We design linear-optics multiqubit quantum logic gates. We assume the traditional encoding of a qubit onto the state of a single photon in two modes (e.g., spatial or polarization). We suggest schemes allowing direct probabilistic realization of the fundamental Toffoli and Fredkin gates without resorting to a sequence of single- and two-qubit gates. This yields more compact schemes and potentially reduces the number of ancilla photons. The proposed setups involve passive linear optics, sources of auxiliary single photons or maximally entangled pairs of photons, and single-photon detectors. In particular, we propose an interferometric implementation of the Toffoli gate in the coincidence basis, which does not require any ancilla photons and is experimentally feasible with current technology.

• Received 2 March 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.73.062313