%A Wang Hong-Fu (王洪福), Zhang Shou (张寿) %T Iterative quantum algorithm for distributed clock synchronization %0 Journal Article %D 2012 %J Chin. Phys. B %R 10.1088/1674-1056/21/10/100309 %P 100309-100309 %V 21 %N 10 %U {https://cpb.iphy.ac.cn/CN/abstract/article_114117.shtml} %8 2012-09-01 %X Clock synchronization is a well-studied problem with many practical and scientific applications. We propose an arbitrary accuracy iterative quantum algorithm for distributed clock synchronization using only three qubits. The n bits of the time difference Δ between two spatially separated clocks can be deterministically extracted by communicating only O(n) messages and executing the quantum iteration process n times based on the classical feedback and measurement operations. Finally, we also give the algorithm using only two qubits and discuss the success probability of the algorithm.