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Physical Review Letters

Classical No-Cloning Theorem

Andreas Daffertshofer, Angel Ricardo Plastino, Angel Ricardo Plastino

Published May 9, 2002• 60 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A classical version of the no-cloning theorem is discussed. We show that an arbitrary probability distribution associated with a (source) system cannot be copied onto another (target) system while leaving the original distribution of the source system unperturbed. For classical dynamical systems such a perfect cloning process is not permitted by the Liouvillian (ensemble) evolution associated with the joint probability distribution of the composite source-target-copying machine system.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.88.210601

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A classical version of the no-cloning theorem is discussed. We show that an arbitrary probability distribution associated with a (source) system cannot be copied onto another (target) system while leaving the original distribution of the source system unperturbed. For classical dynamical systems such a perfect cloning process is not permitted by the Liouvillian (ensemble) evolution associated with the joint probability distribution of the composite source-target-copying machine system.
This chapter begins by providing proofs of no-cloning and no-broadcasting theorems. No-cloning theorem makes it possible to detect any eavesdropper on a quantum communication channel. The chapter presents the features of some of the quantum cloning machines. In spite of the no-cloning theorem, it is quite possible to construct a quantum cloning machine which copies an unknown state approximately. A probabilistic cloning machine has been proposed which can succeed only with a probability. When it succeeds it will give a perfect copy. This probabilistic quantum cloning is much useful in studying the B92 quantum key distribution protocol which involves only two non-orthogonal states and we can try to clone it with the largest probability. A telecloning scheme combines cloning with teleportation. A quantum telecloning system for two-level system in which one input is sent to M-receivers has been proposed. The no-hiding theorem is found to have applications in black hole evaporation, quantum teleportation and private quantum channels.
We analyze the possibility of copying (that is, cloning) arbitrary states of a quantum-mechanical spin-1/2 system. We show that there exists a ``universal quantum-copying machine'' (i.e., transformation) which approximately copies quantum-mechanical states such that the quality of its output does not depend on the input. We also examine a machine which combines a unitary transformation and a selective measurement to produce good copies of states in the neighborhood of a particular state. We discuss the problem of measurement of the output states. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
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.