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Quantum copying: A review

Mark S. Hillery

Published Jul 1, 2000• 1 citation
OpenAlex

Abstract

Quantum information is stored in two-level quantum systems known as qubits. The no-cloning theorem states that the state of an unknown qubit cannot be copied. This is in contrast to classical information which can be copied. If one drops the requirement that the copies be perfect it is possible to design quantum copiers. This paper presents a short review of the theory of quantum copying.

Related papers

Quantum Cloning and Deletion in Quantum Information Theory

Satyabrata Adhikari

Quantum mechanics put restriction on performing some task which we can do classically. One such restriction is that we cannot copy an arbitrary quantum state. This is known as No-cloning theorem. Although quantum mechanics forbid us to construct a perfect cloner, there is no restriction to construct an imperfect cloner. Therefore, we have constructed and studied a special kind of quantum cloning machine named as Hybrid quantum cloning machine which is nothing but a different combination of pre-existing quantum cloning machines. We showed that this hybrid quantum cloning machine sometime gives better quality copy than the pre-existing quantum cloners. Quantum entanglement is a very astonishing property in a multi-partite system and it is a very useful ingredient of quantum information theory. Therefore broadcasting (cloning) of entanglement is a very important subject to study. In this regard we have studied the broadcasting of entanglement using state dependent quantum cloning machine. Further, we have investigated the problem of secretly broadcasting of three-qubit entangled state between two distant partners. Linearity of quantum mechanics put another restriction on deletion of an arbitrary quantum state i.e. an arbitrary quantum state against a copy cannot be perfectly deleted. Like cloning machine one can construct an approximate deletion machine also. Therefore, we have constructed an universal deletion machine in the sense that the fidelity of deletion does not depend on the input state and showed that the fidelity of deletion is 3/4 . Further we showed that the fidelity of deletion depends on the blank state at the output and it can be improved from the value 3/4 for certain blank state. Moreover, we have studied the case where two cloned copies are given at the input of the deletion machine.

arXiv:0902.1622•Feb 10, 2009•2 citations

No-Cloning Theorem and Quantum Cloning Machines

S. Rajasekar, R. Velusamy

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.

CRC Press eBooks•Oct 5, 2022•0 citations

A stronger no-cloning theorem

Richard Jozsa

It is well known that (non-orthogonal) pure states cannot be cloned so one may ask: how much or what kind of additional (quantum) information is needed to supplement one copy of a quantum state in order to be able to produce two copies of that state by a physical operation? For classical information, no supplementary information is required. However for pure quantum (non-orthogonal) states, we show that the supplementary information must always be as large as it can possibly be i.e. the clone must be able to be generated from the additional information alone, independently of the first (given) copy.

arXiv:quant-ph/0204153•Apr 26, 2002•14 citations

The no-cloning theorem

William K. Wootters, Wojciech Hubert Zurek

People gather, copy, and distribute information all the time. But in the quantum world, the laws of physics impose a severe restriction on copying: It is impossible to make a perfect copy of an unknown state.

Physics Today•Apr 1, 2025•4 citations

Universal quantum cloning beyond noncontextual theory

Min Namkung, Hyang-Tag Lim

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} $1\rightarrow2$ cloning scenario {is fully contextual}, and {further covers general examples to observe the contextual behavior of} $N\rightarrow M$ scenario. We believe that our results regarding quantum cloning serve a key role for understanding both quantum foundation and application.

quant-pharXiv:2607.05959•Jul 8, 2026•0 citations

Quantum Cloning Machines and the Applications

Heng Fan, Yi-Nan Wang, Jing Li +4 more

No-cloning theorem is fundamental for quantum mechanics and for quantum information science that states an unknown quantum state cannot be cloned perfectly. However, we can try to clone a quantum state approximately with the optimal fidelity, or instead, we can try to clone it perfectly with the largest probability. Thus various quantum cloning machines have been designed for different quantum information protocols. Specifically, quantum cloning machines can be designed to analyze the security of quantum key distribution protocols such as BB84 protocol, six-state protocol, B92 protocol and their generalizations. Some well-known quantum cloning machines include universal quantum cloning machine, phase-covariant cloning machine, the asymmetric quantum cloning machine and the probabilistic quantum cloning machine etc. In the past years, much progress has been made in studying quantum cloning machines and their applications and implementations, both theoretically and experimentally. In this review, we will give a complete description of those important developments about quantum cloning and some related topics. On the other hand, this review is self-consistent, and in particular, we try to present some detailed formulations so that further study can be taken based on those results.

•Jan 1, 2013•63 citations
Quantum information is stored in two-level quantum systems known as qubits. The no-cloning theorem states that the state of an unknown qubit cannot be copied. This is in contrast to classical information which can be copied. If one drops the requirement that the copies be perfect it is possible to design quantum copiers. This paper presents a short review of the theory of quantum copying.
Quantum mechanics put restriction on performing some task which we can do classically. One such restriction is that we cannot copy an arbitrary quantum state. This is known as No-cloning theorem. Although quantum mechanics forbid us to construct a perfect cloner, there is no restriction to construct an imperfect cloner. Therefore, we have constructed and studied a special kind of quantum cloning machine named as Hybrid quantum cloning machine which is nothing but a different combination of pre-existing quantum cloning machines. We showed that this hybrid quantum cloning machine sometime gives better quality copy than the pre-existing quantum cloners. Quantum entanglement is a very astonishing property in a multi-partite system and it is a very useful ingredient of quantum information theory. Therefore broadcasting (cloning) of entanglement is a very important subject to study. In this regard we have studied the broadcasting of entanglement using state dependent quantum cloning machine. Further, we have investigated the problem of secretly broadcasting of three-qubit entangled state between two distant partners. Linearity of quantum mechanics put another restriction on deletion of an arbitrary quantum state i.e. an arbitrary quantum state against a copy cannot be perfectly deleted. Like cloning machine one can construct an approximate deletion machine also. Therefore, we have constructed an universal deletion machine in the sense that the fidelity of deletion does not depend on the input state and showed that the fidelity of deletion is 3/4 . Further we showed that the fidelity of deletion depends on the blank state at the output and it can be improved from the value 3/4 for certain blank state. Moreover, we have studied the case where two cloned copies are given at the input of the deletion machine.
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.
It is well known that (non-orthogonal) pure states cannot be cloned so one may ask: how much or what kind of additional (quantum) information is needed to supplement one copy of a quantum state in order to be able to produce two copies of that state by a physical operation? For classical information, no supplementary information is required. However for pure quantum (non-orthogonal) states, we show that the supplementary information must always be as large as it can possibly be i.e. the clone must be able to be generated from the additional information alone, independently of the first (given) copy.
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.
No-cloning theorem is fundamental for quantum mechanics and for quantum information science that states an unknown quantum state cannot be cloned perfectly. However, we can try to clone a quantum state approximately with the optimal fidelity, or instead, we can try to clone it perfectly with the largest probability. Thus various quantum cloning machines have been designed for different quantum information protocols. Specifically, quantum cloning machines can be designed to analyze the security of quantum key distribution protocols such as BB84 protocol, six-state protocol, B92 protocol and their generalizations. Some well-known quantum cloning machines include universal quantum cloning machine, phase-covariant cloning machine, the asymmetric quantum cloning machine and the probabilistic quantum cloning machine etc. In the past years, much progress has been made in studying quantum cloning machines and their applications and implementations, both theoretically and experimentally. In this review, we will give a complete description of those important developments about quantum cloning and some related topics. On the other hand, this review is self-consistent, and in particular, we try to present some detailed formulations so that further study can be taken based on those results.