Similarity between Grover’s quantum search algorithm and classical two-body collisions
Jingfu Zhang, Zhi-Heng Lu · American Journal of Physics · 2002
By studying the diffusion operator in Grover’s quantum search algorithm, we find an analogy between quantum searching and classical, elastic two-body collisions. We exploit this mathematical analogy using a thought experiment involving multiple collisions between two bodies to help illuminate why Grover’s quantum search algorithm works. Related issues are discussed.