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OALib

No-Cloning Theorem, Leibniz’s Principle, and the Notion of Uniqueness

Qiankai Yao, Bin Zhang, Yanwei Luo, Hui Huang

Published Jan 1, 2014• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

The impossibility of cloning an unknown quantum state is one of the basic rules governing quantum physics.This statement, known as the "no-cloning theorem", prohibits perfect cloning, but doesn't oppose approximate copying.In this paper, we will prove that, due to the uncontrollable quantum fluctuations, no perfect cloning can be achieved.Such a situation allows us to treat the no-cloning theorem as an equivalent one to Leibniz's principle, and further unify them under the notion of uniqueness; that is, any physical entities (whether macroscopic or microscopic objects) in nature would have its individuality.Moreover, we also demonstrate the universality of unique scheme by showing that, any process of trying to construct one exactly symmetrical or asymmetrical body of a physical object is forbidden.On the whole, nature doesn't allow the existence of completely identical, symmetrical or asymmetrical things and this conclusion is valid for all physical domains.

DOI
10.4236/oalib.1100981

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The impossibility of cloning an unknown quantum state is one of the basic rules governing quantum physics.This statement, known as the "no-cloning theorem", prohibits perfect cloning, but doesn't oppose approximate copying.In this paper, we will prove that, due to the uncontrollable quantum fluctuations, no perfect cloning can be achieved.Such a situation allows us to treat the no-cloning theorem as an equivalent one to Leibniz's principle, and further unify them under the notion of uniqueness; that is, any physical entities (whether macroscopic or microscopic objects) in nature would have its individuality.Moreover, we also demonstrate the universality of unique scheme by showing that, any process of trying to construct one exactly symmetrical or asymmetrical body of a physical object is forbidden.On the whole, nature doesn't allow the existence of completely identical, symmetrical or asymmetrical things and this conclusion is valid for all physical domains.
Leibniz’s principium identitatis indiscernibilium excludes the existence of two different objects possessing all properties identical. Although perfectly acceptable for macroscopic systems, it becomes questionable in quantum mechanics, where the concept of identical particles is quite natural and has measurable consequences. On the other hand, Leibniz’s principle seems to be indispensable when we want to individuate an item and ascribe to it particular property (e.g. value of the projection of spin on a chosen axis). We may thus abandon the principle on the quantum level, claiming it falsity here, or (better) try to find other ways of individuation of objects, possibly by adopting appropriately the very concept of it. All these problems, and many other connected with identity and indiscernibility of quantum objects, are thoroughly discussed in the book of Tomasz Bigaj, unique in the world literature due to its comprehensiveness.
The paper queries correctness of quantum no-cloning theorem that is very imporant in the quantum information technology and the whole quantum mechanics.The proof of quantum no-cloning theorem is very simple and it can’t exclude all kinds of possible cloning.Some parts of the proof are doubtful and not very clearly proved.While quantum mechanics is very complex and not completely known,the principle of complementarity shows that it is incorrect to explain everything in a simple way.The development of science tells us many things such as measurement and copy of a particle that are thought to be impossible in a stage,may be possible when the more profound,precise and tiny characteristics is found out.If it is possible to measure in an indirect way that can’t change the measured quantum state,the quantum cloning is possible.The wave-particle duality and uncertainty relation in quantum mechanics are very hard to imagine,but they are very similar to the phenomenon of the society and human in which copy and cloning is possible.If the quantum state has something like gene,it is possible to cloning a quantum state.
Quantum theory fundamentally forbids the perfect copying of an arbitrary unknown quantum state, according to a principle known as the no-cloning theorem. Nevertheless, it is possible to construct a deterministic quantum map that produces multiple approximate copies of an unknown quantum state. This task is referred to as universal quantum cloning, further facilitating numerous quantum technologies such as quantum cryptography and quantum communication. In this work, we theoretically verify that the universal quantum cloning cannot be realized within a noncontextual theory, highlighting its intrinsically nonclassical nature. Our verification first {focuses on revealing that} 1→21\rightarrow21→2 cloning scenario {is fully contextual}, and {further covers general examples to observe the contextual behavior of} N→MN\rightarrow MN→M scenario. We believe that our results regarding quantum cloning serve a key role for understanding both quantum foundation and application.
Physical entities are not truly teleported in so-called quantum teleportation, only their states are. Similarly, physical entities are not truly cloned in so-called quantum cloning, only their states are. The celebrated no-cloning theorem tells us that a universal cloning machine, able to perfectly clone arbitrary states, cannot be built. However, this only applies to discernible quantum entities. For the indiscernible ones, which are already perfect clones of one another, the additional cloning of their state is in fact a natural process, which happens in a spontaneous way, as soon as they are allowed to interact.
Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation and Bohr’s principle of complementarity form the foundations of quantum mechanics. If these are violated then the edifice of quantum mechanics can come crashing down. In this chapter, it is shown how cloning or perfect copying of a quantum state can potentially lead to a violation of these sacred principles. A no-cloning theorem is proven showing that the cloning of an arbitrary quantum state is not allowed. The foundation of quantum mechanics is therefore protected. It is also shown how quantum cloning can lead to superluminal communication. It is also discussed that, if making a perfect copy of a quantum state is forbidden, how best a copy of a state can be made.
It is known that the classical information like strings of bits can be copied. In 1982, Wootters and Zurek proposed the quantum no-cloning principle. No-cloning principle says that it is impossible to make an identical copy of an arbitrary unknown quantum pure state by using unitary evolution. In this paper, we call U ∣ψ>|ψ>∣ψ>, where U is any unitary operator, a U-copy of the state ∣ψ>|ψ>∣ψ> and show it is impossible to make a U-copy of an arbitrary unknown quantum pure state by using unitary evolution.