QuRAFT: Enhancing Quantum Algorithm Design by Visual Linking Between Mathematical Concepts and Quantum Circuits

The emergence of quantum computers heralds a new frontier in computational power, empowering quantum algorithms to address challenges that defy classical computation. However, the design of quantum algorithms is challenging as it largely requires the manual efforts of quantum experts to transit mathematical expressions to quantum circuit diagrams. To ease this process, particularly for prototyping, educational, and modular design workflows, we propose to bridge the textual and visual contexts between mathematics and quantum circuits through visual linking and transitions. We contribute a design space for quantum algorithm design, focusing on the textual and visual elements, interactions, and design patterns throughout the quantum algorithm design process. Informed by the design space, we introduce QuRAFT, a visual interface that facilitates a seamless transition from abstract mathematical expressions to concrete quantum circuits. QuRAFT incorporates a suite of eight integrated visual and interaction designs tailored to support users in the formulation, implementation, and validation process of the quantum algorithm design. Through two detailed case studies and a user evaluation, this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of QuRAFT. Feedback from quantum computing experts highlights the practical utility of QuRAFT in algorithm design and provides valuable implications for future advancements in visualization and interaction design within the quantum computing domain.