Q-Embroidery: A Study on Weaving Quantum Error Correction into the Fabric of Quantum Classifiers

Quantum computing holds transformative potential for various fields, yet its practical application is hindered by the susceptibility to errors. This study makes a pioneering contribution by applying quantum error correction codes (QECCs) for complex, multi-qubit classification tasks. We implement 1-qubit and 2-qubit quantum classifiers with QECCs, specifically the Steane code, and the distance 3 & 5 surface codes to analyze 2-dimensional and 4-dimensional datasets. This research uniquely evaluates the performance of these QECCs in enhancing the robustness and accuracy of quantum classifiers against various physical errors, including bit-flip, phase-flip, and depolarizing errors. The results emphasize that the effectiveness of a QECC in practical scenarios depends on various factors, including qubit availability, desired accuracy, and the specific types and levels of physical errors, rather than solely on theoretical superiority.