Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:quant-ph/0105042

Information capacity formula of quantum optical channels

Masaki Sohma, Osamu Hirota

Published May 10, 2001• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The applications of the general formulae of channel capacity developed in the quantum information theory to evaluation of information transmission capacity of optical channel are interesting subjects. In this review paper, we will point out that the formulation based on only classical-quantum channel mapping model may be inadequate when one takes into account a power constraint for noisy channel. To define the power constraint well, we should explicitly consider how quantum states are conveyed through a transmission channel. Basing on such consideration, we calculate a capacity formula for an attenuated noisy optical channel with genreral Gaussian state input; this gives certain progress beyond the example in our former paper.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/0105042

Related papers

Gaussian classical capacity of Gaussian quantum channels

Evgueni Karpov, Joachim Schäfer, Oleg V. Pilyavets +2 more

The classical capacity of quantum channels is the tight upper bound for the transmission rate of classical information. This is a quantum counterpart of the foundational notion of the channel capacity introduced by Shannon. Bosonic Gaussian quantum channels provide a good model for optical communications. In order to properly define the classical capacity for these quantum systems, an energy constraint at the channel input is necessary, as in the classical case. A further restriction to Gaussian input ensembles defines the Gaussian (classical) capacity, which can be studied analytically. It also provides a lower bound on the classical capacity and moreover, it is conjectured to coincide with the classical capacity. Therefore, the Gaussian capacity is a useful and important notion in quantum information theory. Recently, we have shown that the study of both the classical and Gaussian capacity of an arbitrary single mode Gaussian quantum channel can be reduced to the study of a particular fiducial channel. In this work we consider the Gaussian capacity of the fiducial channel, discuss its additivity and analyze its dependence on the channel parameters. In addition, we extend previously obtained results on the optimal channel environment to the single mode fiducial channel. In particular, we show that the optimal channel environment for the lossy, amplification, and phase conjugating channels is given by a pure quantum state if its energy is constrained.

•Aug 1, 2013•0 citations

Capacity of optical transmission with attenuation and amplification

Xiaoyu Chen, Li-zhen Jiang, Liang Han

The optical signal transmitted on a fiber with thermal noise, attenuation and amplification is studied. The channel is considered as a quantum channel while the signal to be transmitted is classical. The classical information is encoded in a quantum state then it is transmitted in optical fiber. At the receiving end, measurement is performed on the output quantum state to retrieve the classical information. The optimal distribution of the input quantum state achieving the channel capacity is Gaussian. The capacity is characterized by the attenuation/amplification coefficient and thermal noise in the transmission and at the measurement process together by the power of the input. The loss (or attenuation) of an optical fiber usually should be compensated by the amplification. We show that when they coexist, additional noise occurs

IEEE Information Theory Workshop (ITW)•Oct 1, 2006•0 citations

Information transmission through bosonic gaussian channels

Joachim Schäfer, Nicolas J. Cerf

In this thesis we study the information transmission through Gaussian quantum channels. Gaussian quantum channels model physical communication links, such as free space communication or optical fibers and therefore, may be considered as the most relevant quantum channels. One of the central characteristics of any communication channel is its capacity. In this work we are interested in the classical capacity, which is the maximal number of bits that can be reliably transmitted per channel use. An important lower bound on the classical capacity is given by the Gaussian capacity, which is the maximal transmission rate with the restriction that only Gaussian encodings are allowed: input messages are encoded in so-called Gaussian states for which the mean field amplitudes are Gaussian distributed. We focus in this work mainly on the Gaussian capacity for the following reasons. First, Gaussian encodings are easily accessible experimentally. Second, the difficulty of studying the classical capacity, which arises due to an optimization problem in an infinite dimensional Hilbert space, is greatly reduced when considering only Gaussian input encodings. Third, the Gaussian capacity is conjectured to coincide with the classical capacity, even though this longstanding conjecture is unsolved until today. We start with the investigation of the capacities of the single-mode Gaussian channel. We show that the most general case can be reduced to a simple, fiducial Gaussian channel which depends only on three parameters: its transmissivity (or gain), the added noise variance and the squeezing of the noise. Above a certain input energy threshold, the optimal input variances are given by a quantum water-filling solution, which implies that the optimal modulated output state is a thermal state. This is a quantum extension (or generalization) of the well-known classical water-filling solution for parallel Gaussian channels. Below the energy threshold the solution is given by a transcendental equation and only the less noisy quadrature is modulated. We characterize in detail the dependence of the Gaussian capacity on its channel parameters. In particular, we show that the Gaussian capacity is a non-monotonous function of the noise squeezing and analytically specify the regions where it exhibits one maximum, a maximum and a minimum, a saddle point or no extrema. Then, we investigate the case of n-mode channels with noise correlations (i.e. memory), where we focus in particular on the classical additive noise channel. We consider memory models for which the noise correlations can be unraveled by a passive symplectic transformation. Therefore, we can simplify the problem to the study of the Gaussian capacity in an uncorrelated basis, which corresponds to the Gaussian capacity of n single-mode channels with a common input energy constraint. Above an input energy threshold the solutions is given by a global quantum water-filling solution, which implies that all modulated single-mode output states are thermal states with the same temperature. Below the threshold the channels are divided into three sets: i) those that are excluded from information transmission, ii) those for which only the less noisy quadrature is modulated, and iii) those for which the quantum water-filling solution is satisfied. As an example we consider a Gauss-Markov correlated noise, which in the uncorrelated basis corresponds to a collection of single-mode classical additive noise channels. When rotating the collection of optimal single-mode input states back to the original, correlated basis the optimal multi-mode input state becomes a highly entangled state. We then compare the performance of the optimal input state with a simple coherent state encoding and conclude that one gains up to 10% by using the optimal encoding. Since the preparation of the optimal input state may be very challenging we consider sub-optimal Gaussian-matrix product states (GMPS) as input states as well. GMPS have a known experimental setup and, though being heavily entangled, can be generated sequentially. We demonstrate that for the Markovian correlated noise as well as for a non-Markovian noise model in a wide range of channel parameters, a nearest-neighbor correlated GMPS achieves more than 99.9% of the Gaussian capacity. At last, we introduce a new noise model for which the GMPS is the exact optimal input state. Since GMPS are known to be ground states of quadratic Hamiltonians this suggests a starting point to develop links between optimization problems of quantum communication and many body physics.

•Sep 20, 2013•1 citation

Capacity of a channel assisted by two-mode squeezed states

Masaki Sohma, Osamu Hirota

The main purpose of this paper is to derive the capacity of attenuated or amplified noisy quantum channel assisted by two-mode squeezed states. In our previous works, formulas for capacity and reliability function have been obtained for continuous variable communication channel in the case where the classical information is conveyed by unentangled quantum Gaussian states. This paper investigates how two-mode squeezed states can enhance classical communication over quantum Gaussian channel.

Physical Review A•Aug 13, 2003•24 citations

Capacity of multimode quantum Gaussian channels

Maria Popławska, Marcin Jarzyna

We derive explicit formulas for the capacity of multimode quantum Gaussian channels which serve as a fundamental model for optical version of multiple-input multiple-output channels. We show that it is always optimal to increase the number of modes under fixed power constraint. We derive an analytical formula for the ensemble-averaged Holevo capacity in the case of random passive transformations. The analogous results are also obtained for capacities achievable under homodyne and heterodyne detection. We further discuss the generalization of the model to include weak active transformations.

quant-pharXiv:2605.19749•May 20, 2026•0 citations

Capacity of quantum Gaussian channels

Alexander Semenovich Holevo, Masaki Sohma, Osamu Hirota

The aim of this paper is to give explicit calculation of the classical capacity of quantum Gaussian channels, in particular, involving squeezed states. The calculation is based on a general formula for the entropy of a quantum Gaussian state, which is of independent interest, and on the recently proved coding theorem for quantum communication channels.

Physical Review A•Mar 1, 1999•313 citations
The applications of the general formulae of channel capacity developed in the quantum information theory to evaluation of information transmission capacity of optical channel are interesting subjects. In this review paper, we will point out that the formulation based on only classical-quantum channel mapping model may be inadequate when one takes into account a power constraint for noisy channel. To define the power constraint well, we should explicitly consider how quantum states are conveyed through a transmission channel. Basing on such consideration, we calculate a capacity formula for an attenuated noisy optical channel with genreral Gaussian state input; this gives certain progress beyond the example in our former paper.
The classical capacity of quantum channels is the tight upper bound for the transmission rate of classical information. This is a quantum counterpart of the foundational notion of the channel capacity introduced by Shannon. Bosonic Gaussian quantum channels provide a good model for optical communications. In order to properly define the classical capacity for these quantum systems, an energy constraint at the channel input is necessary, as in the classical case. A further restriction to Gaussian input ensembles defines the Gaussian (classical) capacity, which can be studied analytically. It also provides a lower bound on the classical capacity and moreover, it is conjectured to coincide with the classical capacity. Therefore, the Gaussian capacity is a useful and important notion in quantum information theory. Recently, we have shown that the study of both the classical and Gaussian capacity of an arbitrary single mode Gaussian quantum channel can be reduced to the study of a particular fiducial channel. In this work we consider the Gaussian capacity of the fiducial channel, discuss its additivity and analyze its dependence on the channel parameters. In addition, we extend previously obtained results on the optimal channel environment to the single mode fiducial channel. In particular, we show that the optimal channel environment for the lossy, amplification, and phase conjugating channels is given by a pure quantum state if its energy is constrained.
The optical signal transmitted on a fiber with thermal noise, attenuation and amplification is studied. The channel is considered as a quantum channel while the signal to be transmitted is classical. The classical information is encoded in a quantum state then it is transmitted in optical fiber. At the receiving end, measurement is performed on the output quantum state to retrieve the classical information. The optimal distribution of the input quantum state achieving the channel capacity is Gaussian. The capacity is characterized by the attenuation/amplification coefficient and thermal noise in the transmission and at the measurement process together by the power of the input. The loss (or attenuation) of an optical fiber usually should be compensated by the amplification. We show that when they coexist, additional noise occurs
In this thesis we study the information transmission through Gaussian quantum channels. Gaussian quantum channels model physical communication links, such as free space communication or optical fibers and therefore, may be considered as the most relevant quantum channels. One of the central characteristics of any communication channel is its capacity. In this work we are interested in the classical capacity, which is the maximal number of bits that can be reliably transmitted per channel use. An important lower bound on the classical capacity is given by the Gaussian capacity, which is the maximal transmission rate with the restriction that only Gaussian encodings are allowed: input messages are encoded in so-called Gaussian states for which the mean field amplitudes are Gaussian distributed. We focus in this work mainly on the Gaussian capacity for the following reasons. First, Gaussian encodings are easily accessible experimentally. Second, the difficulty of studying the classical capacity, which arises due to an optimization problem in an infinite dimensional Hilbert space, is greatly reduced when considering only Gaussian input encodings. Third, the Gaussian capacity is conjectured to coincide with the classical capacity, even though this longstanding conjecture is unsolved until today. We start with the investigation of the capacities of the single-mode Gaussian channel. We show that the most general case can be reduced to a simple, fiducial Gaussian channel which depends only on three parameters: its transmissivity (or gain), the added noise variance and the squeezing of the noise. Above a certain input energy threshold, the optimal input variances are given by a quantum water-filling solution, which implies that the optimal modulated output state is a thermal state. This is a quantum extension (or generalization) of the well-known classical water-filling solution for parallel Gaussian channels. Below the energy threshold the solution is given by a transcendental equation and only the less noisy quadrature is modulated. We characterize in detail the dependence of the Gaussian capacity on its channel parameters. In particular, we show that the Gaussian capacity is a non-monotonous function of the noise squeezing and analytically specify the regions where it exhibits one maximum, a maximum and a minimum, a saddle point or no extrema. Then, we investigate the case of n-mode channels with noise correlations (i.e. memory), where we focus in particular on the classical additive noise channel. We consider memory models for which the noise correlations can be unraveled by a passive symplectic transformation. Therefore, we can simplify the problem to the study of the Gaussian capacity in an uncorrelated basis, which corresponds to the Gaussian capacity of n single-mode channels with a common input energy constraint. Above an input energy threshold the solutions is given by a global quantum water-filling solution, which implies that all modulated single-mode output states are thermal states with the same temperature. Below the threshold the channels are divided into three sets: i) those that are excluded from information transmission, ii) those for which only the less noisy quadrature is modulated, and iii) those for which the quantum water-filling solution is satisfied. As an example we consider a Gauss-Markov correlated noise, which in the uncorrelated basis corresponds to a collection of single-mode classical additive noise channels. When rotating the collection of optimal single-mode input states back to the original, correlated basis the optimal multi-mode input state becomes a highly entangled state. We then compare the performance of the optimal input state with a simple coherent state encoding and conclude that one gains up to 10% by using the optimal encoding. Since the preparation of the optimal input state may be very challenging we consider sub-optimal Gaussian-matrix product states (GMPS) as input states as well. GMPS have a known experimental setup and, though being heavily entangled, can be generated sequentially. We demonstrate that for the Markovian correlated noise as well as for a non-Markovian noise model in a wide range of channel parameters, a nearest-neighbor correlated GMPS achieves more than 99.9% of the Gaussian capacity. At last, we introduce a new noise model for which the GMPS is the exact optimal input state. Since GMPS are known to be ground states of quadratic Hamiltonians this suggests a starting point to develop links between optimization problems of quantum communication and many body physics.
We derive explicit formulas for the capacity of multimode quantum Gaussian channels which serve as a fundamental model for optical version of multiple-input multiple-output channels. We show that it is always optimal to increase the number of modes under fixed power constraint. We derive an analytical formula for the ensemble-averaged Holevo capacity in the case of random passive transformations. The analogous results are also obtained for capacities achievable under homodyne and heterodyne detection. We further discuss the generalization of the model to include weak active transformations.