Span programs and quantum algorithms for st-connectivity and claw detection

Abstract

We use span programs to develop quantum algorithms for several graph problems. We give an algorithm that uses O(n√d) queries to the adjacency matrix of an n-vertex graph to decide if vertices s and t are connected, under the promise that they either are connected by a path of length at most d, or are disconnected. We also give O(n)-query algorithms that decide if a graph contains as a subgraph a path, a star with two subdivided legs, or a subdivided claw. These algorithms can be implemented time efficiently and in logarithmic space. One of the main techniques is to modify the natural st-connectivity span program to drop along the way "breadcrumbs," which must be retrieved before the path from s is allowed to enter t. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.