arXiv subjects

Robert Alicki

Publications and source records attributed to Robert Alicki.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2006

Can one build a quantum hard drive? A no-go theorem for storing quantum information in equilibrium systems

We prove a no-go theorem for storing quantum information in equilibrium systems. Namely, quantum information cannot be stored in a system with time-independent Hamiltonian interacting with heat bath of temperature $T>0$ during time that grows with the number of used qubits. We prove it by showing, that storing quantum information for macroscopic time would imply existence of perpetuum mobile of the second kind. The general results are illustrated by the Kitaev model of quantum memory. In contrast, classical information can be stored in equilibrium states for arbitrary long times. We show how it is possible via phase-transition type phenomena. Our result shows that there is a fundamental difference between quantum and classical information in {\it physical} terms.

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arXiv2005

Scalable Noise Estimation with Random Unitary Operators

We describe a scalable stochastic method for the experimental measurement of generalized fidelities characterizing the accuracy of the implementation of a coherent quantum transformation. The method is based on the motion reversal of random unitary operators. In the simplest case our method enables direct estimation of the average gate fidelity. The more general fidelities are characterized by a universal exponential rate of fidelity loss. In all cases the measurable fidelity decrease is directly related to the strength of the noise affecting the implementation -- quantified by the trace of the superoperator describing the non--unitary dynamics. While the scalability of our stochastic protocol makes it most relevant in large Hilbert spaces (when quantum process tomography is infeasible), our method should be immediately useful for evaluating the degree of control that is achievable in any prototype quantum processing device. By varying over different experimental arrangements and error-correction strategies additional information about the noise can be determined.

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arXiv2005

Physical limits on self-replication processes

Using few very general axioms which should be satisfied by any reasonable theory consistent with general physical principles and some more recent results concerning "broadcasting" of quantum states we show that: a) only classical information can self-replicate perfectly, b) "parent" and "offspring" must be strongly correlated, c) "separation of species" is possible only in a non-homogeneous environment. To illustrate the existence of theoretical schemes which possess both classical and quantum features, we present a model based on the classical probability but with overlapping pure states and "entangled states" for composite systems.

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arXiv2005

A Unified Picture of Decoherence Control

The different methods of reducing decoherence in quantum devices are discussed from the unified point of view based on the energy conservation principle and the concept of forbidden transitions. Minimal decoherence model, "bang-bang" techniques, Zeno effect and decoherence-free subspaces and subsystems are studied as particular examples.

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arXiv2005

Optimal strategy for a single-qubit gate and trade-off between opposite types of decoherence

We study reliable quantum information processing (QIP) under two different types of environment. First type is Markovian exponential decay, and the appropriate elementary strategy of protection of qubit is to apply fast gates. The second one is strongly non-Markovian and occurs solely during operations on the qubit. The best strategy is then to work with slow gates. If the two types are both present, one has to optimize the speed of gate. We show that such a trade-off is present for a single-qubit operation in a semiconductor quantum dot implementation of QIP, where recombination of exciton (qubit) is Markovian, while phonon dressing gives rise to the non-Markovian contribution.

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arXiv2004

Quantum error correction fails for Hamiltonian models

It is argued that the existing schemes of fault-tolerant quantum computation designed for discrete-time models and based on quantum error correction fail for continuous-time Hamiltonian models even with Markovian noise.

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arXiv2004

Thermodynamics of quantum informational systems - Hamiltonian description

It is often claimed, that from a quantum system of d levels, and entropy S and heat bath of temperature T one can draw kT(ln d -S) amount of work. However, the usual arguments based on Szilard engine are not fully rigorous. Here we prove the formula within Hamiltonian description of drawing work from a quantum system and a heat bath, at a cost of entropy of the system. We base on the derivation of thermodynamical laws and quantities in [R. Alicki, J. Phys. A, 12, L103 (1979)] within a weak coupling limit. Our result provides fully physical scenario for extracting thermodynamical work from quantum correlations [J. Oppenheim et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 180402 (2002)]. We also derive Landauer principle as a consquence of second law within the considered model.

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arXiv2004

Comments on "Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computation for Local Non-Markovian Noise"

In the recent paper Terhal and Burkard derived a threshold result for fault-tolerant quantum computation under the assumption of the non-Markovian noise and claimed to rebut the objections rised by Alicki and Horodecki's. The purpose of this note is to show that the main condition used by Terhal and Burkard, although looking quite innocently, implies the assumption of the extremally low probability error per single quantum gate - p < 10^{-8} - 10^{-12} - i.e. the square of the expected threshold value for the case of Markovian noise.

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arXiv2004

Isotropic quantum spin channels and additivity questions

The minimum entropy output is computed for rotationally invariant quantum channels acting on spin-1/2 and spin-1 systems. For the case of two parallel such channels and initial entangled (singlet) state the entropy of the output is higher then the doubled minimal entropy output of the single channel. This gives a certain moral support to the additivity hypothesis. Another related simple function of the channel (minimum entropy gain) is shown to be additive in general.

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arXiv2003

Quantum dynamical entropy and decoherence rate

We investigate quantum dynamical systems defined on a finite dimensional Hilbert space and subjected to an interaction with an environment. The rate of decoherence of initially pure states, measured by the increase of their von Neumann entropy, averaged over an ensemble of random pure states, is proved to be bounded from above by the partial entropy used to define the ALF dynamical entropy. The rate of decoherence induced by the sequence of the von Neumann projectors measurements is shown to be maximal, if the measurements are performed in a randomly chosen basis. The numerically observed linear increase of entropies is attributed to free-independence of the measured observable and the unitary dynamical map.

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arXiv2003

Remarks on the nature of quantum computation

Two models of computer, a quantum and a classical "chemical machine" designed to compute the relevant part of Shor's factoring algorithm are discussed. The comparison shows that the basic quantum features believed to be responsible for the exponential speed-up of quantum computations possess their classical counterparts for the hybrid digital-analog computer. It is argued that the measurement errors which cannot be fully corrected make the computation not efficient for both models.

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arXiv2003

Controlled Quantum Open Systems

The theory of controlled quantum open systems describes quantum systems interacting with quantum environments and influenced by external forces varying according to given algorithms. It is aimed, for instance, to model quantum devices which can find applications in the future technology based on quantum information processing. One of the main problems making difficult the practical implementations of quantum information theory is the fragility of quantum states under external perturbations. The aim of this note is to present the relevant results concerning ergodic properties of open quantum systems which are useful for the optimization of quantum devices and noise (errors) reduction. In particular we present mathematical characterization of the so-called "decoherence-free subspaces" for discrete and continuous-time quantum dynamical semigroups in terms of $C^*$-algebras and group representations. We analyze the non-Markovian models also, presenting the formulas for errors in the Born approximation. The obtained results are used to discuss the proposed different strategies of error reduction.

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arXiv2002

Invitation to quantum dynamical semigroups

The theory of quantum dynamical semigroups within the mathematically rigorous framework of completely positive dynamical maps is reviewed. First, the axiomatic approach which deals with phenomenological constructions and general mathematical structures is discussed. Then basic derivation schemes of the constructive approach including singular coupling, weak coupling and low density limits are presented in their higly simplified versions. Two-level system coupled to a heat bath, damped harmonic oscillator, models of decoherence, quantum Brownian particle and Bloch-Boltzmann equations are used as illustrations of the general theory. Physical and mathematical limitations of the quantum open system theory, the validity of Markovian approximation and alternative approaches are discussed also.

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arXiv2002

Decoherence in quantum open systems revisited

The following statements belonging to the folklore of the theory of environmental decoherence are shown to be incorrect: 1) linear coupling to harmonic oscillator bath is a universal model of decoherence, 2) chaotic environments are more efficient decoherers.

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arXiv2002

Completely Positive Bloch-Boltzmann Equations

The density operator of the arbitrary physical system must be positive definite. Employing the general master equation technique which preserves this property we derive equations of motion for the density operator of an active atom which interacts collisionally with the reservoir of perturber atoms. The obtained general relations applied to the two-level atom yield Bloch-Boltzmann equations (BBE). The form of the BBE obtained by us differs from that known from literature which, as we show, are not guaranteed to preserve the required positivity. We argue that our results are the correct ones and as such should be used in practical applications. Moreover, the structure and the terms which appear in our set of BBE seem to allow simpler and more straightforward physical interpretation.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2002

Information-theoretical meaning of quantum dynamical entropy

The theory of noncommutative dynamical entropy and quantum symbolic dynamics for quantum dynamical systems is analised from the point of view of quantum information theory. Using a general quantum dynamical system as a communication channel one can define different classical capacities depending on the character of resources applied for encoding and decoding procedures and on the type of information sources. It is shown that for Bernoulli sources the entanglement-assisted classical capacity, which is the largest one, is bounded from above by the quantum dynamical entropy defined in terms of operational partitions of unity. Stronger results are proved for the particular class of quantum dynamical systems -- quantum Bernoulli shifts. Different classical capacities are exactly computed and the entanglement-assisted one is equal to the dynamical entropy in this case.

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arXiv2001

Dynamical description of quantum computing: generic nonlocality of quantum noise

We develop dynamical non-Markovian description of quantum computing in weak coupling limit, in lowest order approximation. We show that long range memory of quantum reservoir produces strong interrelation between structure of noise and quantum algorithm, implying nonlocal attacks of noise. We then argue that the quantum error correction method fails to protect quantum computation against electromagnetic or phonon vacuum which exhibit $1/t^4$ memory. This shows that the implicit assumption of quantum error correction theory -- independence of noise and self-dynamics -- fails in long time regimes. We also use our approach to present {\it pure} decoherence and decoherence accompanied by dissipation in terms of spectral density of reservoir. The so-called {\it dynamical decoupling} method is discussed in this context. Finally, we propose {\it minimal decoherence model}, in which the only source of decoherence is vacuum. We optimize fidelity of quantum information processing under the trade-off between speed of gate and strength of decoherence.

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arXiv2001

A search for a border between classical and quantum worlds

The effects of environmental decoherence on a mass center position of a macroscopic body are studied using the linear quantum Boltzmann equation. The border between the classical world and the quantum one is discussed and the results are illustrated by the recent experiments od Zeilinger group involving C_60 and C_70 fullerenes.

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