Exact quantum splitting and the structure of finite algebras
2026-08-31 • Computational Complexity
Computational Complexity
AI summaryⓘ
The authors present a quantum algorithm that factors polynomials over finite fields exactly and deterministically, without relying on unproven assumptions like the Extended Riemann Hypothesis. Their method uses a quantum approach to split certain algebraic structures efficiently by applying tests with known success probabilities, which are then amplified to certainty. This leads to a polynomial factorization algorithm that avoids previous randomization steps and complex preprocessing. Additionally, the technique extends to decomposing general finite-dimensional algebras over finite fields using a mix of quantum and classical computations.
Berlekamp's algorithmfinite fieldspolynomial factorizationquantum algorithmscommutative algebraamplitude amplificationWedderburn decompositionstructure constantsExtended Riemann Hypothesis
Authors
Muhammad Imran
Abstract
Berlekamp's algorithm factors a squarefree polynomial $f\in\mathbb{F}_q[x]$ by deterministic linear algebra, reducing the problem to splitting an explicit commutative algebra $B\cong\mathbb{F}_q^r$ into its $r$ simple factors. For large odd $q$, the standard efficient splitting step is randomized, while known derandomizations are conditional on the Extended Riemann Hypothesis. We give an unconditional exact quantum implementation in a circuit model permitting single-qubit rotations through efficiently computable angles. The construction uses an unconditional counting argument. For a block containing $s\ge2$ irreducible factors, a quadratic-character test in odd characteristic and an absolute-trace test in characteristic $2$ yield a nonconstant test element with probability $p_{q,s}\ge\tfrac12$, known exactly in advance and depending only on $q$ and $s$, not on the unknown factorization. Exact amplitude amplification therefore converts each randomized test into a procedure succeeding with certainty after one amplification iteration. The resulting algorithm uses exactly $r-1$ quantum splitting rounds and $O(n^3\log q)$ quantum $\mathbb{F}_q$-operations and $O(n^3)$ classical operations, requiring no primitive root, quadratic non-residue, or distinct-degree preprocessing. The method also splits arbitrary finite-dimensional separable commutative $\\mathbb{F}_q$-algebras given by structure constants. Combined with R'onyai's classical structure theory, which computes the radical deterministically and reduces the remaining tasks deterministically to polynomial factorization, it yields the radical and the Wedderburn decomposition of $A/\mathrm{Rad}(A)$ into minimal two-sided ideals, with certainty, for any $n$-dimensional associative $\mathbb{F}_q$-algebra given by structure constants, using $O(n^4\log q)$ quantum $\mathbb{F}_q$-operations.