arXiv subjects

Kamil Korzekwa

Publications and source records attributed to Kamil Korzekwa.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Quantum advantage in simulating stochastic processes

We investigate the problem of simulating classical stochastic processes through quantum dynamics, and present three scenarios where memory or time quantum advantages arise. First, by introducing and analysing a quantum version of the embeddability problem for stochastic matrices, we show that quantum memoryless dynamics can simulate classical processes that necessarily require memory. Second, by extending the notion of space-time cost of a stochastic process $P$ to the quantum domain, we prove an advantage of the quantum cost of simulating $P$ over the classical cost. Third, we demonstrate that the set of classical states accessible via Markovian master equations with quantum controls is larger than the set of those accessible with classical controls, leading, e.g., to a potential advantage in cooling protocols.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Algebraic and geometric structures inside the Birkhoff polytope

The Birkhoff polytope $\mathcal{B}_d$ consisting of all bistochastic matrices of order $d$ assists researchers from many areas, including combinatorics, statistical physics and quantum information. Its subset $\mathcal{U}_d$ of unistochastic matrices, determined by squared moduli of unitary matrices, is of a particular importance for quantum theory as classical dynamical systems described by unistochastic transition matrices can be quantised. In order to investigate the problem of unistochasticity we introduce the set $\mathcal{L}_d$ of bracelet matrices that forms a subset of $\mathcal{B}_d$, but a superset of $\mathcal{U}_d$. We prove that for every dimension $d$ this set contains the set of factorisable bistochastic matrices $\mathcal{F}_d$ and is closed under matrix multiplication by elements of $\mathcal{F}_d$. Moreover, we prove that both $\mathcal{L}_d$ and $\mathcal{F}_d$ are star-shaped with respect to the flat matrix. We also analyse the set of $d\times d$ unistochastic matrices arising from circulant unitary matrices, and show that their spectra lie inside $d$-hypocycloids on the complex plane. Finally, applying our results to small dimensions, we fully characterise the set of circulant unistochastic matrices of order $d\leq 4$, and prove that such matrices form a monoid for $d=3$.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Robustness of Noether's principle: Maximal disconnects between conservation laws and symmetries in quantum theory

To what extent does Noether's principle apply to quantum channels? Here, we quantify the degree to which imposing a symmetry constraint on quantum channels implies a conservation law, and show that this relates to physically impossible transformations in quantum theory, such as time-reversal and spin-inversion. In this analysis, the convex structure and extremal points of the set of quantum channels symmetric under the action of a Lie group $G$ becomes essential. It allows us to derive bounds on the deviation from conservation laws under any symmetric quantum channel in terms of the deviation from closed dynamics as measured by the unitarity of the channel. In particular, we investigate in detail the $U(1)$ and $SU(2)$ symmetries related to energy and angular momentum conservation laws. In the latter case, we provide fundamental limits on how much a spin-$j_A$ system can be used to polarise a larger spin-$j_B$ system, and on how much one can invert spin polarisation using a rotationally-symmetric operation. Finally, we also establish novel links between unitarity, complementary channels and purity that are of independent interest.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Work fluctuations due to partial thermalizations in two-level systems

We study work extraction processes mediated by finite-time interactions with an ambient bath -- \emph{partial thermalizations} -- as continuous time Markov processes for two-level systems. Such a stochastic process results in fluctuations in the amount of work that can be extracted and is characterized by the rate at which the system parameters are driven in addition to the rate of thermalization with the bath. We analyze the distribution of work for the case where the energy gap of a two-level system is driven at a constant rate. We derive analytic expressions for average work and lower bound for the variance of work showing that such processes cannot be fluctuation-free in general. We also observe that an upper bound for the Monte Carlo estimate of the variance of work can be obtained using Jarzynski's fluctuation-dissipation relation for systems initially in equilibrium. Finally, we analyse work extraction cycles by modifying the Carnot cycle, incorporating processes involving partial thermalizations and obtain efficiency at maximum power for such finite-time work extraction cycles under different sets of constraints.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2019

Distinguishing classically indistinguishable states and channels

We investigate an original family of quantum distinguishability problems, where the goal is to perfectly distinguish between $M$ quantum states that become identical under a completely decohering map. Similarly, we study distinguishability of $M$ quantum channels that cannot be distinguished when one is restricted to decohered input and output states. The studied problems arise naturally in the presence of a superselection rule, allow one to quantify the amount of information that can be encoded in phase degrees of freedom (coherences), and are related to time-energy uncertainty relation. We present a collection of results on both necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of $M$ perfectly distinguishable states (channels) that are classically indistinguishable.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Beyond the thermodynamic limit: finite-size corrections to state interconversion rates

Thermodynamics is traditionally constrained to the study of macroscopic systems whose energy fluctuations are negligible compared to their average energy. Here, we push beyond this thermodynamic limit by developing a mathematical framework to rigorously address the problem of thermodynamic transformations of finite-size systems. More formally, we analyse state interconversion under thermal operations and between arbitrary energy-incoherent states. We find precise relations between the optimal rate at which interconversion can take place and the desired infidelity of the final state when the system size is sufficiently large. These so-called second-order asymptotics provide a bridge between the extreme cases of single-shot thermodynamics and the asymptotic limit of infinitely large systems. We illustrate the utility of our results with several examples. We first show how thermodynamic cycles are affected by irreversibility due to finite-size effects. We then provide a precise expression for the gap between the distillable work and work of formation that opens away from the thermodynamic limit. Finally, we explain how the performance of a heat engine gets affected when one of the heat baths it operates between is finite. We find that while perfect work cannot generally be extracted at Carnot efficiency, there are conditions under which these finite-size effects vanish. In deriving our results we also clarify relations between different notions of approximate majorisation.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Avoiding irreversibility: engineering resonant conversions of quantum resources

We identify and explore the intriguing property of resource resonance arising within resource theories of entanglement, coherence and thermodynamics. While the theories considered are reversible asymptotically, the same is generally not true in realistic scenarios where the available resources are bounded. The finite-size effects responsible for this irreversibility could potentially prohibit small quantum information processors or thermal machines from achieving their full potential. Nevertheless, we show here that by carefully engineering the resource interconversion process any such losses can be greatly suppressed. Our results are predicted by higher order expansions of the trade-off between the rate of resource interconversion and the achieved fidelity, and are verified by exact numerical optimizations of appropriate approximate majorization conditions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Moderate deviation analysis of majorisation-based resource interconversion

We consider the problem of interconverting a finite amount of resources within all theories whose single-shot transformation rules are based on a majorisation relation, e.g. the resource theories of entanglement and coherence (for pure state transformations), as well as thermodynamics (for energy-incoherent transformations). When only finite resources are available we expect to see a non-trivial trade-off between the rate $r_n$ at which $n$ copies of a resource state $ρ$ can be transformed into $nr_n$ copies of another resource state $σ$, and the error level $\varepsilon_n$ of the interconversion process, as a function of $n$. In this work we derive the optimal trade-off in the so-called moderate deviation regime, where the rate of interconversion $r_n$ approaches its optimum in the asymptotic limit of unbounded resources ($n\to\infty$), while the error $ε_n$ vanishes in the same limit. We find that the moderate deviation analysis exhibits a resonance behaviour which implies that certain pairs of resource states can be interconverted at the asymptotically optimal rate with negligible error, even in the finite $n$ regime.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Coherifying quantum channels

Is it always possible to explain random stochastic transitions between states of a finite-dimensional system as arising from the deterministic quantum evolution of the system? If not, then what is the minimal amount of randomness required by quantum theory to explain a given stochastic process? Here, we address this problem by studying possible coherifications of a quantum channel $Φ$, i.e., we look for channels $Φ^{\mathcal{C}}$ that induce the same classical transitions $T$, but are "more coherent". To quantify the coherence of a channel $Φ$ we measure the coherence of the corresponding Jamiołkowski state $J_Φ$. We show that the classical transition matrix $T$ can be coherified to reversible unitary dynamics if and only if $T$ is unistochastic. Otherwise the Jamiołkowski state $J_Φ^{\mathcal{C}}$ of the optimally coherified channel is mixed, and the dynamics must necessarily be irreversible. To assess the extent to which an optimal process $Φ^{\mathcal{C}}$ is indeterministic we find explicit bounds on the entropy and purity of $J_Φ^{\mathcal{C}}$, and relate the latter to the unitarity of $Φ^{\mathcal{C}}$. We also find optimal coherifications for several classes of channels, including all one-qubit channels. Finally, we provide a non-optimal coherification procedure that works for an arbitrary channel $Φ$ and reduces its rank (the minimal number of required Kraus operators) from $d^2$ to $d$.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Markovian evolution of quantum coherence under symmetric dynamics

Both conservation laws and practical restrictions impose symmetry constraints on the dynamics of open quantum systems. In the case of time-translation symmetry, which arises naturally in many physically relevant scenarios, the quantum coherence between energy eigenstates becomes a valuable resource for quantum information processing. In this work we identify the minimum amount of decoherence compatible with this symmetry for a given population dynamics. This yields a generalisation to higher-dimensional systems of the relation $T_2 \leq 2 T_1$ for qubit decoherence and relaxation times. It also enables us to witness and assess the role of non-Markovianity as a resource for coherence preservation and transfer. Moreover, we discuss the relationship between ergodicity and the ability of Markovian dynamics to indefinitely sustain a superposition of different energy states. Finally, we establish a formal connection between the resource-theoretic and the master equation approaches to thermodynamics, with the former being a non-Markovian generalisation of the latter. Our work thus brings the abstract study of quantum coherence as a resource towards the realm of actual physical applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Structure of the thermodynamic arrow of time in classical and quantum theories

In this work we analyse the structure of the thermodynamic arrow of time, defined by transformations that leave the thermal equilibrium state unchanged, in classical (incoherent) and quantum (coherent) regimes. We note that in the infinite-temperature limit the thermodynamic ordering of states in both regimes exhibits a lattice structure. This means that when energy does not matter and the only thermodynamic resource is given by information, the thermodynamic arrow of time has a very specific structure. Namely, for any two states at present there exists a unique state in the past consistent with them and with all possible joint pasts. Similarly, there also exists a unique state in the future consistent with those states and with all possible joint futures. We also show that the lattice structure in the classical regime is broken at finite temperatures, i.e., when energy is a relevant thermodynamic resource. Surprisingly, however, we prove that in the simplest quantum scenario of a two-dimensional system, this structure is preserved at finite temperatures. We provide the physical interpretation of these results by introducing and analysing the history erasure process, and point out that quantum coherence may be a necessary resource for the existence of an optimal erasure process.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

The extraction of work from quantum coherence

The interplay between quantum-mechanical properties, such as coherence, and classical notions, such as energy, is a subtle topic at the forefront of quantum thermodynamics. The traditional Carnot argument limits the conversion of heat to work; here we critically assess the problem of converting coherence to work. Through a careful account of all resources involved in the thermodynamic transformations within a fully quantum-mechanical treatment, we show that there exist thermal machines extracting work from coherence arbitrarily well. Such machines only need to act on individual copies of a state and can be reused. On the other hand, we show that for any thermal machine with finite resources not all the coherence of a state can be extracted as work. However, even bounded thermal machines can be reused infinitely many times in the process of work extraction from coherence.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Classical noise and the structure of minimal uncertainty states

Which quantum states minimise the unavoidable uncertainty arising from the non-commutativity of two observables? The immediate answer to such a question is: it depends. Due to the plethora of uncertainty measures there are many answers. Here, instead of restricting our study to a particular measure, we present plausible axioms for the set $\mathcal{F}$ of bona-fide information-theoretic uncertainty functions. Then, we discuss the existence of states minimising uncertainty with respect to all members of $\mathcal{F}$, i.e., universal minimum uncertainty states (MUS). We prove that such states do not exist within the full state space and study the effect of classical noise on the structure of minimum uncertainty states. We present an explicit example of a qubit universal MUS that arises when purity is constrained by introducing a threshold amount of noise. For higher dimensional systems we derive several no-go results limiting the existence of noisy universal MUS. However, we conjecture that universality may emerge in an approximate sense. We conclude by discussing connections with thermodynamics, and highlight the privileged role that non-equilibrium free energy $F_2$ plays close to equilibrium.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Quantum coherence, time-translation symmetry and thermodynamics

The first law of thermodynamics imposes not just a constraint on the energy-content of systems in extreme quantum regimes, but also symmetry-constraints related to the thermodynamic processing of quantum coherence. We show that this thermodynamic symmetry decomposes any quantum state into mode operators that quantify the coherence present in the state. We then establish general upper and lower bounds for the evolution of quantum coherence under arbitrary thermal operations, valid for any temperature. We identify primitive coherence manipulations and show that the transfer of coherence between energy levels manifests irreversibility not captured by free energy. Moreover, the recently developed thermo-majorization relations on block-diagonal quantum states are observed to be special cases of this symmetry analysis.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Quantum-state transfer in spin chains via isolated resonance of terminal spins

We propose a quantum-state transfer protocol in a spin chain that requires only the control of the spins at the ends of the quantum wire. The protocol is to a large extent insensitive to inhomogeneity caused by local magnetic fields and perturbation of exchange couplings. Moreover, apart from the free evolution regime, it allows one to induce an adiabatic spin transfer, which provides the possibility of performing the transfer on demand. We also show that the amount of information leaking into the central part of the chain is small throughout the whole transfer process (which protects the information sent from being eavesdropped) and can be controlled by the magnitude of the external magnetic field.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Operational constraints on state-dependent formulations of quantum error-disturbance trade-off relations

We argue for an operational requirement that all state-dependent measures of disturbance should satisfy. Motivated by this natural criterion, we prove that in any $d$-dimensional Hilbert space and for any pair of non-commuting operators, $A$ and $B$, there exists a set of at least $2^{d-1}$ zero-noise, zero-disturbance (ZNZD) states, for which the first observable can be measured without noise and the second will not be disturbed. Moreover, we show that it is possible to construct such ZNZD states for which the expectation value of the commutator $[A,B]$ does not vanish. Therefore any state-dependent error-disturbance relation, based on the expectation value of the commutator as a lower bound, must violate the operational requirement. We also discuss Ozawa's state-dependent error-disturbance relation in light of our results and show that the disturbance measure used in this relation exhibits unphysical properties. We conclude that the trade-off is inevitable only between state-independent measures of error and disturbance.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Quantum and classical entropic uncertainty relations

How much of the uncertainty in predicting measurement outcomes for non-commuting quantum observables is genuinely quantum mechanical? We provide a natural decomposition of the total entropic uncertainty of two non-commuting observables into a classical component, and an intrinsically quantum mechanical component. We show that the total quantum component in a state is never lower or upper bounded by any state-independent quantities, but instead admits "purity-based" lower bounds that generalize entropic formulations such as the Maassen-Uffink relation. These relations reveal a non-trivial interplay between quantum and classical randomness in any finite-dimensional state.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2011

Tunneling transfer protocol in a quantum dot chain immune to inhomogeneity

We propose a quantum dot (QD) implementation of a quantum state transfer channel. The proposed channel consists of N vertically stacked QDs with the nearest neighbor tunnel coupling, placed in an axial electric field. We show that the system supports high-fidelity transfer of the state of a terminal dot both by free evolution and by adiabatic transfer. The protocol is to a large extent insensitive to inhomogeneity of the energy parameters of the dots and requires only a global electric field.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗