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/0108073

Quantum Information in Space and Time

Igor Vasil'evich Volovich

Published Aug 15, 2001• 6 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Many important results in modern quantum information theory have been obtained for an idealized situation when the spacetime dependence of quantum phenomena is neglected. However the transmission and processing of (quantum) information is a physical process in spacetime. Therefore such basic notions in quantum information theory as the notions of composite systems, entangled states and the channel should be formulated in space and time. We emphasize the importance of the investigation of quantum information in space and time. Entangled states in space and time are considered. A modification of Bell`s equation which includes the spacetime variables is suggested. A general relation between quantum theory and theory of classical stochastic processes is proposed. It expresses the condition of local realism in the form of a {\it noncommutative spectral theorem}. Applications of this relation to the security of quantum key distribution in quantum cryptography are considered.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/0108073

Related papers

Towards Quantum Information Theory in Space and Time

Igor Vasil'evich Volovich

Modern quantum information theory deals with an idealized situation when the spacetime dependence of quantum phenomena is neglected. However the transmission and processing of (quantum) information is a physical process in spacetime. Therefore such basic notions in quantum information theory as qubit, channel, composite systems and entangled states should be formulated in space and time. In particlular we suggest that instead of a two level system (qubit) the basic notion in a relativistic quantum information theory should be a notion of an elementary quantum system, i.e. an infinite dimensional Hilbert space $H$ invariant under an irreducible representation of the Poincare group labeled by $[m,s]$ where $m\geq 0$ is mass and $s=0,1/2,1,...$ is spin. We emphasize an importance of consideration of quantum information theory from the point of view of quantum field theory. We point out and discuss a fundamental fact that in quantum field theory there is a statistical dependence between two regions in spacetime even if they are spacelike separated. A classical probabilistic representation for a family of correlation functions in quantum field theory is obtained. Entangled states in space and time are considered. It is shown that any reasonable state in relativistic quantum field theory becomes disentangled (factorizable) at large spacelike distances if one makes local observations. As a result a violation of Bell`s inequalities can be observed without inconsistency with principles of relativistic quantum theory only if the distance between detectors is rather small. We suggest a further experimental study of entangled states in spacetime by studying the dependence of the correlation functions on the distance between detectors.

arXiv:quant-ph/0203030•Mar 6, 2002•24 citations

QUANTUM INFORMATION AND SPACETIME STRUCTURE

Igor Vasil'evich Volovich

In modern quantum information theory one deals with an idealized situation when the spacetime dependence of quantum phenomena is neglected. However the transmission and processing of (quantum) information is a physical process in spacetime. Therefore such basic notions in quantum information theory as qubit, channel, composite systems and entangled states should be formulated in space and time. In this paper some basic notions of quantum information theory are considered from the point of view of quantum field theory and general relativity. It is pointed out an important fact that in quantum field theory there is a statistical dependence between two regions in spacetime even if they are spacelike separated. A classical probabilistic representation for a family of correlation functions in quantum field theory is obtained. A noncommutative generalization of von Neumann`s spectral theorem is discussed. We suggest a new physical principle describing a relation between the mathematical formalism of Hilbert space and quantum physical phenomena which goes beyond the superselection rules. Entangled states and the change of state associated with the measurement process in space and time are discussed including the black hole and the cosmological spacetime. It is shown that any reasonable state in relativistic quantum field theory becomes disentangled at large spacelike distances if one makes local observations. As a result a violation of Bell`s inequalities can be observed without inconsistency with principles of relativistic quantum theory only if the distance between detectors is rather small. We suggest a further experimental study of entangled states in spacetime by studying the dependence of the correlation functions on the distance between detectors.

arXiv:quant-ph/0207050•Jan 1, 2006•1 citation

Relational Realism Pertaining to Bell's Theorem

John Joseph Winders

This paper presents a conceptually simple account of the EPR argument and Bell’s theorem using entangled photon polarization experiments. It clarifies how quantum correlations arise from conditioning outcomes through fundamental properties of quantum entanglement that result in conditional probability structures rather than from superluminal influences or pre-existing particle properties. Building on this analysis, the paper explores the informational and philosophical consequences of Bell violations. Hidden-variable theories are shown to entail severe informational overhead by requiring microscopic labeling of otherwise indistinguishable particles, whereas quantum mechanics encodes structure economically through relational constraints on joint outcomes. A striking but rarely-emphasized feature of Bell-type experiments is that while traditionally the geometery of the apparatus used to carry out these experiments are aligned with each other, according to quantum mechanics the physical orientations of the apparatus have no physical meaning with respect to one another at the time of measurement. The geometry is defined only locally, relative to the laboratory in which the tests is set. The essay further argues that Bell’s theorem motivates a shift from object-centered classical realism toward a form of realism referred to as “Relational Realism” wherein correlations and informational structure are ontologically primary, while objects having individual properties are contextual and derivative. This perspective dissolves the traditional realism-versus-idealism dichotomy and situates quantum mechanics as a fundamentally relational theory of physical reality rather than an incomplete classical one.

•Feb 6, 2026•0 citations

Quantum Information Theory and Applications to Quantum Cryptography

Nikolaos P. Papadakos

Classical and quantum information theory are simply explained. To be more specific it is clarified why Shannon entropy is used as measure of classical information and after a brief review of quantum mechanics it is possible to demonstrate why the density matrix is the main tool of quantum information theory. Then von Neumann entropy is introduced and with its help a great difference between classical and quantum information theory is presented: quantum entanglement. Moreover an information theoretic interpretation of quantum measurement is discussed. Data compression, error correction and noisy channel transmission are simply demonstrated for both classical and quantum cases. Finally using the above theory quantum cryptography is reviewed and the possibility of a commercial device realizing it is explored.

arXiv:quant-ph/0201057•Jan 14, 2002•1 citation

Quantum communication and quantum computing

Sweety Mittal

The subject of quantum computing brings together ideas from classical information theory, computer science, and quantum physics.This review aims to summarize not just quantum computing, but the whole subject of quantum information theory.Information can be identified as the most general thing which must propagate from a cause to an effect.It therefore has a fundamentally important role in the science of physics.However, the mathematical treatment of information, especially information processing, is quite recent, dating from the mid-20th century.This has meant that the full significance of information as a basic concept in physics is only now being discovered.This is especially true in quantum mechanics.The theory of quantum information and computing puts this significance on a firm footing, and has led to some profound and exciting new insights into the natural world.Among these are the use of quantum states to permit the secure transmission of classical information (quantum cryptography), the use of quantum entanglement to permit reliable transmission of quantum states (teleportation), the possibility of preserving quantum coherence in the presence of irreversible noise processes (quantum error correction), and the use of controlled quantum evolution for efficient computation (quantum computation).The common theme of all these insights is the use of quantum entanglement as a computational resource.

IOSR Journal of Computer Engineering•Jan 1, 2013•0 citations

Composition rules for quantum processes: a no-go theorem

Philippe Allard Guérin, Marius Krumm, Costantino Budroni +1 more

A quantum process encodes the causal structure that relates quantum operations performed in local laboratories. The process matrix formalism includes as special cases quantum mechanics on a fixed background space-time, but also allows for more general causal structures. Motivated by the interpretation of processes as a resource for quantum information processing shared by two (or more) parties, with advantages recently demonstrated both for computation and communication tasks, we investigate the notion of composition of processes. We show that under very basic assumptions such a composition rule does not exist. While the availability of multiple independent copies of a resource, e.g. quantum states or channels, is the starting point for defining information-theoretic notions such as entropy (both in classical and quantum Shannon theory), our no-go result means that a Shannon theory of general quantum processes will not possess a natural rule for the composition of resources.

arXiv:1806.10374•New Journal of Physics•Jan 16, 2019•9 citations
Many important results in modern quantum information theory have been obtained for an idealized situation when the spacetime dependence of quantum phenomena is neglected. However the transmission and processing of (quantum) information is a physical process in spacetime. Therefore such basic notions in quantum information theory as the notions of composite systems, entangled states and the channel should be formulated in space and time. We emphasize the importance of the investigation of quantum information in space and time. Entangled states in space and time are considered. A modification of Bell`s equation which includes the spacetime variables is suggested. A general relation between quantum theory and theory of classical stochastic processes is proposed. It expresses the condition of local realism in the form of a {\it noncommutative spectral theorem}. Applications of this relation to the security of quantum key distribution in quantum cryptography are considered.
Modern quantum information theory deals with an idealized situation when the spacetime dependence of quantum phenomena is neglected. However the transmission and processing of (quantum) information is a physical process in spacetime. Therefore such basic notions in quantum information theory as qubit, channel, composite systems and entangled states should be formulated in space and time. In particlular we suggest that instead of a two level system (qubit) the basic notion in a relativistic quantum information theory should be a notion of an elementary quantum system, i.e. an infinite dimensional Hilbert space HHH invariant under an irreducible representation of the Poincare group labeled by [m,s][m,s][m,s] where m≥0m\geq 0m≥0 is mass and s=0,1/2,1,...s=0,1/2,1,...s=0,1/2,1,... is spin. We emphasize an importance of consideration of quantum information theory from the point of view of quantum field theory. We point out and discuss a fundamental fact that in quantum field theory there is a statistical dependence between two regions in spacetime even if they are spacelike separated. A classical probabilistic representation for a family of correlation functions in quantum field theory is obtained. Entangled states in space and time are considered. It is shown that any reasonable state in relativistic quantum field theory becomes disentangled (factorizable) at large spacelike distances if one makes local observations. As a result a violation of Bell`s inequalities can be observed without inconsistency with principles of relativistic quantum theory only if the distance between detectors is rather small. We suggest a further experimental study of entangled states in spacetime by studying the dependence of the correlation functions on the distance between detectors.
In modern quantum information theory one deals with an idealized situation when the spacetime dependence of quantum phenomena is neglected. However the transmission and processing of (quantum) information is a physical process in spacetime. Therefore such basic notions in quantum information theory as qubit, channel, composite systems and entangled states should be formulated in space and time. In this paper some basic notions of quantum information theory are considered from the point of view of quantum field theory and general relativity. It is pointed out an important fact that in quantum field theory there is a statistical dependence between two regions in spacetime even if they are spacelike separated. A classical probabilistic representation for a family of correlation functions in quantum field theory is obtained. A noncommutative generalization of von Neumann`s spectral theorem is discussed. We suggest a new physical principle describing a relation between the mathematical formalism of Hilbert space and quantum physical phenomena which goes beyond the superselection rules. Entangled states and the change of state associated with the measurement process in space and time are discussed including the black hole and the cosmological spacetime. It is shown that any reasonable state in relativistic quantum field theory becomes disentangled at large spacelike distances if one makes local observations. As a result a violation of Bell`s inequalities can be observed without inconsistency with principles of relativistic quantum theory only if the distance between detectors is rather small. We suggest a further experimental study of entangled states in spacetime by studying the dependence of the correlation functions on the distance between detectors.
This paper presents a conceptually simple account of the EPR argument and Bell’s theorem using entangled photon polarization experiments. It clarifies how quantum correlations arise from conditioning outcomes through fundamental properties of quantum entanglement that result in conditional probability structures rather than from superluminal influences or pre-existing particle properties. Building on this analysis, the paper explores the informational and philosophical consequences of Bell violations. Hidden-variable theories are shown to entail severe informational overhead by requiring microscopic labeling of otherwise indistinguishable particles, whereas quantum mechanics encodes structure economically through relational constraints on joint outcomes. A striking but rarely-emphasized feature of Bell-type experiments is that while traditionally the geometery of the apparatus used to carry out these experiments are aligned with each other, according to quantum mechanics the physical orientations of the apparatus have no physical meaning with respect to one another at the time of measurement. The geometry is defined only locally, relative to the laboratory in which the tests is set. The essay further argues that Bell’s theorem motivates a shift from object-centered classical realism toward a form of realism referred to as “Relational Realism” wherein correlations and informational structure are ontologically primary, while objects having individual properties are contextual and derivative. This perspective dissolves the traditional realism-versus-idealism dichotomy and situates quantum mechanics as a fundamentally relational theory of physical reality rather than an incomplete classical one.
Classical and quantum information theory are simply explained. To be more specific it is clarified why Shannon entropy is used as measure of classical information and after a brief review of quantum mechanics it is possible to demonstrate why the density matrix is the main tool of quantum information theory. Then von Neumann entropy is introduced and with its help a great difference between classical and quantum information theory is presented: quantum entanglement. Moreover an information theoretic interpretation of quantum measurement is discussed. Data compression, error correction and noisy channel transmission are simply demonstrated for both classical and quantum cases. Finally using the above theory quantum cryptography is reviewed and the possibility of a commercial device realizing it is explored.
The subject of quantum computing brings together ideas from classical information theory, computer science, and quantum physics.This review aims to summarize not just quantum computing, but the whole subject of quantum information theory.Information can be identified as the most general thing which must propagate from a cause to an effect.It therefore has a fundamentally important role in the science of physics.However, the mathematical treatment of information, especially information processing, is quite recent, dating from the mid-20th century.This has meant that the full significance of information as a basic concept in physics is only now being discovered.This is especially true in quantum mechanics.The theory of quantum information and computing puts this significance on a firm footing, and has led to some profound and exciting new insights into the natural world.Among these are the use of quantum states to permit the secure transmission of classical information (quantum cryptography), the use of quantum entanglement to permit reliable transmission of quantum states (teleportation), the possibility of preserving quantum coherence in the presence of irreversible noise processes (quantum error correction), and the use of controlled quantum evolution for efficient computation (quantum computation).The common theme of all these insights is the use of quantum entanglement as a computational resource.
A quantum process encodes the causal structure that relates quantum operations performed in local laboratories. The process matrix formalism includes as special cases quantum mechanics on a fixed background space-time, but also allows for more general causal structures. Motivated by the interpretation of processes as a resource for quantum information processing shared by two (or more) parties, with advantages recently demonstrated both for computation and communication tasks, we investigate the notion of composition of processes. We show that under very basic assumptions such a composition rule does not exist. While the availability of multiple independent copies of a resource, e.g. quantum states or channels, is the starting point for defining information-theoretic notions such as entropy (both in classical and quantum Shannon theory), our no-go result means that a Shannon theory of general quantum processes will not possess a natural rule for the composition of resources.