Noncommutative coherence and quantum phase estimation algorithm

Abstract: We present a measure of quantum coherence by employing the concept of noncommutativity of operators in quantum mechanics. We analyse the behaviour of this noncommutative coherence and underline its similarities and differences with the conventional measures of quantum coherence. The maximally noncommutative coherent states turn out to be far removed from the conventionally considered maximally coherent states. We argue that the efficiency of the quantum phase estimation algorithm, an important rung in the Shor factorisation algorithm, is potentially related to the measure of noncommutative coherence.