Oliver Hahn, Ryuji Takagi (Aug 28 2025).
Abstract: Quantum non-Gaussianity is a key resource for quantum advantage in continuous-variable systems. We introduce a general framework to quantify non-Gaussianity based on correlation generation: two copies of a state become correlated at a
50:50 beam splitter if and only if the state is non-Gaussian, with correlations reducing to entanglement in the pure-state case. This connection enables operational measures of non-Gaussianity, defined through correlation quantifiers such as Rényi-
α entropy for pure states and Rényi-
α mutual information for mixed states. We prove that all such measures are monotonic under Gaussian channels. Building on this framework, we propose a sample-efficient experimental protocol to estimate non-Gaussianity using standard optical components, even in the state agnostic setting. Finally, we establish a lower bound on the sample complexity of estimating Wigner negativity, allowing a direct comparison with our protocol. Our results provide both a unifying theoretical framework for non-Gaussianity and a practical route toward its experimental quantification.