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arXiv:2305.14252 · Quantum

Quantum Kolmogorov complexity and quantum correlations in deterministic-control quantum Turing machines

Mariano Lemus, Ricardo Faleiro, Paulo Mateus, Nikola Paunković, André Souto

Published Jan 18, 2024• 3 citations

Abstract

This work presents a study of Kolmogorov complexity for general quantum states from the perspective of deterministic-control quantum Turing Machines (dcq-TM). We extend the dcq-TM model to incorporate mixed state inputs and outputs, and define dcq-computable states as those that can be approximated by a dcq-TM. Moreover, we introduce (conditional) Kolmogorov complexity of quantum states and use it to study three particular aspects of the algorithmic information contained in a quantum state: a comparison of the information in a quantum state with that of its classical representation as an array of real numbers, an exploration of the limits of quantum state copying in the context of algorithmic complexity, and study of the complexity of correlations in quantum systems, resulting in a correlation-aware definition for algorithmic mutual information that satisfies symmetry of information property.

DOI: 10.22331/q-2024-01-18-1230

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We give a definition for the Kolmogorov complexity of a pure quantum state. In classical information theory, the algorithmic complexity of a string is a measure of the information needed by a universal machine to reproduce the string itself. We define the complexity of a quantum state by means of the classical description complexity of an (abstract) experimental procedure that allows us to prepare the state with a given fidelity. We argue that our definition satisfies the intuitive idea of complexity as a measure of "how difficult" it is to prepare a state. We apply this definition to give an upper bound on the algorithmic complexity of a number of known states. Furthermore, we establish a connection between the entanglement of a quantum state and its algorithmic complexity.

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