Storage of quantum dynamics on quantum states: a quasi-perfect programmable quantum gate

We show how quantum dynamics (a unitary transformation) can be captured in the state of a quantum system, in such a way that the system can be used to perform, at a later time, the stored transformation almost perfectly on some other quantum system. Thus programmable quantum gates for quantum information processing are feasible if some small degree of imperfection is allowed. We discuss the possibility of using this fact for securely computing a secret function on a public quantum computer. Finally, our scheme for storage of operations also allows for a new form of quantum remote control.