arXiv subjects

Carlo Cafaro

Publications and source records attributed to Carlo Cafaro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Krylov's State Complexity and Information Geometry in Qubit Dynamics

We compare Krylov's state complexity with an information-geometric (IG) measure of complexity for the quantum evolution of two-level systems. Focusing on qubit dynamics on the Bloch sphere, we analyze evolutions generated by stationary and nonstationary Hamiltonians, corresponding to geodesic and nongeodesic trajectories. We formulate Krylov complexity in geometric terms, both instantaneously and in a time-averaged sense, and contrast it with an IG complexity of quantum evolutions characterized in terms of efficiency and curvature. We show that the two measures reflect fundamentally different aspects of quantum dynamics: Krylov's state complexity quantifies the directional spread of the evolving state relative to the initial state, whereas the IG complexity captures the effective volume explored along the trajectory on the Bloch sphere. This geometric distinction explains their inequivalent behavior and highlights the complementary nature of state-based and information-geometric notions of complexity in quantum systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Symmetry-Based Perspectives on Hamiltonian Quantum Search Algorithms and Schrodinger's Dynamics between Orthogonal States

It is known that the continuous-time variant of Grover's search algorithm is characterized by quantum search frameworks that are governed by stationary Hamiltonians, which result in search trajectories confined to the two-dimensional subspace of the complete Hilbert space formed by the source and target states. Specifically, the search approach is ineffective when the source and target states are orthogonal. In this paper, we employ normalization, orthogonality, and energy limitations to demonstrate that it is unfeasible to breach time-optimality between orthogonal states with constant Hamiltonians when the evolution is limited to the two-dimensional space spanned by the initial and final states. Deviations from time-optimality for unitary evolutions between orthogonal states can only occur with time-dependent Hamiltonian evolutions or, alternatively, with constant Hamiltonian evolutions in higher-dimensional subspaces of the entire Hilbert space. Ultimately, we employ our quantitative analysis to provide meaningful insights regarding the relationship between time-optimal evolutions and analog quantum search methods. We determine that the challenge of transitioning between orthogonal states with a constant Hamiltonian in a sub-optimal time is closely linked to the shortcomings of analog quantum search when the source and target states are orthogonal and not interconnected by the search Hamiltonian. In both scenarios, the fundamental cause of the failure lies in the existence of an inherent symmetry within the system.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Geometric Aspects of Entanglement Generating Hamiltonian Evolutions

We examine the pertinent geometric characteristics of entanglement that arise from stationary Hamiltonian evolutions transitioning from separable to maximally entangled two-qubit quantum states. From a geometric perspective, each evolution is characterized by means of geodesic efficiency, speed efficiency, and curvature coefficient. Conversely, from the standpoint of entanglement, these evolutions are quantified using various metrics, such as concurrence, entanglement power, and entangling capability. Overall, our findings indicate that time-optimal evolution trajectories are marked by high geodesic efficiency, with no energy resource wastage, no curvature (i.e., zero bending), and an average path entanglement that is less than that observed in time-suboptimal evolutions. Additionally, when analyzing separable-to-maximally entangled evolutions between nonorthogonal states, time-optimal evolutions demonstrate a greater short-time degree of nonlocality compared to time-suboptimal evolutions between the same initial and final states. Interestingly, the reverse is generally true for separable-to-maximally entangled evolutions involving orthogonal states. Our investigation suggests that this phenomenon arises because suboptimal trajectories between orthogonal states are characterized by longer path lengths with smaller curvature, which are traversed with a higher energy resource wastage compared to suboptimal trajectories between nonorthogonal states. Consequently, a higher initial degree of nonlocality in the unitary time propagators appears to be essential for achieving the maximally entangled state from a separable state. Furthermore, when assessing optimal and suboptimal evolutions...

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Efficiency, Curvature, and Complexity of Quantum Evolutions for Qubits in Nonstationary Magnetic Fields

In optimal quantum-mechanical evolutions, motion can take place along paths of minimal length within an optimal time frame. Alternatively, optimal evolutions may occur along established paths without any waste of energy resources and achieving 100% speed efficiency. Unfortunately, realistic physical scenarios often lead to less-than-ideal evolutions that demonstrate suboptimal efficiency, nonzero curvature, and a high level of complexity. In this paper, we provide an exact analytical expression for the curvature of a quantum evolution pertaining to a two-level quantum system subjected to various time-dependent magnetic fields. Specifically, we examine the dynamics produced by a two-parameter nonstationary Hermitian Hamiltonian with unit speed efficiency. To enhance our understanding of the physical implications of the curvature coefficient, we analyze the curvature behavior in relation to geodesic efficiency, speed efficiency, and the complexity of the quantum evolution (as described by the ratio of the difference between accessible and accessed Bloch-sphere volumes for the evolution from initial to final state to the accessible volume for the given quantum evolution). Our findings indicate that, generally, efficient quantum evolutions exhibit lower complexity compared to inefficient ones. However, we also note that complexity transcends mere length. In fact, longer paths that are sufficiently curved can demonstrate a complexity that is less than that of shorter paths with a lower curvature coefficient.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Upper Bounds on Fluctuation Growths of Observables in Open Quantum Systems

The upper bounds for the rate of fluctuation growth of an observable in both open and closed quantum systems have been studied actively recently. In our recent work we showed that the rate of fluctuation growth for an observable in a closed quantum system is upper bounded by the fluctuation of its corresponding velocity-like observable. That bound also indicated a tradeoff between the time derivatives of the mean and the standard deviation. In this paper we will look at open quantum systems in two cases. For the first case we find the generator of evolution for an open system employing both the Taylor expansion and the standard time-ordered evolution via the Dyson series, while in the second case we consider no specific information about the evolution of the system. We then find the rate of fluctuation growth in each case. Comparing the upper bounds for each case and considering the upper bound found for a closed system suggest that including more details by separating the contributions of the system and state dynamics seems to result in looser bounds for the rate of fluctuation growth.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Quantum corrections in general relativity explored through a GUP-inspired maximal acceleration analysis

A maximun acceleration analysis by Pati dating back to 1992 is here improved by replacing the traditional Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle (HUP) with the Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP), which predicts the existence of a minimum length in Nature. This new approach allows one to find a numerical value for the maximum acceleration existing in Nature for a physical particle that turns out to be a_{max}\simeq4\frac{c^{2}}{l_{P}}, that is, a function of two fundamental physical quantities such as the speed of light c and the Planck length l_{p}. An application of this result to black hole (BH) physics allows one to estimate a new quantum limit to general relativity. It is indeed shown that, for every real Schwarzschild BH, the maximum gravitational acceleration occurs, without becoming infinite, when the Schwarzschild radial coordinate reaches the gravitational radius. This means that quantum corrections to general relativity become necessary not at the Planck scale, as the majority of researchers in the field think, but at the Schwarzschild scale, in agreement with recent interesting results in the literature. In other words, the quantum nature of physics, which in this case manifests itself through the GUP, appears to prohibit the existence of real singularities, in this current case forbiddiing the gravitational acceleration of a Schwarzschild BH from becoming infinite.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Investigating the cosmic distance duality relation with gamma-ray bursts

Deviations from the so-called {\it cosmic distance duality relation} may result from systematic errors in distance measurements or, more interestingly, hint at new physics. Further, it can also be related to the Hubble constant tension between early and local measurements of $H_0$. Based on this, we test validity of this relation through a model-independent parameterization of the Hubble rate via the well-estabilished B\'ezier polynomials approach. We seek for possible departures from the relation considering three parametrizations, i) a power-law correction, ii) a logarithmic correction and iii) a Pad\'e series $P_{n,m}(z)$ of order (1;2) with $n=1$ being the order of the numerator while $m=2$ is the order of the denominator. Then, assuming a flat scenario, we test them through Monte Carlo -- Markov chain analyses that combine low- and intermediate/high-$z$ data sets, such as observational Hubble data, the Pantheon catalog of type Ia supernovae, galaxy clusters, the second data release from the DESI Collaboration and gamma-ray bursts. In particular, we distinguish between \emph{Analysis A} and \emph{Analysis C}, depending whether the prompt emission $E_{iso}-E_p$ or the prompt-afterglow $L_0-E_p-T$ gamma-ray burst correlations, respectively, is fit together with the other probes previously described. Our results seem to point towards a \emph{no violation} of the cosmic distance duality relation and a preference towards Planck's value of $H_0$.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

From Quantum-Mechanical Acceleration Limits to Upper Bounds on Fluctuation Growth of Observables in Unitary Dynamics

Recently, the notion of a quantum acceleration limit has been proposed for any unitary time evolution of quantum systems governed by arbitrary nonstationary Hamiltonians. This limit articulates that the rate of change over time of the standard deviation of the Hamiltonian operator representing the acceleration of quantum evolution within projective Hilbert space is constrained by the standard deviation of the time-derivative of the Hamiltonian. In this paper, we extend our earlier findings to encompass any observable A within the framework of unitary quantum dynamics, leading to the inequality. This relationship signifies that the speed of the standard deviation of any observable is limited by the standard deviation of its associated velocity-like observable. Finally, for pedagogical purposes, we illustrate the relevance of our inequality by providing clear examples. We choose suitable observables related to the unitary dynamics of two-level quantum systems, as well as a harmonic oscillator within a finite-dimensional Fock space.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Aspects of Complexity in Quantum Evolutions on the Bloch Sphere

We enhance our quantitative comprehension of the complexity associated with both time-optimal and time sub-optimal quantum Hamiltonian evolutions that connect arbitrary source and target states on the Bloch sphere, as recently presented in Nucl. Phys. B1010, 116755 (2025). Initially, we examine each unitary Schrodinger quantum evolution selected through various metrics, such as path length, geodesic efficiency, speed efficiency, and the curvature coefficient of the corresponding quantum-mechanical trajectory that connects the source state to the target state on the Bloch sphere. Subsequently, we evaluate the selected evolutions using our proposed measure of complexity, as well as in relation to the concept of complexity length scale. The choice of both time-optimal and time sub-optimal evolutions, along with the selection of source and target states, enables us to conduct pertinent sanity checks that seek to validate the physical relevance of the framework supporting our proposed complexity measure. Our research suggests that, in general, efficient quantum evolutions possess a lower complexity than their inefficient counterparts. However, it is important to recognize that complexity is not solely determined by length; in fact, longer trajectories that are adequately curved may exhibit a complexity that is less than or equal to that of shorter trajectories with a lower curvature coefficient.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

From Uncertainty Relations to Quantum Acceleration Limits

The concept of quantum acceleration limit has been recently introduced for any unitary time evolution of quantum systems under arbitrary nonstationary Hamiltonians. While Alsing and Cafaro [Int. J. Geom. Methods Mod. Phys. 21, 2440009 (2024)] used the Robertson uncertainty relation in their derivation, Pati [arXiv:quant-ph/2312.00864 (2023)] employed the Robertson-Schr\"odinger uncertainty relation to find the upper bound on the temporal rate of change of the speed of quantum evolutions. In this paper, we provide a comparative analysis of these two alternative derivations for quantum systems specified by an arbitrary finite-dimensional projective Hilbert space. Furthermore, focusing on a geometric description of the quantum evolution of two-level quantum systems on a Bloch sphere under general time-dependent Hamiltonians, we find the most general conditions needed to attain the maximal upper bounds on the acceleration of the quantum evolution. In particular, these conditions are expressed explicitly in terms of two three-dimensional real vectors, the Bloch vector that corresponds to the evolving quantum state and the magnetic field vector that specifies the Hermitian Hamiltonian of the system. For pedagogical reasons, we illustrate our general findings for two-level quantum systems in explicit physical examples characterized by specific time-varying magnetic field configurations. Finally, we briefly comment on the extension of our considerations to higher-dimensional physical systems in both pure and mixed quantum states.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

An Observer-Based View of Euclidean Geometry

Influence network of events is a view of the universe based on events that may be related to one another via influence. The network of events form a partially-ordered set which, when quantified consistently via a technique called chain projection, results in the emergence of spacetime and the Minkowski metric as well as the Lorentz transformation through changing an observer from one frame to another. Interestingly, using this approach, the motion of a free electron as well as the Dirac equation can be described. Indeed, the same approach can be employed to show how a discrete version of some of the features of Euclidean geometry, including directions, dimensions, subspaces, Pythagorean theorem, and geometric shapes can emerge. In this paper, after reviewing the essentials of the influence network formalism, we build on some of our previous works to further develop aspects of Euclidean geometry. Specifically, we present the emergence of geometric shapes, a discrete version of the Parallel postulate, the dot product, and the outer (wedge product) in 2+1 dimensions. Finally, we show that the scalar quantification of two concatenated orthogonal intervals exhibits features that are similar to those of the well-known concept of geometric product in geometric Clifford algebras.

math-ph↗

arXiv2024

Deviations from Geodesic Evolutions and Energy Waste on the Bloch Sphere

In optimal quantum-mechanical evolutions, motion can occur along non-predetermined paths of shortest length in an optimal time. Alternatively, optimal evolutions can happen along predefined paths with no waste of energy resources and 100% speed efficiency. Unfortunately, realistic physical scenarios typically result in less-than-ideal evolutions. In this paper, we study different families of sub-optimal qubit Hamiltonians, both stationary and time-varying, for which the so-called geodesic efficiency and the speed efficiency of the corresponding quantum evolutions are less than one. Furthermore, after proposing an alternative hybrid efficiency measure constructed out of the two previously mentioned efficiency quantifiers, we provide illustrative examples where the average departures from time-optimality and 100% speed efficiency are globally captured over a limited time period. In particular, thanks to this hybrid measure, quantum evolutions are partitioned in four categories: Geodesic unwasteful, nongeodesic unwasteful, geodesic wasteful and, lastly, nongeodesic wasteful. Finally, we discuss Hamiltonians specified by magnetic field configurations, both stationary and nonstationary, yielding optimal hybrid efficiency (that it, both time-optimality and 100% speed efficiency) over a finite time interval.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Curvature of Quantum Evolutions for Qubits in Time-Dependent Magnetic Fields

In the geometry of quantum-mechanical processes, the time-varying curvature coefficient of a quantum evolution is specified by the magnitude squared of the covariant derivative of the tangent vector to the state vector. In particular, the curvature coefficient measures the bending of the quantum curve traced out by a parallel-transported pure quantum state that evolves in a unitary fashion under a nonstationary Hamiltonian that specifies the Schrodinger evolution equation. In this paper, we present an exact analytical expression of the curvature of a quantum evolution for a two-level quantum system immersed in a time-dependent magnetic field. Specifically, we study the dynamics generated by a two-parameter nonstationary Hermitian Hamiltonian with unit speed efficiency. The two parameters specify the constant temporal rates of change of the polar and azimuthal angles used in the Bloch sphere representation of the evolving pure state. To better grasp the physical significance of the curvature coefficient, showing that the quantum curve is nongeodesic since the geodesic efficiency of the quantum evolution is strictly less than one and tuning the two Hamiltonian parameters, we compare the temporal behavior of the curvature coefficient with that of the speed and the acceleration of the evolution of the system in projective Hilbert space. Furthermore, we compare the temporal profile of the curvature coefficient with that of the square of the ratio between the parallel and transverse magnetic field intensities. Finally, we discuss the challenges in finding exact analytical solutions when extending our geometric approach to higher-dimensional quantum systems that evolve unitarily under an arbitrary time-dependent Hermitian Hamiltonian.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Complexity of Quantum-Mechanical Evolutions from Probability Amplitudes

We study the complexity of both time-optimal and time sub-optimal quantum Hamiltonian evolutions connecting arbitrary source and a target states on the Bloch sphere equipped with the Fubini-Study metric. This investigation is performed in a number of steps. First, we describe each unitary Schr\"odinger quantum evolution by means of the path length, the geodesic efficiency, the speed efficiency, and the curvature coefficient of its corresponding dynamical trajectory linking the source state to the target state. Second, starting from a classical probabilistic setting where the so-called information geometric complexity can be employed to describe the complexity of entropic motion on curved statistical manifolds underlying the physics of systems when only partial knowledge about them is available, we transition into a deterministic quantum setting. In this context, after proposing a definition of the complexity of a quantum evolution, we present a notion of quantum complexity length scale. In particular, we discuss the physical significance of both quantities in terms of the accessed (i.e., partial) and accessible (i.e., total) parametric volumes of the regions on the Bloch sphere that specify the quantum mechanical evolution from the source to the target states. Third, after calculating the complexity measure and the complexity length scale for each one of the two quantum evolutions, we compare the behavior of our measures with that of the path length, the geodesic efficiency, the speed efficiency, and the curvature coefficient. We find that, in general, efficient quantum evolutions are less complex than inefficient evolutions. However, we also observe that complexity is more than length. Indeed, longer paths that are sufficiently bent can exhibit a behavior that is less complex than that of shorter paths with a smaller curvature coefficient.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

From the classical Frenet-Serret apparatus to the curvature and torsion of quantum-mechanical evolutions. Part I. Stationary Hamiltonians

It is known that the Frenet-Serret apparatus of a space curve in three-dimensional Euclidean space determines the local geometry of curves. In particular, the Frenet-Serret apparatus specifies important geometric invariants, including the curvature and the torsion of a curve. It is also acknowledged in quantum information science that low complexity and high efficiency are essential features to achieve when cleverly manipulating quantum states that encode quantum information about a physical system. In this paper, we propose a geometric perspective on how to quantify the bending and the twisting of quantum curves traced by dynamically evolving state vectors. Specifically, we propose a quantum version of the Frenet-Serret apparatus for a quantum trajectory in projective Hilbert space traced by a parallel-transported pure quantum state evolving unitarily under a stationary Hamiltonian specifying the Schrodinger equation. Our proposed constant curvature coefficient is given by the magnitude squared of the covariant derivative of the tangent vector to the state vector and represents a useful measure of the bending of the quantum curve. Our proposed constant torsion coefficient, instead, is defined in terms of the magnitude squared of the projection of the covariant derivative of the tangent vector, orthogonal to both the tangent vector and the state vector. The torsion coefficient provides a convenient measure of the twisting of the quantum curve. Remarkably, we show that our proposed curvature and torsion coefficients coincide with those existing in the literature, although introduced in a completely different manner...

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

From the classical Frenet-Serret apparatus to the curvature and torsion of quantum-mechanical evolutions. Part II. Nonstationary Hamiltonians

We present a geometric perspective on how to quantify the bending and the twisting of quantum curves traced by state vectors evolving under nonstationary Hamiltonians. Specifically, relying on the existing geometric viewpoint for stationary Hamiltonians, we discuss the generalization of our theoretical construct to time-dependent quantum-mechanical scenarios where both time-varying curvature and torsion coefficients play a key role. Specifically, we present a quantum version of the Frenet-Serret apparatus for a quantum trajectory in projective Hilbert space traced out by a parallel-transported pure quantum state evolving unitarily under a time-dependent Hamiltonian specifying the Schrodinger evolution equation. The time-varying curvature coefficient is specified by the magnitude squared of the covariant derivative of the tangent vector to the state vector and measures the bending of the quantum curve. The time-varying torsion coefficient, instead, is given by the magnitude squared of the projection of the covariant derivative of the tangent vector to the state vector, orthogonal to the tangent vector and state vector and, in addition, measures the twisting of the quantum curve. We find that the time-varying setting exhibits a richer structure from a statistical standpoint. For instance, unlike the time-independent configuration, we find that the notion of generalized variance enters nontrivially in the definition of the torsion of a curve traced out by a quantum state evolving under a nonstationary Hamiltonian. To physically illustrate the significance of our construct, we apply it to an exactly soluble time-dependent two-state Rabi problem specified by a sinusoidal oscillating time-dependent potential...

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Constructions of Optimal-Speed Quantum Evolutions: A Comparative Study

We present a comparative analysis of two different constructions of optimal-speed quantum Hamiltonian evolutions on the Bloch sphere. In the first approach (Mostafazadeh's approach), the evolution is specified by a traceless stationary Hermitian Hamiltonian and occurs between two arbitrary qubit states by maximizing the energy uncertainty. In the second approach (Bender's approach), instead, the evolution is characterized by a stationary Hermitian Hamiltonian which is not traceless and occurs between an initial qubit state on the north pole and an arbitrary final qubit state. In this second approach, the evolution occurs by minimizing the evolution time subject to the constraint that the difference between the largest and the smallest eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian is kept fixed. For both approaches we calculate explicitly the optimal Hamiltonian, the optimal unitary evolution operator and, finally, the optimal magnetic field configuration. Furthermore, we show in a clear way that Mostafazadeh's and Bender's approaches are equivalent when we extend Mostafazadeh's approach to Hamiltonians with nonzero trace and, at the same time, focus on an initial quantum state placed on the north pole of the Bloch sphere. Finally, we demonstrate in both scenarios that the optimal unitary evolution operator is a rotation about an axis that is orthogonal to the unit Bloch vectors that correspond to the initial and final qubit states.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

From Entanglement to Universality: A Multiparticle Spacetime Algebra Approach to Quantum Computational Gates Revisited

Alternative mathematical explorations in quantum computing can be of great scientific interest, especially if they come with penetrating physical insights. In this paper, we present a critical revisitation of our geometric (Clifford) algebras (GAs) application in quantum computing as originally presented in [C. Cafaro and S. Mancini, Adv. Appl. Clifford Algebras 21, 493 (2011)]. Our focus is on testing the usefulness of geometric algebras (GAs) techniques in two applications to quantum computing. First, making use of the geometric algebra of a relativistic configuration space (a.k.a., multiparticle spacetime algebra or MSTA), we offer an explicit algebraic characterization of one- and two-qubit quantum states together with a MSTA description of one- and two-qubit quantum computational gates. In this first application, we devote special attention to the concept of entanglement, focusing on entangled quantum states and two-qubit entangling quantum gates. Second, exploiting the previously mentioned MSTA characterization together with the GA depiction of the Lie algebras SO(3;R) and SU(2;C) depending on the rotor group formalism, we focus our attention to the concept of universality in quantum computing by reevaluating Boykin's proof on the identification of a suitable set of universal quantum gates. At the end of our mathematical exploration, we arrive at two main conclusions. Firstly, the MSTA perspective leads to a powerful conceptual unification between quantum states and quantum operators. More specifically, the complex qubit space and the complex space of unitary operators acting on them merge in a single multivectorial real space. Secondly, the GA viewpoint on rotations based on the rotor group carries both conceptual and computational upper hands compared to conventional vectorial and matricial methods.

quant-ph↗