Optimizing Qubit Routing with Bridge Gates: Extending Quantum Circuit Efficiency Across Arbitrary Distances

Ward van der Schoot; Willem de Kok; Frank Phillipson

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-13852-1_32

Optimizing Qubit Routing with Bridge Gates: Extending Quantum Circuit Efficiency Across Arbitrary Distances

Ward van der Schoot
, Willem de Kok
, Frank Phillipson^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference article in proceeding › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Qubit routing is a critical challenge in quantum computing, essential for implementing quantum circuits on hardware with limited connectivity. This paper introduces a novel perspective on qubit routing by exploring the use of bridge gates, which enable the execution of controlled NOT (CNOT) operations over non-adjacent qubits without re-routing the qubits. The study highlights the advantages of bridge gates compared to SWAP gates, particularly their ability to preserve qubit assignments and potentially optimize subsequent routing steps. We propose an extension to the concept of bridge gates by generalizing them for arbitrary distances and provide constructions demonstrating their feasibility. By analysing their performance, we show that larger-distance bridge gates can significantly reduce the number of CNOT gates in certain circuits. Furthermore, a new qubit routing problem is defined, incorporating both SWAP and bridge gates, and we discuss how this impacts the complexity of the problem.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services - 1st International Conference, QUEST-IS 2025, Proceedings
Editors	Frédéric Barbaresco, Gerin François
Publisher	Springer
Pages	320-328
Number of pages	9
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-032-13852-1
ISBN (Print)	9783032138514
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-13852-1_32
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2026
Event	1st International Conference on Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services, QUEST-IS 2025: From Quantum Engineering to Applications for Citizens - Paris, France Duration: 1 Dec 2025 → 4 Dec 2025 Conference number: 1 https://conference-questis.org/

Publication series

Series	Communications in Computer and Information Science
Volume	2743
ISSN	1865-0929

Conference

Conference	1st International Conference on Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services, QUEST-IS 2025
Abbreviated title	QUEST-IS 2025
Country/Territory	France
City	Paris
Period	1/12/25 → 4/12/25
Internet address	https://conference-questis.org/

Keywords

Bridge Gates
Quantum Circuits
Quantum Gate Optimization
Qubit Routing

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-032-13852-1_32

Cite this

Schoot, W. V. D., Kok, W. D., & Phillipson, F. (2026). Optimizing Qubit Routing with Bridge Gates: Extending Quantum Circuit Efficiency Across Arbitrary Distances. In F. Barbaresco, & G. François (Eds.), Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services - 1st International Conference, QUEST-IS 2025, Proceedings (pp. 320-328). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-13852-1_32

Schoot, Ward van der ; Kok, Willem de ; Phillipson, Frank. / Optimizing Qubit Routing with Bridge Gates : Extending Quantum Circuit Efficiency Across Arbitrary Distances. Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services - 1st International Conference, QUEST-IS 2025, Proceedings. editor / Frédéric Barbaresco ; Gerin François. Springer, 2026. pp. 320-328 (Communications in Computer and Information Science, Vol. 2743).

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title = "Optimizing Qubit Routing with Bridge Gates: Extending Quantum Circuit Efficiency Across Arbitrary Distances",

abstract = "Qubit routing is a critical challenge in quantum computing, essential for implementing quantum circuits on hardware with limited connectivity. This paper introduces a novel perspective on qubit routing by exploring the use of bridge gates, which enable the execution of controlled NOT (CNOT) operations over non-adjacent qubits without re-routing the qubits. The study highlights the advantages of bridge gates compared to SWAP gates, particularly their ability to preserve qubit assignments and potentially optimize subsequent routing steps. We propose an extension to the concept of bridge gates by generalizing them for arbitrary distances and provide constructions demonstrating their feasibility. By analysing their performance, we show that larger-distance bridge gates can significantly reduce the number of CNOT gates in certain circuits. Furthermore, a new qubit routing problem is defined, incorporating both SWAP and bridge gates, and we discuss how this impacts the complexity of the problem.",

keywords = "Bridge Gates, Quantum Circuits, Quantum Gate Optimization, Qubit Routing",

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Schoot, WVD, Kok, WD & Phillipson, F 2026, Optimizing Qubit Routing with Bridge Gates: Extending Quantum Circuit Efficiency Across Arbitrary Distances. in F Barbaresco & G François (eds), Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services - 1st International Conference, QUEST-IS 2025, Proceedings. Springer, Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol. 2743, pp. 320-328, 1st International Conference on Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services, QUEST-IS 2025, Paris, France, 1/12/25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-13852-1_32

Optimizing Qubit Routing with Bridge Gates: Extending Quantum Circuit Efficiency Across Arbitrary Distances. / Schoot, Ward van der; Kok, Willem de; Phillipson, Frank.
Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services - 1st International Conference, QUEST-IS 2025, Proceedings. ed. / Frédéric Barbaresco; Gerin François. Springer, 2026. p. 320-328 (Communications in Computer and Information Science, Vol. 2743).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference article in proceeding › Academic › peer-review

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T2 - 1st International Conference on Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services, QUEST-IS 2025

AU - Schoot, Ward van der

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AU - Phillipson, Frank

N1 - Conference code: 1

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N2 - Qubit routing is a critical challenge in quantum computing, essential for implementing quantum circuits on hardware with limited connectivity. This paper introduces a novel perspective on qubit routing by exploring the use of bridge gates, which enable the execution of controlled NOT (CNOT) operations over non-adjacent qubits without re-routing the qubits. The study highlights the advantages of bridge gates compared to SWAP gates, particularly their ability to preserve qubit assignments and potentially optimize subsequent routing steps. We propose an extension to the concept of bridge gates by generalizing them for arbitrary distances and provide constructions demonstrating their feasibility. By analysing their performance, we show that larger-distance bridge gates can significantly reduce the number of CNOT gates in certain circuits. Furthermore, a new qubit routing problem is defined, incorporating both SWAP and bridge gates, and we discuss how this impacts the complexity of the problem.

AB - Qubit routing is a critical challenge in quantum computing, essential for implementing quantum circuits on hardware with limited connectivity. This paper introduces a novel perspective on qubit routing by exploring the use of bridge gates, which enable the execution of controlled NOT (CNOT) operations over non-adjacent qubits without re-routing the qubits. The study highlights the advantages of bridge gates compared to SWAP gates, particularly their ability to preserve qubit assignments and potentially optimize subsequent routing steps. We propose an extension to the concept of bridge gates by generalizing them for arbitrary distances and provide constructions demonstrating their feasibility. By analysing their performance, we show that larger-distance bridge gates can significantly reduce the number of CNOT gates in certain circuits. Furthermore, a new qubit routing problem is defined, incorporating both SWAP and bridge gates, and we discuss how this impacts the complexity of the problem.

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M3 - Conference article in proceeding

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BT - Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services - 1st International Conference, QUEST-IS 2025, Proceedings

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Schoot WVD, Kok WD, Phillipson F. Optimizing Qubit Routing with Bridge Gates: Extending Quantum Circuit Efficiency Across Arbitrary Distances. In Barbaresco F, François G, editors, Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services - 1st International Conference, QUEST-IS 2025, Proceedings. Springer. 2026. p. 320-328. (Communications in Computer and Information Science, Vol. 2743). doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-13852-1_32

Optimizing Qubit Routing with Bridge Gates: Extending Quantum Circuit Efficiency Across Arbitrary Distances

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