MerLean-example

20 Def 10: Spacetime Logical Fault

A spacetime logical fault is a collection of space-faults and time-faults that does not violate any detector (has empty syndrome) and causes a logical error. A spacetime stabilizer is a collection of space-faults and time-faults that does not violate any detector and does not affect the logical information. Every fault with empty syndrome is either a spacetime stabilizer (trivial) or a spacetime logical fault (non-trivial). The set of spacetime stabilizers forms a group, and two faults are equivalent if they differ by a spacetime stabilizer.

20.1 Syndrome

Definition 645 Apply Fault to Outcomes
#

Given base measurement outcomes and a spacetime fault \(f\), the faulted outcomes are defined by:

\[ \mathrm{applyFaultToOutcomes}(\mathrm{base}, f)(m, t) = \begin{cases} \mathrm{base}(m, t) + 1 & \text{if } f.\mathrm{timeErrors}(m, t), \\ \mathrm{base}(m, t) & \text{otherwise.} \end{cases} \]

Time-faults flip the corresponding measurement outcomes.

Definition 646 Compute Syndrome

The syndrome of a spacetime fault \(f\) with respect to a detector collection \(\mathrm{DC}\) and base outcomes is the set of detectors violated by \(f\):

\[ \mathrm{computeSyndrome}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, f) = \{ D \in \mathrm{DC}.\mathrm{detectors} \mid D.\mathrm{isViolated}(\mathrm{applyFaultToOutcomes}(\mathrm{base}, f)) \} . \]
Definition 647 In Syndrome
#

A detector \(D\) is in the syndrome of a fault \(f\) if \(D \in \mathrm{computeSyndrome}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, f)\).

Definition 648 Has Empty Syndrome
#

A fault \(f\) has empty syndrome if it violates no detectors:

\[ \mathrm{hasEmptySyndrome}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, f) \iff \mathrm{computeSyndrome}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, f) = \emptyset . \]

A fault \(f\) has empty syndrome if and only if every detector \(D\) in the collection is satisfied by the faulted outcomes:

\[ \mathrm{hasEmptySyndrome}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, f) \iff \forall D \in \mathrm{DC}.\mathrm{detectors},\; D.\mathrm{isSatisfied}(\mathrm{applyFaultToOutcomes}(\mathrm{base}, f)). \]
Proof

We unfold the definitions of \(\mathrm{hasEmptySyndrome}\) and \(\mathrm{computeSyndrome}\), then rewrite using the fact that a filter over a finset is empty if and only if the predicate holds for no element. For the forward direction, assume \(\mathrm{hasEmptySyndrome}\) holds, let \(D \in \mathrm{DC}.\mathrm{detectors}\), and rewrite using \(\mathrm{Detector.satisfied\_ iff\_ not\_ violated}\) to conclude \(D\) is satisfied. For the converse, assume every detector is satisfied, let \(D \in \mathrm{DC}.\mathrm{detectors}\), rewrite using the negation of \(\mathrm{Detector.satisfied\_ iff\_ not\_ violated}\), and apply the hypothesis.

20.2 Identity Fault Has Empty Syndrome

Theorem 650 Identity Has Empty Syndrome

If the base outcomes satisfy all detectors, then the identity fault has empty syndrome:

\[ \mathrm{DC}.\mathrm{allSatisfied}(\mathrm{base}) \implies \mathrm{hasEmptySyndrome}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, 1). \]
Proof

We rewrite using the characterization \(\mathrm{hasEmptySyndrome\_ iff}\). Let \(D \in \mathrm{DC}.\mathrm{detectors}\). We first establish that \(\mathrm{applyFaultToOutcomes}(\mathrm{base}, 1) = \mathrm{base}\) by extensionality: for all \(m, t\), since the identity fault has no time errors, the outcome is unchanged. This holds by reflexivity. Rewriting with this equality, the hypothesis \(\mathrm{DC}.\mathrm{allSatisfied}(\mathrm{base})\), expanded via \(\mathrm{DetectorCollection.allSatisfied\_ iff}\), gives \(D.\mathrm{isSatisfied}(\mathrm{base})\) directly.

20.3 Logical Effect Predicate

Definition 651 Affects Logical Info
#

An abstract predicate capturing whether a fault affects the logical information. Given a logical effect predicate \(\ell : \mathrm{SpacetimeFault} \to \mathrm{Prop}\) and a fault \(f\):

\[ \mathrm{affectsLogicalInfo}(\ell , f) \iff \ell (f). \]

This captures changes to the gauging measurement outcome or introduction of logical Pauli errors.

Definition 652 Preserves Logical Info
#

A fault preserves logical information if it does not affect it:

\[ \mathrm{preservesLogicalInfo}(\ell , f) \iff \neg \ell (f). \]

20.4 Spacetime Stabilizers

Definition 653 Is Spacetime Stabilizer
#

A fault \(f\) is a spacetime stabilizer with respect to a detector collection \(\mathrm{DC}\), base outcomes, and logical effect predicate \(\ell \) if:

  1. \(f\) has empty syndrome: \(\mathrm{hasEmptySyndrome}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, f)\), and

  2. \(f\) preserves logical information: \(\mathrm{preservesLogicalInfo}(\ell , f)\).

Definition 654 Spacetime Stabilizer Set
#

The spacetime stabilizer set is:

\[ \mathrm{spacetimeStabilizerSet}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell ) = \{ f \mid \mathrm{IsSpacetimeStabilizer}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f) \} . \]

20.5 Spacetime Logical Faults

Definition 655 Is Spacetime Logical Fault
#

A fault \(f\) is a spacetime logical fault with respect to a detector collection \(\mathrm{DC}\), base outcomes, and logical effect predicate \(\ell \) if:

  1. \(f\) has empty syndrome: \(\mathrm{hasEmptySyndrome}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, f)\), and

  2. \(f\) affects logical information: \(\mathrm{affectsLogicalInfo}(\ell , f)\).

Definition 656 Spacetime Logical Fault Set
#

The spacetime logical fault set is:

\[ \mathrm{spacetimeLogicalFaultSet}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell ) = \{ f \mid \mathrm{IsSpacetimeLogicalFault}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f) \} . \]

20.6 Partition of Empty-Syndrome Faults

Definition 657 Empty Syndrome Set
#

The set of faults with empty syndrome:

\[ \mathrm{emptySyndromeSet}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}) = \{ f \mid \mathrm{hasEmptySyndrome}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, f) \} . \]
Theorem 658 Empty Syndrome Partition

Every fault with empty syndrome is either a spacetime stabilizer or a spacetime logical fault: if \(\mathrm{hasEmptySyndrome}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, f)\), then

\[ \mathrm{IsSpacetimeStabilizer}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f) \; \lor \; \mathrm{IsSpacetimeLogicalFault}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f). \]
Proof

We consider two cases based on whether \(\ell (f)\) holds. If \(\ell (f)\) holds, then \(f\) is a spacetime logical fault, constructed from the empty syndrome hypothesis and \(\ell (f)\). If \(\neg \ell (f)\), then \(f\) is a spacetime stabilizer, constructed from the empty syndrome hypothesis and \(\neg \ell (f)\).

Theorem 659 Stabilizer and Logical Fault are Disjoint

No fault can be both a spacetime stabilizer and a spacetime logical fault:

\[ \neg \bigl(\mathrm{IsSpacetimeStabilizer}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f) \; \land \; \mathrm{IsSpacetimeLogicalFault}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f)\bigr). \]
Proof

Assume both hold. Then from the stabilizer property we have \(\neg \ell (f)\) (preserves logical info), and from the logical fault property we have \(\ell (f)\) (affects logical info). This is a contradiction.

Theorem 660 Stabilizer and Logical Fault Union Equals Empty Syndrome Set

The union of spacetime stabilizers and spacetime logical faults equals the set of empty-syndrome faults:

\[ \mathrm{spacetimeStabilizerSet}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell ) \; \cup \; \mathrm{spacetimeLogicalFaultSet}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell ) = \mathrm{emptySyndromeSet}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}). \]
Proof

By extensionality, it suffices to show membership equivalence for an arbitrary fault \(f\). We simplify using the definitions of the three sets. For the forward direction, if \(f\) is in the left-hand union, then \(f\) is either a stabilizer or a logical fault, and in both cases we extract the empty syndrome condition. For the reverse direction, if \(f\) has empty syndrome, we apply the partition theorem to conclude \(f\) is either a stabilizer or a logical fault.

20.7 Spacetime Stabilizers Form a Subgroup

Definition 661 Logical Effect Is Group-Like
#

Alogical effect predicate \(\ell \) is group-like if:

  1. The identity preserves logical info: \(\neg \ell (1)\).

  2. Closure under multiplication: for all \(f, g\), if \(\neg \ell (f)\) and \(\neg \ell (g)\), then \(\neg \ell (f \cdot g)\).

  3. Closure under inverse: for all \(f\), if \(\neg \ell (f)\), then \(\neg \ell (f^{-1})\).

Definition 662 Syndrome Is Group Homomorphism

The syndrome computation respects the group structure if:

  1. The identity has empty syndrome.

  2. For all \(f, g\), if both have empty syndrome, then \(f \cdot g\) has empty syndrome.

  3. For all \(f\), if \(f\) has empty syndrome, then \(f^{-1}\) has empty syndrome.

Definition 663 Spacetime Stabilizer Subgroup

Under the conditions that the logical effect predicate is group-like and the syndrome computation respects the group structure, the spacetime stabilizers form a subgroup of \(\mathrm{SpacetimeFault}(V, E, M)\).

The carrier is the spacetime stabilizer set. Closure under multiplication, the identity element, and closure under inverses are verified using the respective group-like and syndrome homomorphism properties.

20.8 Fault Equivalence

Definition 664 Fault Equivalent
#

Two faults \(f\) and \(g\) are fault equivalent if they differ by a spacetime stabilizer:

\[ \mathrm{FaultEquivalent}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f, g) \iff \mathrm{IsSpacetimeStabilizer}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f^{-1} \cdot g). \]
Theorem 665 Fault Equivalence is Reflexive

For all faults \(f\), \(\mathrm{FaultEquivalent}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f, f)\).

Proof

We unfold the definition of fault equivalence. Since \(f^{-1} \cdot f = 1\) by \(\mathrm{inv\_ mul\_ cancel}\), it suffices to show that \(1\) is in the spacetime stabilizer subgroup. This follows from the identity membership property of the subgroup.

Theorem 666 Fault Equivalence is Symmetric

If \(\mathrm{FaultEquivalent}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f, g)\), then \(\mathrm{FaultEquivalent}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , g, f)\).

Proof

We unfold fault equivalence in both the hypothesis and the goal. We establish that \(g^{-1} \cdot f = (f^{-1} \cdot g)^{-1}\) by simplifying using \(\mathrm{mul\_ inv\_ rev}\) and \(\mathrm{inv\_ inv}\). Rewriting with this identity, the result follows from closure of the spacetime stabilizer subgroup under inverses.

Theorem 667 Fault Equivalence is Transitive

If \(\mathrm{FaultEquivalent}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f, g)\) and \(\mathrm{FaultEquivalent}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , g, k)\), then \(\mathrm{FaultEquivalent}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f, k)\).

Proof

We unfold fault equivalence in the hypotheses and the goal. We establish the key identity \(f^{-1} \cdot k = (f^{-1} \cdot g) \cdot (g^{-1} \cdot k)\) by simplifying with \(\mathrm{mul\_ assoc}\) and \(\mathrm{mul\_ inv\_ cancel\_ left}\). Rewriting with this identity, the result follows from closure of the spacetime stabilizer subgroup under multiplication.

Theorem 668 Fault Equivalence is an Equivalence Relation

Fault equivalence is an equivalence relation (reflexive, symmetric, and transitive).

Proof

The equivalence is constructed directly from the three component proofs: reflexivity from \(\mathrm{faultEquivalent\_ refl}\), symmetry from \(\mathrm{faultEquivalent\_ symm}\), and transitivity from \(\mathrm{faultEquivalent\_ trans}\).

Definition 669 Fault Setoid
#

The fault setoid is the setoid on \(\mathrm{SpacetimeFault}(V, E, M)\) induced by the fault equivalence relation.

20.9 Equivalence Classes as Cosets

Definition 670 Fault Quotient
#

The fault quotient is the quotient of \(\mathrm{SpacetimeFault}(V, E, M)\) by the spacetime stabilizer subgroup:

\[ \mathrm{FaultQuotient} = \mathrm{SpacetimeFault}(V, E, M) \, /\, \mathrm{spacetimeStabilizerSubgroup}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell ). \]
Theorem 671 Logical Fault Iff Not Stabilizer

A fault \(f\) with empty syndrome is a spacetime logical fault if and only if it is not a spacetime stabilizer:

\[ \mathrm{hasEmptySyndrome}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, f) \implies \bigl(\mathrm{IsSpacetimeLogicalFault}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f) \iff \neg \, \mathrm{IsSpacetimeStabilizer}(\mathrm{DC}, \mathrm{base}, \ell , f)\bigr). \]
Proof

We prove both directions. For the forward direction, assume \(f\) is a logical fault and suppose for contradiction that \(f\) is also a stabilizer. Then the stabilizer’s \(\mathrm{preservesLogical}\) property contradicts the logical fault’s \(\mathrm{affectsLogical}\) property. For the reverse direction, assume \(f\) is not a stabilizer. We construct a logical fault: the empty syndrome is given by hypothesis. For the logical effect, we argue by contradiction: if \(\neg \ell (f)\), then \(f\) would be a stabilizer (constructed from the empty syndrome and \(\neg \ell (f)\)), contradicting the assumption that \(f\) is not a stabilizer.