Efficient implementation of randomized quantum algorithms with dynamic circuits
Pith reviewed 2026-05-22 22:51 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
Dynamic circuits let quantum hardware generate its own random selections for randomized algorithms instead of relying on classical precomputation.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
By generating the probability distribution that defines a target randomized algorithm on the quantum computer itself rather than on a classical computer, a variety of static circuits can be realized on a single dynamic circuit containing many measurements, which produces large reductions in total execution time on real hardware.
What carries the argument
Dynamic circuit with intermediate measurements and classical feedback that samples the target probability distribution on the device during execution.
If this is right
- Randomized algorithms that previously required prohibitive numbers of distinct circuit uploads become feasible on near-term devices.
- Classical shadow protocols can be executed at scales of millions of random circuits for systems up to at least 40 qubits.
- Execution overhead for tasks such as random Pauli measurements drops by four orders of magnitude.
- The classical pre-processing step of enumerating and compiling many circuits is largely eliminated.
Where Pith is reading between the lines
- The technique could be applied to other randomized subroutines such as randomized compiling or variational algorithms that rely on ensembles of circuits.
- Further gains would follow from hardware that supports faster mid-circuit readout and feedback.
- The method reduces dependence on classical control electronics for circuit selection, which may ease scaling to larger qubit counts.
Load-bearing premise
The intermediate measurements and classical feedback in the dynamic circuit must sample the intended probability distribution without hardware biases or decoherence that would break the statistical guarantees of the randomized algorithm.
What would settle it
Running the dynamic-circuit implementation and the conventional static-circuit implementation of the same randomized algorithm on identical hardware and finding that the output statistics or runtime speedup deviate substantially from the claimed distribution or acceleration factor.
Figures
read the original abstract
Randomized algorithms are crucial subroutines in quantum computing, but the requirement to execute many types of circuits on a real quantum device has been challenging to their extensive implementation. In this study, we propose an engineering method to reduce the executing time for randomized algorithms using dynamic circuits, i.e., quantum circuits involving intermediate measurement and feedback processes. The main idea is to generate the probability distribution defining a target randomized algorithm on a quantum computer, instead of a classical computer, which enables us to implement a variety of static circuits on a single dynamic circuit with many measurements. We applied the proposed method to the task of random Pauli measurement for one qubit on an IBM superconducting device, showing that a 14,000-fold acceleration of executing time was observed compared with a conventional method using static circuits. Additionally, for the problem of estimating expectation values of 28- and 40-qubit hydrogen chain models, we successfully applied the proposed method to realize the classical shadow with 10 million random circuits, which is the largest demonstration of classical shadow. This work significantly simplifies the execution of randomized algorithms on real quantum hardware.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The paper proposes an engineering approach to implement randomized quantum algorithms via dynamic circuits, generating the required probability distributions on the quantum device through intermediate measurements and classical feedback rather than classically. This enables executing many distinct static circuits as variants of a single dynamic circuit. Demonstrations on IBM superconducting hardware include a claimed 14,000-fold reduction in execution time for single-qubit random Pauli measurements versus static-circuit methods, plus application to classical shadow estimation of expectation values for 28- and 40-qubit hydrogen chains using 10 million random circuits—the largest such demonstration reported.
Significance. If the sampling fidelity and error controls hold, the technique could materially reduce the classical compilation and queuing overhead that currently limits randomized subroutines such as classical shadows on near-term hardware. The reported scale (10 million circuits) constitutes a concrete experimental strength. No free parameters or fitted models are introduced; results are presented as direct hardware executions.
major comments (2)
- [Experimental results (random Pauli and hydrogen-chain sections)] The central performance claims (14,000-fold speedup and valid classical-shadow estimators) rest on the assumption that the dynamic-circuit sampling reproduces the target distribution to within statistical error. No section reports a direct fidelity or Kolmogorov-Smirnov test comparing the empirical distribution of chosen Paulis (or random unitaries) against the ideal uniform distribution, nor quantifies bias from mid-circuit readout errors or feedback latency. This verification is load-bearing for both the speedup interpretation and the unbiasedness guarantee.
- [Hydrogen-chain results] For the 28- and 40-qubit hydrogen-chain shadow estimates, the manuscript provides no error budget, calibration data, or controls addressing how reset infidelity and classical-feedback latency affect the 10-million-circuit ensemble. Without these, it is impossible to confirm that the reported expectation values retain the statistical guarantees of classical shadow.
minor comments (2)
- [Abstract] The abstract states a '14,000-fold acceleration of executing time' without defining the timing protocol (quantum runtime only, or including classical post-processing and queue time).
- A circuit diagram or pseudocode illustrating the dynamic-circuit construction for the random-Pauli case would improve reproducibility.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for the careful review and constructive comments on the need for explicit verification of sampling distributions and error controls. We address each major comment below.
read point-by-point responses
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Referee: [Experimental results (random Pauli and hydrogen-chain sections)] The central performance claims (14,000-fold speedup and valid classical-shadow estimators) rest on the assumption that the dynamic-circuit sampling reproduces the target distribution to within statistical error. No section reports a direct fidelity or Kolmogorov-Smirnov test comparing the empirical distribution of chosen Paulis (or random unitaries) against the ideal uniform distribution, nor quantifies bias from mid-circuit readout errors or feedback latency. This verification is load-bearing for both the speedup interpretation and the unbiasedness guarantee.
Authors: We agree that direct verification of the sampled distribution is necessary to substantiate the claims. The original manuscript did not include a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, fidelity metric, or explicit quantification of readout/feedback biases. In the revised manuscript we will add an appendix with the empirical distribution of measured Paulis, the KS test statistic and p-value against the uniform target, and an analysis of readout error effects drawn from the device's published calibration data. This will directly address the load-bearing assumption for both the speedup and estimator validity. revision: yes
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Referee: [Hydrogen-chain results] For the 28- and 40-qubit hydrogen-chain shadow estimates, the manuscript provides no error budget, calibration data, or controls addressing how reset infidelity and classical-feedback latency affect the 10-million-circuit ensemble. Without these, it is impossible to confirm that the reported expectation values retain the statistical guarantees of classical shadow.
Authors: We acknowledge the absence of a detailed error budget in the original text. In revision we will incorporate available IBM calibration data on reset infidelity and provide a discussion of classical-feedback latency effects on the ensemble. Aggregate controls and summary statistics will be added to support retention of the classical-shadow guarantees; a full per-circuit error trace for 10 M circuits is not feasible at this scale but aggregate metrics will be supplied. revision: partial
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
axioms (1)
- domain assumption Dynamic circuits with intermediate measurement and classical feedback can be executed reliably enough on the target hardware to sample the intended distribution.
Reference graph
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discussion (0)
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