Quantum computation on w qubits is represented by the infinite unitary group U(2 w ); classical reversible computation on w bits is represented by the finite symmetric group S 2 w . In order to establish the relationship between classical reversible computing and quantum computing, we introduce two Lie subgroups XU( n ) and ZU( n ) of the unitary group U( n ). The former consists of all unitary n × n matrices with all line sums equal to 1; the latter consists of all unitary diagonal n × n matrices with first entry equal to 1. Such a group structure also reveals the relationship between matrix calculus and diagrammatic zx-calculus of quantum circuits.

Discrete linear transformations are important tools in information processing. Many such transforms are injective and therefore prime candidates for a physically reversible implementation into hardware. We present here reversible integer cosine transformations on n input integers. The resulting reversible circuit is able to perform both the forward transform and the inverse transform. The detailed structure of such a reversible design strongly depends on the odd prime factors of the determinant of the transform: whether those are of the form 2 k ± 1 or of the form 2 k ± 2 l ± 1 or neither of these forms.

The (2w)! reversible transformations on w wires, i.e. reversible logic circuits with w inputs and w outputs, together with the action of cascading, form a group, isomorphic to the symmetric group S2w. Therefore, we investigate the group Snas well as one of its subgroups isomorphic to Sn/2times Sn/2. We then consider the left cosets, the right cosets, and the double cosets generated by the subgroup. Each element of a coset can function as the representative of the coset. Different choices of the coset space and different choices of the coset representatives lead to four different syntheses for implementing an arbitrary reversible logic operation into hardware. Comparison leads to a best choice: a single coset space, with representatives that are generalized TOFFOLI and FREDKIN gates.