combining mixed quantum states with probabilistic branching. With respect to this new semantic model, we define full probabilistic branching bisimilarity and prove that it is a congruence. We use this congruence relation to discuss an axiomatic approach to the verification of quantum processes. The quantum teleportation protocol is used as a primary example throughout, and we prove that it is congruent to a quantum channel.
We define a translation from CQP to the Quantum Model Checker (QMC) in order to provide automated verification techniques using CQP specifications. We prove that this translation preserves the semantics of CQP processes, thereby enabling a multifaceted approach to formal verification by enhancing the manual techniques of process calculus with the benefits of model checking.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) | ||||
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Subjects: | Q Science > QA Mathematics | ||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Quantum communication -- Mathematical models, Formal methods (Computer science) | ||||
Official Date: | January 2012 | ||||
Dates: |
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Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | Department of Computer Science | ||||
Thesis Type: | PhD | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Nagarajan, R. (Rajagopal) | ||||
Extent: | ix, 196 leaves : illustrations | ||||
Language: | eng |
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