Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Entropy and Algorithmic Complexity in Quantum Information Theory: a Quantum Brudno's Theorem

Fabio Benatti, Tyll Krueger, Markus P. Müller, Rainer Siegmund‐Schultze, Arleta Szkoła

Published Jun 10, 2005• 1 citation
OpenAlex

Abstract

In classical information theory, entropy rate and algorithmic complexity per symbol are related by a theorem of Brudno. In this paper, we prove a quantum version of this theorem, connecting the von Neumann entropy rate and two notions of quantum algorithmic complexity, both based on the shortest qubit descriptions of qubit strings that, run by a universal quantum Turing machine, reproduce them as outputs.

Related papers

Quantum Algorithmic Complexities and Entropy

Fabio Benatti

We review the basics of classical algorithmic complexity theory and two of its quantum extensions that have been prompted by the foreseeable existence of quantum computing devices. In particular, we will examine the relations between these extensions and the von Neumann entropy rate of generic quantum information sources of ergodic type.

Open Systems & Information Dynamics•Mar 1, 2009•30 citations

Quantum Entropy and Complexity

Fabio Benatti, Samad Khabbazi Oskouei, A. Shafiei Deh Abad

We study the relations between the recently proposed machine-independent quantum complexity of P. Gacs [1] and the entropy of classical and quantum systems. On one hand, by restricting Gacs complexity to ergodic classical dynamical systems, we retrieve the equality between the Kolmogorov complexity rate and the Shannon entropy rate derived by A. A. Brudno [2]. On the other hand, using the quantum Shannon-McMillan theorem [3], we show that such an equality holds densely in the case of ergodic quantum spin chains.

arXiv:1705.09449•Open Systems & Information Dynamics•Jun 1, 2017•1 citation

Gacs Algorithmic Complexity on Hilbert Spaces and Some of its Applications

Samad Khabbazi Oskouei

We extend the notion of Gacs quantum algorithmic entropy, originally formulated for finitely many qubits, to infinite dimensional quantum spin chains and investigate the relation of this extension with two quantum dynamical entropies that have been proposed in recent years. Further, we prove an extension of Brudno's theorem in quantum spin chains with shift dynamics.

arXiv:1511.00635•Oct 21, 2015•1 citation

ALGORITHMIC COMPLEXITY OF QUANTUM STATES

Caterina E. Mora, Hans J. Briegel

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.

arXiv:quant-ph/0412172•International Journal of Quantum Information•Aug 1, 2006•24 citations

Quantum Dynamical Entropies and Gács Algorithmic Entropy

Fabio Benatti

Several quantum dynamical entropies have been proposed that extend the classical Kolmogorov–Sinai (dynamical) entropy. The same scenario appears in relation to the extension of algorithmic complexity theory to the quantum realm. A theorem of Brudno establishes that the complexity per unit time step along typical trajectories of a classical ergodic system equals the KS-entropy. In the following, we establish a similar relation between the Connes–Narnhofer–Thirring quantum dynamical entropy for the shift on quantum spin chains and the Gács algorithmic entropy. We further provide, for the same system, a weaker linkage between the latter algorithmic complexity and a different quantum dynamical entropy proposed by Alicki and Fannes.

Entropy•Jul 12, 2012•3 citations

Quantum algorithmic entropy

Péter Gács

We extend algorithmic information theory to quantum mechanics, taking a universal semicomputable density matrix (`universal probability') as a starting point, and define complexity (an operator) as its negative logarithm. A number of properties of Kolmogorov complexity extend naturally to the new domain. Approximately, a quantum state is simple if it is within a small distance from a low-dimensional subspace of low Kolmogorov complexity. The von Neumann entropy of a computable density matrix is within an additive constant from the average complexity. Some of the theory of randomness translates to the new domain. We explore the relations of the new quantity to the quantum Kolmogorov complexity defined by Vitányi (we show that the latter is sometimes as large as 2 n − 2 log n ) and the qubit complexity defined by Berthiaume, Dam and Laplante. The `cloning' properties of our complexity measure are similar to those of qubit complexity.

arXiv:quant-ph/0011046•Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General•Aug 24, 2001•68 citations
In classical information theory, entropy rate and algorithmic complexity per symbol are related by a theorem of Brudno. In this paper, we prove a quantum version of this theorem, connecting the von Neumann entropy rate and two notions of quantum algorithmic complexity, both based on the shortest qubit descriptions of qubit strings that, run by a universal quantum Turing machine, reproduce them as outputs.
We study the relations between the recently proposed machine-independent quantum complexity of P. Gacs [1] and the entropy of classical and quantum systems. On one hand, by restricting Gacs complexity to ergodic classical dynamical systems, we retrieve the equality between the Kolmogorov complexity rate and the Shannon entropy rate derived by A. A. Brudno [2]. On the other hand, using the quantum Shannon-McMillan theorem [3], we show that such an equality holds densely in the case of ergodic quantum spin chains.
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.
Several quantum dynamical entropies have been proposed that extend the classical Kolmogorov–Sinai (dynamical) entropy. The same scenario appears in relation to the extension of algorithmic complexity theory to the quantum realm. A theorem of Brudno establishes that the complexity per unit time step along typical trajectories of a classical ergodic system equals the KS-entropy. In the following, we establish a similar relation between the Connes–Narnhofer–Thirring quantum dynamical entropy for the shift on quantum spin chains and the Gács algorithmic entropy. We further provide, for the same system, a weaker linkage between the latter algorithmic complexity and a different quantum dynamical entropy proposed by Alicki and Fannes.
We extend algorithmic information theory to quantum mechanics, taking a universal semicomputable density matrix (`universal probability') as a starting point, and define complexity (an operator) as its negative logarithm. A number of properties of Kolmogorov complexity extend naturally to the new domain. Approximately, a quantum state is simple if it is within a small distance from a low-dimensional subspace of low Kolmogorov complexity. The von Neumann entropy of a computable density matrix is within an additive constant from the average complexity. Some of the theory of randomness translates to the new domain. We explore the relations of the new quantity to the quantum Kolmogorov complexity defined by Vitányi (we show that the latter is sometimes as large as 2 n − 2 log n ) and the qubit complexity defined by Berthiaume, Dam and Laplante. The `cloning' properties of our complexity measure are similar to those of qubit complexity.