Glossary
Linear Combination Of Unitaries
by Frank Zickert
Linear Combination of Unitaries (LCU) is a quantum computing method for implementing an operator that can be written as a weighted sum of unitary matrices. Instead of directly applying a non-unitary operator, the algorithm probabilistically combines unitaries using ancilla qubits and amplitude amplification. This enables simulation of general linear operators (like Hamiltonians) on a quantum computer while keeping operations physically realizable.