Optimal two-qubit quantum circuits using exchange interactions

The Heisenberg exchange interaction is a natural method to implement non-local (i.e., multi-qubit) quantum gates in quantum information processing. We consider quantum circuits comprising of $(SWAP)^\alpha $ gates, which are realized through the exchange interaction, and single-qubit gates. A universal two-qubit quantum circuit is constructed from only three $(SWAP)^\alpha$ gates and six single-qubit gates. We further show that three $(SWAP)^\alpha $ gates are not only sufficient, but necessary. Since six single-qubit gates are known to be necessary, our universal two-qubit circuit is optimal in terms of the number of {\em both} $(SWAP)^\alpha $ and single-qubit gates.