Color image storage and retrieval using quantum mechanics

In this paper, two algorithms for storing and retrieving a color image using quantum mechanics are proposed. The first algorithm encodes a pixel’s color information with an angle. In this case, it has some advantages in retrieval speed, required qubits and quantum measurements. In the second algorithm, a pixel’s color is divided into three channels: R, G and B, and each channel is encoded with an angle. In this case, it has an advantage in retrieval accuracy. By example analysis, the proposed algorithms are compared with the other algorithms in some aspects, e.g., the total number of qubits, the total number of measurements and the accuracy of retrieval. It can be found that the first algorithm has the advantage in the speed of retrieval, the total number of qubits and the total number of measurements, and the second algorithm has the advantage in the accuracy of retrieval.