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Discrete Quantum Markov Chains

Ulrich Faigle, Alexander Schönhuth

Published Nov 4, 2010• 3 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

A framework for finite-dimensional quantum Markov chains on Hilbert spaces is introduced. Quantum Markov chains generalize both classical Markov chains with possibly hidden states and existing models of quantum walks on finite graphs. Quantum Markov chains are based on Markov operations that may be applied to quantum systems and include quantum measurements, for example. It is proved that quantum Markov chains are asymptotically stationary and hence possess ergodic and entropic properties. With a quantum Markov chain one may associate a quantum Markov process, which is a stochastic process in the classical sense. Generalized Markov chains allow a representation with respect to a generalized Markov source model with definite (but possibly hidden) states relative to which observables give rise to classical stochastic processes. It is demonstrated that this model allows for observables to violate Bell’s inequality.

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A framework for finite-dimensional quantum Markov chains on Hilbert spaces is introduced. Quantum Markov chains generalize both classical Markov chains with possibly hidden states and existing models of quantum walks on finite graphs. Quantum Markov chains are based on Markov operations that may be applied to quantum systems and include quantum measurements, for example. It is proved that quantum Markov chains are asymptotically stationary and hence possess ergodic and entropic properties. With a quantum Markov chain one may associate a quantum Markov process, which is a stochastic process in the classical sense. Generalized Markov chains allow a representation with respect to a generalized Markov source model with definite (but possibly hidden) states relative to which observables give rise to classical stochastic processes. It is demonstrated that this model allows for observables to violate Bell’s inequality.
Starting from the notion of algebraic hidden processes introduced in Ref. 9 , we propose a definition of quantum hidden Markov process which extends the notion of quantum Markov chain (QMC) in the same sense in which classical hidden Markov processes (HMPs) extend classical Markov chains. We give several structure theorems for this new family of quantum states which shares with the QMCs the unique property that the finite dimensional joint expectations are explicitly given without these states being linearly equivalent to product states (as the Gaussian ones). The special feature of this new class of quantum states is best exemplified by looking at their restrictions to diagonal sub-algebras: we prove that they lead to a new family of classical stochastic processes that generalize in a non-trivial way the classical HMPs.
The asymptotic dynamics of discrete quantum Markov chains generated by the most general physically relevant quantum operations is investigated. It is shown that it is confined to an attractor space in which the resulting quantum Markov chain is diagonalizable. A construction procedure of a basis of this attractor space and its associated dual basis of 1-forms is presented. It is applicable whenever a strictly positive quantum state exists which is contracted or left invariant by the generating quantum operation. Moreover, algebraic relations between the attractor space and Kraus operators involved in the definition of a quantum Markov chain are derived. This construction is not only expected to offer significant computational advantages in cases in which the dimension of the Hilbert space is large and the dimension of the attractor space is small, but it also sheds new light onto the relation between the asymptotic dynamics of discrete quantum Markov chains and fixed points of their generating quantum operations. Finally, we show that without any restriction our construction applies to all initial states whose support belongs to the so-called recurrent subspace.
We continue the analysis of nontrivial examples of quantum Markov processes. This is done by applying the construction of entangled Markov chains obtained from classical Markov chains with infinite state–space. The formula giving the joint correlations arises from the corresponding classical formula by replacing the usual matrix multiplication by the Schur multiplication. In this way, we provide nontrivial examples of entangled Markov chains on , F being any infinite dimensional type I factor, J a finite interval of , and the bar the von Neumann tensor product between von Neumann algebras. We then have new nontrivial examples of quantum random walks which could play a rôle in quantum information theory. In view of applications to quantum statistical mechanics too, we see that the ergodic type of an entangled Markov chain is completely determined by the corresponding ergodic type of the underlying classical chain, provided that the latter admits an invariant probability distribution. This result parallels the corresponding one relative to the finite dimensional case. Finally, starting from random walks on discrete ICC groups, we exhibit examples of quantum Markov processes based on type II 1 von Neumann factors.
We continue the analysis of nontrivial examples of quantum Markov processes. This is done by applying the construction of entangled Markov chains obtained from classical Markov chains with infinite state–space. The formula giving the joint correlations arises from the corresponding classical formula by replacing the usual matrix multiplication by the Schur multiplication. In this way, we provide nontrivial examples of entangled Markov chains on , F being any infinite dimensional type I factor, J a finite interval of , and the bar the von Neumann tensor product between von Neumann algebras. We then have new nontrivial examples of quantum random walks which could play a rôle in quantum information theory. In view of applications to quantum statistical mechanics too, we see that the ergodic type of an entangled Markov chain is completely determined by the corresponding ergodic type of the underlying classical chain, provided that the latter admits an invariant probability distribution. This result parallels the corresponding one relative to the finite dimensional case. Finally, starting from random walks on discrete ICC groups, we exhibit examples of quantum Markov processes based on type II 1 von Neumann factors.
We continue the analysis of nontrivial examples of quantum Markov processes. This is done by applying the construction of entangled Markov chains obtained from classical Markov chains with infinite state--space. The formula giving the joint correlations arises from the corresponding classical formula by replacing the usual matrix multiplication by the Schur multiplication. In this way, we provide nontrivial examples of entangled Markov chains on ∪J⊂Z⊗ˉJFˉC∗\bar{\cup_{J\subset Z} \bar{\otimes}_{J}F}^{C^{*}}∪J⊂Z​⊗ˉ​J​Fˉ​C∗, FFF being any infinite dimensional type III factor, JJJ a finite interval of ZZZ, and the bar the von Neumann tensor product between von Neumann algebras. We then have new nontrivial examples of quantum random walks which could play a rôle in quantum information theory. In view of applications to quantum statistical mechanics too, we see that the ergodic type of an entangled Markov chain is completely determined by the corresponding ergodic type of the underlying classical chain, provided that the latter admits an invariant probability distribution. This result parallels the corresponding one relative to the finite dimensional case. Finally, starting from random walks on discrete ICC groups, we exhibit examples of quantum Markov processes based on type II1II_1II1​ von Neumann factors.
A mathematical framework for observable processes is introduced via the model of systems whose states may be time dependent and described by possibly "negative probabilities". The model generalizes and includes the linearly dependent models or observable operator models for classical discrete stochastic processes. Within this model a general convergence result for finite-dimensional processes, which generalize finite state (hidden) Markov models, is derived. On the philosophical side, the model furthermore offers an explanation for Bell's inequality in quantum mechanics.