Runtime Analysis of Quantum Programs: A Formal Approach

Abstract: In this abstract we study the resource consumption of quantum programs. Specifically, we focus on the expected runtime of programs and, inspired by recent methods for probabilistic programs, we develop a calculus `a la weakest precondition to formally and systematically derive the (exact) expected runtime of quantum programs. Notably, the calculus admits a notion of loop runtime invariant that can be readily used to derive upper bounds of their runtime. Finally, we show the applicability of our calculus analyzing the runtime of (a simplified version of) the BB84 quantum key distribution protocol.