Table of Contents
CiSWAP gate (Controlled-iSWAP)
CiSWAP applies iSWAP to two qubits if a third control qubit is $|1\rangle$. Swaps and applies phase. Native on some transmon platforms.
Action: $|c ab\rangle \to |c (a' b')\rangle$ where iSWAP swaps qubits and applies phase $i$ to $|11\rangle$ when control is $|1\rangle$.
$$\text{CiSWAP} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & i & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & i & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 \end{pmatrix}$$
Basis action: swaps qubits 2 and 3 when qubit 1 is $|1\rangle$, applying phase $i$ to the swapped $|11\rangle$ state. Mapping: $|101\rangle \to i|110\rangle$ and $|110\rangle \to i|101\rangle$.
Properties
- Self-inverse: $(\text{CiSWAP})^4 = I$ (since $(iSWAP)^4 = I$)
- Asymmetric: applies phase during swap, unlike CSWAP
- Phase from iSWAP: inherits the $i$ phase of iSWAP on the swapped $|11\rangle$ state
Uses
- Native gate on transmon qubits: superconducting platforms with tunable coupling
- Variational circuits: QAOA and VQE with native two-qubit interactions
- Entanglement: creates controlled entanglement with phase correction
- Gate decomposition: alternative to CX chains when iSWAP is cheaper
Parametric version
- CiSWAP($\theta$): applies $\text{iSWAP}(\theta)$ when control is $|1\rangle$; tunes interaction strength
- Use: parametric coupling in variational quantum algorithms
Implementation
- Superconducting qubits: native on transmon qubit systems with tunable coupling; gate time ~20-50 ns
- Trapped ions: less common; typically decomposed
- Photonic: challenging; usually decomposed
Relations
- iSWAP: two-qubit version; CiSWAP adds control
- CSWAP: similar controlled swap but without phase
- Three-qubit gates: general category
