Characterizing quantum channels from local-unitary invariants

We develop systematic frameworks for characterizing the entanglement properties of two-qubit channels beyond unitary settings. We introduce averaged local-unitary invariants, referred to as moments, obtained from Haar integrals over input states or unitaries. These moments provide computable descriptions of how a quantum channel can create, preserve, or destroy bipartite entanglement. We first show that second-order moments yield criteria for non-entangling and entanglement-breaking channels, which allow us to detect entanglement-creating and entanglement-preserving channels. We then demonstrate that higher-order moments can capture additional information and distinguish channels beyond second-order moments alone. Finally, we show that combinations of moments associated with different channel families improve the discrimination of locally inequivalent two-qubit unitaries.We develop systematic frameworks for characterizing the entanglement properties of two-qubit channels beyond unitary settings. We introduce averaged local-unitary invariants, referred to as moments, obtained from Haar integrals over input states or unitaries. These moments provide computable descriptions of how a quantum channel can create, preserve, or destroy bipartite entanglement. We first show that second-order moments yield criteria for non-entangling and entanglement-breaking channels, which allow us to detect entanglement-creating and entanglement-preserving channels. We then demonstrate that higher-order moments can capture additional information and distinguish channels beyond second-order moments alone. Finally, we show that combinations of moments associated with different channel families improve the discrimination of locally inequivalent two-qubit unitaries.

quant-pharXiv:2606.03722Jun 3, 20260 citations

Entangling power and fidelity diagnostic for bipartite quantum channels

Marcin Rudziński, Gianluigi Tartaglione, Karol Życzkowski

We study two distinct diagnostics of bipartite quantum channels: the average fidelity between a desired state and noisy output across different classes of input states, and generation of entanglement from pure product input states, quantified by well-defined entangling power. These diagnostics are generally independent, but together they provide a more complete description of bipartite channels. We show that the fidelity averaged over any local-unitary orbit with fixed Schmidt coefficients for equal local dimensions is completely determined by the average input-output fidelity and its restriction to product inputs. We also introduce concurrence- and negativity-based entangling power for two-qubit channels, prove their convexity and monotonicity under local postprocessing, and show that, unlike the previously proposed linear-entropy quantity, they vanish for all separable channels. Representative separable and nonseparable channels are investigated. Finally, we generalize our definitions of entangling power to nonproduct inputs, and provide an analytical lower bound for the concurrence-based entanglement variation, showing its effectiveness with specific examples.We study two distinct diagnostics of bipartite quantum channels: the average fidelity between a desired state and noisy output across different classes of input states, and generation of entanglement from pure product input states, quantified by well-defined entangling power. These diagnostics are generally independent, but together they provide a more complete description of bipartite channels. We show that the fidelity averaged over any local-unitary orbit with fixed Schmidt coefficients for equal local dimensions is completely determined by the average input-output fidelity and its restriction to product inputs. We also introduce concurrence- and negativity-based entangling power for two-qubit channels, prove their convexity and monotonicity under local postprocessing, and show that, unlike the previously proposed linear-entropy quantity, they vanish for all separable channels. Representative separable and nonseparable channels are investigated. Finally, we generalize our definitions of entangling power to nonproduct inputs, and provide an analytical lower bound for the concurrence-based entanglement variation, showing its effectiveness with specific examples.

quant-pharXiv:2605.26867Physical Review AMay 27, 20260 citations

Detection of nonabsolute separability in quantum states and channels through moments

Bivas Mallick, Saheli Mukherjee, Nirman Ganguly +1 more

In quantum information and computation, the generation of entanglement through unitary gates remains a significant and active area of research. However, there are states termed as absolutely separable, from which entanglement cannot be created through any non-local unitary action. Thus, from a resource-theoretic perspective, non-absolutely separable states are useful as they can be turned into entangled states using some appropriate unitary gates. In this work, we propose an efficient method to detect non-absolutely separable states. Our approach relies on evaluating moments that can bypass the need for full state tomography, thereby enhancing its practical applicability. We then present several examples in support of our detection scheme. We also address a closely related problem concerning states whose partial transpose remains positive under any arbitrary non-local unitary action. Furthermore, we examine the effectiveness of our moment-based approach in the detection of quantum channels that are not absolutely separating, which entails the detection of resource preserving channels. Finally, we demonstrate the operational significance of non-absolutely separable states by proving that every such state can provide an advantage in a quantum-channel discrimination task.In quantum information and computation, the generation of entanglement through unitary gates remains a significant and active area of research. However, there are states termed as absolutely separable, from which entanglement cannot be created through any non-local unitary action. Thus, from a resource-theoretic perspective, non-absolutely separable states are useful as they can be turned into entangled states using some appropriate unitary gates. In this work, we propose an efficient method to detect non-absolutely separable states. Our approach relies on evaluating moments that can bypass the need for full state tomography, thereby enhancing its practical applicability. We then present several examples in support of our detection scheme. We also address a closely related problem concerning states whose partial transpose remains positive under any arbitrary non-local unitary action. Furthermore, we examine the effectiveness of our moment-based approach in the detection of quantum channels that are not absolutely separating, which entails the detection of resource preserving channels. Finally, we demonstrate the operational significance of non-absolutely separable states by proving that every such state can provide an advantage in a quantum-channel discrimination task.

arXiv:2508.15700Physical Review AJan 9, 20261 citation

Moments of Quantum Channel Ensembles

Matthew Duschenes, Diego García-Martín, Zoë Holmes +1 more

Moments of ensembles of unitaries play a central role in quantum information theory as they capture the statistical properties of dynamics of systems with some form of randomness. Indeed, concepts such as approximate $t$ -designs arise when comparing how close an associated moment operator of a given unitary ensemble is to that of another, reference ensemble. Despite the importance of moment operators, their properties have not been as explored for quantum channels. In this work we develop a theoretical framework to compute moment operators for ensembles of quantum channels, for all moment orders $t$ , with a special focus on determining ensembles that can be used as points of reference. By deriving hierarchies between ensembles, via inequalities of their moment operator norms, we give them operational meaning, and define useful concepts such as that of channel $t$ -designs. Finally, we perform theoretical and numerical studies which show that different types of noise can decrease the norm of the moment operators (e.g., depolarizing noise), as well as increase it (e.g., amplitude damping noise), and generalize noise-induced concentration phenomena to channel-design-induced phenomena. Along the way, we find a block-orthogonal basis for permutations, which greatly simplifies our analyses, and may be of independent interest in moment calculations.Moments of ensembles of unitaries play a central role in quantum information theory as they capture the statistical properties of dynamics of systems with some form of randomness. Indeed, concepts such as approximate $t$-designs arise when comparing how close an associated moment operator of a given unitary ensemble is to that of another, reference ensemble. Despite the importance of moment operators, their properties have not been as explored for quantum channels. In this work we develop a theoretical framework to compute moment operators for ensembles of quantum channels, for all moment orders $t$, with a special focus on determining ensembles that can be used as points of reference. By deriving hierarchies between ensembles, via inequalities of their moment operator norms, we give them operational meaning, and define useful concepts such as that of channel $t$-designs. Finally, we perform theoretical and numerical studies which show that different types of noise can decrease the norm of the moment operators (e.g., depolarizing noise), as well as increase it (e.g., amplitude damping noise), and generalize noise-induced concentration phenomena to channel-design-induced phenomena. Along the way, we find a block-orthogonal basis for permutations, which greatly simplifies our analyses, and may be of independent interest in moment calculations.

quant-pharXiv:2511.12700PRX QuantumNov 18, 20251 citation

Higher-dimensional-entanglement detection and quantum-channel characterization using moments of generalized positive maps

Bivas Mallick, Ananda G. Maity, Nirman Ganguly +1 more

Higher-dimensional entanglement is a valuable resource for several quantum information processing tasks, and is often characterized by the Schmidt number and specific classes of entangled states beyond qubit-qubit and qubit-qutrit systems. We propose a criterion to detect higher-dimensional entanglement, focusing on determining the Schmidt number of quantum states and identifying significant classes of positive partial transposition and negative partial transposition entangled states. Our approach relies on evaluating moments of generalized positive maps which can be efficiently simulated in real experiments without the requirement of full-state tomography. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our detection scheme through various illustrative examples. As a direct application, we explore the implications of our moment-based detection schemes in identifying useful quantum channels such as non-Schmidt-number breaking channels and non-entanglement breaking channels. Finally, we present an operational implication of our proposed moment criterion through its manifestation in channel discrimination tasks.Higher-dimensional entanglement is a valuable resource for several quantum information processing tasks, and is often characterized by the Schmidt number and specific classes of entangled states beyond qubit-qubit and qubit-qutrit systems. We propose a criterion to detect higher-dimensional entanglement, focusing on determining the Schmidt number of quantum states and identifying significant classes of positive partial transposition and negative partial transposition entangled states. Our approach relies on evaluating moments of generalized positive maps which can be efficiently simulated in real experiments without the requirement of full-state tomography. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our detection scheme through various illustrative examples. As a direct application, we explore the implications of our moment-based detection schemes in identifying useful quantum channels such as non-Schmidt-number breaking channels and non-entanglement breaking channels. Finally, we present an operational implication of our proposed moment criterion through its manifestation in channel discrimination tasks.

arXiv:2502.14062Physical Review AJun 24, 202511 citations

Bargmann-invariant framework for local unitary equivalence and entanglement

Lin Zhang, Bing Xie, Yuan-Hong Tao

Research on quantum states often focuses on the correlation between nonlocal effects and local unitary invariants, among which local unitary equivalence plays a significant role in quantum state classification and resource theories. This paper focuses on the local unitary equivalence of multipartite quantum states in quantum information theory, aiming to determine a complete set of invariants that identify their local unitary orbits; these invariants are crucial for deriving polynomial invariants and describing the physical properties preserved under local unitary transformations. The study deeply explores the characterization of local unitary equivalence and the method of detecting entanglement using local unitary Bargmann invariants. Taking two-qubit systems as an example, it verifies the measurability of invariants that determine equivalence and establishes a connection between Makhlin fundamental invariants (a complete set of 18 local unitary invariants for two-qubit states) and local unitary Bargmann invariants. These Bargmann invariants, related to the traces of products of density operators and marginal states, can be measured through cycle tests (an extended form of swap tests).Research on quantum states often focuses on the correlation between nonlocal effects and local unitary invariants, among which local unitary equivalence plays a significant role in quantum state classification and resource theories. This paper focuses on the local unitary equivalence of multipartite quantum states in quantum information theory, aiming to determine a complete set of invariants that identify their local unitary orbits; these invariants are crucial for deriving polynomial invariants and describing the physical properties preserved under local unitary transformations. The study deeply explores the characterization of local unitary equivalence and the method of detecting entanglement using local unitary Bargmann invariants. Taking two-qubit systems as an example, it verifies the measurability of invariants that determine equivalence and establishes a connection between Makhlin fundamental invariants (a complete set of 18 local unitary invariants for two-qubit states) and local unitary Bargmann invariants. These Bargmann invariants, related to the traces of products of density operators and marginal states, can be measured through cycle tests (an extended form of swap tests).

arXiv:2412.17237Physical Review ANov 13, 20251 citation

t

-designs arise when comparing how close an associated moment operator of a given unitary ensemble is to that of another, reference ensemble. Despite the importance of moment operators, their properties have not been as explored for quantum channels. In this work we develop a theoretical framework to compute moment operators for ensembles of quantum channels, for all moment orders

t

, with a special focus on determining ensembles that can be used as points of reference. By deriving hierarchies between ensembles, via inequalities of their moment operator norms, we give them operational meaning, and define useful concepts such as that of channel

t

-designs. Finally, we perform theoretical and numerical studies which show that different types of noise can decrease the norm of the moment operators (e.g., depolarizing noise), as well as increase it (e.g., amplitude damping noise), and generalize noise-induced concentration phenomena to channel-design-induced phenomena. Along the way, we find a block-orthogonal basis for permutations, which greatly simplifies our analyses, and may be of independent interest in moment calculations.