The problem of extending the insights and techniques of categorical quantum mechanics to infinite-dimensional systems was considered in (Coecke and Heunen, 2016). In that work the $\mathrm{CP}^{\infty}$ -construction, which recovers the category of Hilbert spaces and quantum operations from the category of Hilbert spaces and bounded linear maps, was defined. Here we show that by a `horizontal categorification' of the $\mathrm{CP}^{\infty}$ -construction, one can recover the category of all von Neumann algebras and channels (normal unital completely positive maps) from the 2-category $[W^*]$ of von Neumann algebras, bimodules and intertwiners. As an application, we extend Choi's characterisation of extremal channels between finite-dimensional matrix algebras to a characterisation of extremal channels between arbitrary von Neumann algebras.The problem of extending the insights and techniques of categorical quantum mechanics to infinite-dimensional systems was considered in (Coecke and Heunen, 2016). In that work the $\mathrm{CP}^{\infty}$-construction, which recovers the category of Hilbert spaces and quantum operations from the category of Hilbert spaces and bounded linear maps, was defined. Here we show that by a `horizontal categorification' of the $\mathrm{CP}^{\infty}$-construction, one can recover the category of all von Neumann algebras and channels (normal unital completely positive maps) from the 2-category $[W^*]$ of von Neumann algebras, bimodules and intertwiners. As an application, we extend Choi's characterisation of extremal channels between finite-dimensional matrix algebras to a characterisation of extremal channels between arbitrary von Neumann algebras.

arXiv:2310.15776Oct 24, 20230 citations

Quantum Coherence Spaces Revisited: A von Neumann (Co)Algebraic Approach

Thea Li, Vladimir Zamdzhiev

We describe a categorical model of MALL (Multiplicative Additive Linear Logic) inspired by the Heisenberg-Schrödinger duality of finite-dimensional quantum theory. Proofs of formulas with positive logical polarity correspond to CPTP (completely positive trace-preserving) maps in our model, i.e. the quantum operations in the Schrödinger picture, whereas proofs of formulas with negative logical polarity correspond to CPU (completely positive unital) maps, i.e. the quantum operations in the Heisenberg picture. The mathematical development is based on noncommutative geometry and finite-dimensional von Neumann (co)algebras, which can be defined as special kinds of (co)monoid objects internal to the category of finite-dimensional operator spaces.We describe a categorical model of MALL (Multiplicative Additive Linear Logic) inspired by the Heisenberg-Schrödinger duality of finite-dimensional quantum theory. Proofs of formulas with positive logical polarity correspond to CPTP (completely positive trace-preserving) maps in our model, i.e. the quantum operations in the Schrödinger picture, whereas proofs of formulas with negative logical polarity correspond to CPU (completely positive unital) maps, i.e. the quantum operations in the Heisenberg picture. The mathematical development is based on noncommutative geometry and finite-dimensional von Neumann (co)algebras, which can be defined as special kinds of (co)monoid objects internal to the category of finite-dimensional operator spaces.

math.CTCross-listedarXiv:2601.15832Jan 23, 2026

Categories of Quantum and Classical Channels (extended abstract)

Bob Coecke, Chris Heunen, Aleks Kissinger

We introduce the CP*-construction on a dagger compact closed category as a generalisation of Selinger's CPM-construction. While the latter takes a dagger compact closed category and forms its category of "abstract matrix algebras" and completely positive maps, the CP*-construction forms its category of "abstract C*-algebras" and completely positive maps. This analogy is justified by the case of finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces, where the CP*-construction yields the category of finite-dimensional C*-algebras and completely positive maps. The CP*-construction fully embeds Selinger's CPM-construction in such a way that the objects in the image of the embedding can be thought of as "purely quantum" state spaces. It also embeds the category of classical stochastic maps, whose image consists of "purely classical" state spaces. By allowing classical and quantum data to coexist, this provides elegant abstract notions of preparation, measurement, and more general quantum channels.We introduce the CP*-construction on a dagger compact closed category as a generalisation of Selinger's CPM-construction. While the latter takes a dagger compact closed category and forms its category of "abstract matrix algebras" and completely positive maps, the CP*-construction forms its category of "abstract C*-algebras" and completely positive maps. This analogy is justified by the case of finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces, where the CP*-construction yields the category of finite-dimensional C*-algebras and completely positive maps. The CP*-construction fully embeds Selinger's CPM-construction in such a way that the objects in the image of the embedding can be thought of as "purely quantum" state spaces. It also embeds the category of classical stochastic maps, whose image consists of "purely classical" state spaces. By allowing classical and quantum data to coexist, this provides elegant abstract notions of preparation, measurement, and more general quantum channels.

arXiv:1408.0049Electronic Proceedings in Theoretical Computer ScienceJul 29, 20146 citations

Quantum Coherence Spaces Revisited: A von Neumann (Co)Algebraic Approach

Thea Li, Vladimir Zamdzhiev

Apr 13, 20260 citations

Absolutely Dilatable Bimodule Maps

Alexandros Chatzinikolaou, Ivan G. Todorov, Lyudmila B. Turowska

Abstract We characterise absolutely dilatable completely positive maps on the space of all bounded operators on a Hilbert space that are also bimodular over a given von Neumann algebra as rotations by a suitable unitary on a larger Hilbert space followed by slicing along the trace of an additional ancilla. We define the local, quantum, and approximately quantum types of absolutely dilatable maps, according to the type of the admissible ancilla. We show that the local absolutely dilatable maps admit an exact factorisation through an abelian ancilla and show that they are limits in the point weak* topology of conjugations by unitaries in the commutant of the given von Neumann algebra. We show that the Connes Embedding Problem is equivalent to deciding if all absolutely dilatable maps are approximately quantum.Abstract We characterise absolutely dilatable completely positive maps on the space of all bounded operators on a Hilbert space that are also bimodular over a given von Neumann algebra as rotations by a suitable unitary on a larger Hilbert space followed by slicing along the trace of an additional ancilla. We define the local, quantum, and approximately quantum types of absolutely dilatable maps, according to the type of the admissible ancilla. We show that the local absolutely dilatable maps admit an exact factorisation through an abelian ancilla and show that they are limits in the point weak* topology of conjugations by unitaries in the commutant of the given von Neumann algebra. We show that the Connes Embedding Problem is equivalent to deciding if all absolutely dilatable maps are approximately quantum.

arXiv:2411.08086International Mathematics Research NoticesJun 1, 20250 citations

1 Normal Completely Positive Maps on the Space of Quantum Operations

Giulio Chiribella, Alessandro Toigo

Quantum supermaps are higher-order maps transforming quantum operations into quantum operations. Here we extend the theory of quantum supermaps, originally formulated in the finite dimensional setting, to the case of higher-order maps transforming quantum operations with input in a separable von Neumann algebra and output in the algebra of the bounded operators on a given separable Hilbert space. In this setting we prove two dilation theorems for quantum supermaps that are the analogues of the Stinespring and Radon-Nikodym theorems for quantum operations. Finally, we consider the case of quantum superinstruments, namely measures with values in the set of quantum supermaps, and derive a dilation theorem for them that is analogue to Ozawa's theorem for quantum instruments. The three dilation theorems presented here show that all the supermaps defined in this paper can be implemented by connecting devices in quantum circuits.Quantum supermaps are higher-order maps transforming quantum operations into quantum operations. Here we extend the theory of quantum supermaps, originally formulated in the finite dimensional setting, to the case of higher-order maps transforming quantum operations with input in a separable von Neumann algebra and output in the algebra of the bounded operators on a given separable Hilbert space. In this setting we prove two dilation theorems for quantum supermaps that are the analogues of the Stinespring and Radon-Nikodym theorems for quantum operations. Finally, we consider the case of quantum superinstruments, namely measures with values in the set of quantum supermaps, and derive a dilation theorem for them that is analogue to Ozawa's theorem for quantum instruments. The three dilation theorems presented here show that all the supermaps defined in this paper can be implemented by connecting devices in quantum circuits.

Aug 17, 20167 citations

^{\infty}

and beyond: 2-categorical dilation theory

The problem of extending the insights and techniques of categorical quantum mechanics to infinite-dimensional systems was considered in (Coecke and Heunen, 2016). In that work the

\mathrm{CP}^{\infty}

-construction, which recovers the category of Hilbert spaces and quantum operations from the category of Hilbert spaces and bounded linear maps, was defined. Here we show that by a `horizontal categorification' of the

\mathrm{CP}^{\infty}

-construction, one can recover the category of all von Neumann algebras and channels (normal unital completely positive maps) from the 2-category

[W^*]

of von Neumann algebras, bimodules and intertwiners. As an application, we extend Choi's characterisation of extremal channels between finite-dimensional matrix algebras to a characterisation of extremal channels between arbitrary von Neumann algebras.