Table of Contents
CCRz gate (Controlled-Controlled-RZ)
CCRz applies Z rotation by $\theta$ to the target if both controls are $|1\rangle$. Parametric doubly-controlled rotation for variational algorithms.
Action: $|c_1 c_2 t\rangle \to |c_1 c_2 (R_Z(\theta)|t\rangle)\rangle$ where rotation is applied only when both controls are $|1\rangle$.
$$\text{CCRz}(\theta) = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & e^{-i\theta/2} & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & e^{i\theta/2} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & e^{-i\theta/2} & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & e^{i\theta/2} \end{pmatrix}$$
Properties
- Parametric: rotation angle $\theta$ is tunable
- Asymmetric: control and target qubits are distinct
- Diagonal: only applies phases, like RZ
- Exponential form: $\text{CCRz}(\theta) = e^{-i\theta Z/2}$ on target when controls are $|11\rangle$
Uses
- Variational quantum algorithms: QAOA and VQE ansätze with doubly-controlled rotations
- Conditional phase accumulation: rotate target phase based on control qubits
- Quantum simulation: tunable Z interactions (Ising-like) for Hamiltonians
- Parameterized circuits: hybrid classical-quantum optimization
Decomposition
CCRz can be decomposed using CX and single-qubit phase rotations:
$$\text{CCRz}(\theta) = (I \otimes I \otimes R_Z(\theta/2)) \text{CNOT}_{12} (I \otimes I \otimes R_Z(\theta/2)) \text{CNOT}_{12}$$
More efficient decompositions exist; often combined with CCP or other parametric gates.
Implementation
- Superconducting qubits: typically virtual (reference frame adjustment); very low cost if decomposition is free
- Trapped ions: controlled phase via detuned laser interactions
- Photonic: challenging; usually decomposed
Relations
- RZ gate: single-qubit version; target rotation
- CCP: related parametric gate; CCP applies global phase instead of rotation
- Rotation gates: general parametric rotation category
- Three-qubit gates: general category
