Quantum Covariance Research Articles

Polar duality and the reconstruction of quantum covariance matrices from partial data

We address the problem of the reconstruction of quantum covariance matrices using the notion of Lagrangian and symplectic polar duality introduced in previous work. We apply our constructions to Gaussian quantum states which leads to a non-trivial generalization of Pauli’s reconstruction problem and we state a simple tomographic characterization of such states.

A result about the classification of quantum covariance matrices based on their eigenspectra

The set of covariance matrices of a continuous-variable quantum system with a finite number of degrees of freedom is a strict subset of the set of real positive-definite matrices (PDMs) due to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. This has the implication that, in general, not every orthogonal transform of a quantum covariance matrix (CM) produces a PDM that obeys the uncertainty principle. A natural question thus arises, to find the set of quantum covariance matrices consistent with a given eigenspectrum. For the special class of pure Gaussian states the set of quantum covariance matrices with a given eigenspectrum consists of a single orbit of the action of the orthogonal symplectic group. The eigenspectrum of a CM of a state in this class is composed of pairs that each multiply to one. Our main contribution is finding a non-trivial class of eigenspectra with the property that the set of quantum covariance matrices corresponding to any eigenspectrum in this class are related by orthogonal symplectic transformations. We show that all non-degenerate eigenspectra with this property must belong to this class, and that the set of such eigenspectra coincides with the class of non-degenerate eigenspectra that identify the physically relevant thermal and squeezing parameters of a Gaussian state.

Quantum covariance scalar products and efficient estimation of maximum-entropy projections

Quantum covariance scalar products and efficient estimation of maximum-entropy projections

Non-Hermitian parent Hamiltonian from a generalized quantum covariance matrix

Non-Hermitian parent Hamiltonian from a generalized quantum covariance matrix

Generalized quantum geometric tensor for excited states using the path integral approach

The quantum geometric tensor, composed of the quantum metric tensor and Berry curvature, fully encodes the parameter space geometry of a physical system. We first provide a formulation of the quantum geometrical tensor in the path integral formalism that can handle both the ground and excited states, making it useful to characterize excited state quantum phase transitions (ESQPT). In this setting, we also generalize the quantum geometric tensor to incorporate variations of the system parameters and the phase-space coordinates. This gives rise to an alternative approach to the quantum covariance matrix, from which we can get information about the quantum entanglement of Gaussian states through tools such as purity and von Neumann entropy. Second, we demonstrate the equivalence between the formulation of the quantum geometric tensor in the path integral formalism and other existing methods. Furthermore, we explore the geometric properties of the generalized quantum metric tensor in depth by calculating the Ricci tensor and scalar curvature for several quantum systems, providing insight into this geometric information.

Quantum covariance via quantum information

For a quantum state and a set of observables, S. Luo found a matrix inequality linking the quantum covariance and the quantum Fisher information defined via the symmetric logarithmic derivatives. In this paper, we provide the corresponding matrix inequality based on the Wigner–Yanase skew information.

Infinite-horizon risk-sensitive performance criteria for translation invariant networks of linear quantum stochastic systems

This paper is concerned with networks of identical linear quantum stochastic systems which interact with each other and external bosonic fields in a translation invariant fashion. The systems are associated with sites of a multidimensional lattice and are governed by coupled linear quantum stochastic differential equations (QSDEs). The block Toeplitz coefficients of these QSDEs are specified by the energy and coupling matrices which quantify the Hamiltonian and coupling operators for the component systems. We discuss the invariant Gaussian quantum state of the network when it satisfies a stability condition and is driven by statistically independent vacuum fields. A quadratic-exponential functional (QEF) is considered as a risk-sensitive performance criterion for a finite fragment of the network over a bounded time interval. This functional involves a quadratic function of dynamic variables of the component systems with a block Toeplitz weighting matrix. Assuming the invariant state, we study the spatio-temporal asymptotic rate of the QEF per unit time and per lattice site in the thermodynamic limit of unboundedly growing time horizons and fragments of the lattice. A spatio-temporal frequency-domain formula is obtained for the QEF rate in terms of two spectral functions associated with the real and imaginary parts of the invariant quantum covariance kernel of the network variables. A homotopy method and asymptotic expansions for evaluating the QEF rate are also discussed.

Symplectic Polar Duality, Quantum Blobs, and Generalized Gaussians

We apply the notion of polar duality from convex geometry to the study of quantum covariance ellipsoids in symplectic phase space. We consider in particular the case of “quantum blobs” introduced in previous work; quantum blobs are the smallest symplectic invariant regions of the phase space compatible with the uncertainty principle in its strong Robertson–Schrödinger form. We show that these phase space units can be characterized by a simple condition of reflexivity using polar duality, thus improving previous results. We apply these geometric constructions to the characterization of pure Gaussian states in terms of partial information on the covariance ellipsoid, which allows us to formulate statements related to symplectic tomography.

Linear Superposition as a Core Theorem of Quantum Empiricism

Clarifying the nature of the quantum state |Ψ⟩ is at the root of the problems with insight into counter-intuitive quantum postulates. We provide a direct—and math-axiom free—empirical derivation of this object as an element of a vector space. Establishing the linearity of this structure—quantum superposition—is based on a set-theoretic creation of ensemble formations and invokes the following three principia: (I) quantum statics, (II) doctrine of the number in the physical theory, and (III) mathematization of matching the two observations with each other (quantum covariance). All of the constructs rest upon a formalization of the minimal experimental entity—the registered micro-event, detector click. This is sufficient for producing the ℂ-numbers, axioms of linear vector space (superposition principle), statistical mixtures of states, eigenstates and their spectra, and non-commutativity of observables. No use is required of the spatio-temporal concepts. As a result, the foundations of theory are liberated to a significant extent from the issues associated with physical interpretations, philosophical exegeses, and mathematical reconstruction of the entire quantum edifice.

Quadratic-exponential functionals of Gaussian quantum processes

This paper is concerned with exponential moments of integral-of-quadratic functions of quantum processes with canonical commutation relations of position-momentum type. Such quadratic-exponential functionals (QEFs) arise as robust performance criteria in control problems for open quantum harmonic oscillators (OQHOs) driven by bosonic fields. We develop a randomised representation for the QEF using a Karhunen–Loeve expansion of the quantum process on a bounded time interval over the eigenbasis of its two-point commutator kernel, with noncommuting position-momentum pairs as coefficients. This representation holds regardless of a particular quantum state and employs averaging over an auxiliary classical Gaussian random process whose covariance operator is specified by the commutator kernel. This allows the QEF to be related to the moment-generating functional of the quantum process and computed for multipoint Gaussian states. For stationary Gaussian quantum processes, we establish a frequency-domain formula for the QEF rate in terms of the Fourier transform of the quantum covariance kernel in composition with trigonometric functions. A differential equation is obtained for the QEF rate with respect to the risk sensitivity parameter for its approximation and numerical computation. The QEF is also applied to large deviations and worst-case mean square cost bounds for OQHOs in the presence of statistical uncertainty with a quantum relative entropy description.

Frequency-Domain Computation of Quadratic-Exponential Cost Functionals for Linear Quantum Stochastic Systems

This paper is concerned with quadratic-exponential functionals (QEFs) as risk-sensitive performance criteria for linear quantum stochastic systems driven by multichannel bosonic fields. Such costs impose an exponential penalty on quadratic functions of the quantum system variables over a bounded time interval, and their minimization secures a number of robustness properties for the system. We use an integral operator representation of the QEF, obtained recently, in order to compute its infinite-horizon asymptotic growth rate in the invariant Gaussian state when the stable system is driven by vacuum input fields. The resulting frequency-domain formula expresses the QEF growth rate in terms of two spectral functions associated with the real and imaginary parts of the quantum covariance kernel of the system variables. We also discuss the computation of the QEF growth rate using homotopy and contour integration techniques and provide an illustrative numerical example with a two-mode open quantum harmonic oscillator.

Quantum Reality, Perspectivalism and Covariance

Paul Busch has emphasized on various occasions the importance for physics of going beyond a merely instrumentalist view of quantum mechanics. Even if we cannot be sure that any particular realist interpretation describes the world as it actually is, the investigation of possible realist interpretations helps us to develop new physical ideas and better intuitions about the nature of physical objects at the micro level. In this spirit, Paul Busch himself pioneered the concept of “unsharp quantum reality”, according to which there is an objective non-classical indeterminacy—a lack of sharpness—in the properties of individual quantum systems. We concur with Busch’s motivation for investigating realist interpretations of quantum mechanics and with his willingness to move away from classical intuitions. In this article we try to take some further steps on this road. In particular, we pay attention to a number of prima facie implausible and counter-intuitive aspects of realist interpretations of unitary quantum mechanics. We shall argue that from a realist viewpoint, quantum contextuality naturally leads to “perspectivalism” with respect to properties of spatially extended quantum systems, and that this perspectivalism is important for making relativistic covariance possible.

Computational Inverse Method for Constructing Spaces of Quantum Models from Wave Functions

Traditional computational methods for studying quantum many-body systems are "forward methods," which take quantum models, i.e., Hamiltonians, as input and produce ground states as output. However, such forward methods often limit one's perspective to a small fraction of the space of possible Hamiltonians. We introduce an alternative computational "inverse method," the Eigenstate-to-Hamiltonian Construction (EHC), that allows us to better understand the vast space of quantum models describing strongly correlated systems. EHC takes as input a wave function $|\psi_T\rangle$ and produces as output Hamiltonians for which $|\psi_T\rangle$ is an eigenstate. This is accomplished by computing the quantum covariance matrix, a quantum mechanical generalization of a classical covariance matrix. EHC is widely applicable to a number of models and in this work we consider seven different examples. Using the EHC method, we construct a parent Hamiltonian with a new type of antiferromagnetic ground state, a parent Hamiltonian with two different targeted degenerate ground states, and large classes of parent Hamiltonians with the same ground states as well-known quantum models, such as the Majumdar-Ghosh model, the XX chain, the Heisenberg chain, the Kitaev chain, and a 2D BdG model.

From Log-Determinant Inequalities to Gaussian Entanglement via Recoverability Theory

Many determinantal inequalities for positive definite block matrices are consequences of general entropy inequalities, specialised to Gaussian distributed vectors with prescribed covariances. In particular, strong subadditivity (SSA) yields \begin{equation*} \ln\det V_{AC} + \ln\det V_{BC} - \ln\det V_{ABC} - \ln\det V_C \geq 0 \end{equation*} for all $3\times 3$-block matrices $V_{ABC}$, where subscripts identify principal submatrices. We shall refer to the above inequality as SSA of log-det entropy. In this paper we develop further insights on the properties of the above inequality and its applications to classical and quantum information theory. In the first part of the paper, we show how to find known and new necessary and sufficient conditions under which saturation with equality occurs. Subsequently, we discuss the role of the classical transpose channel (also known as Petz recovery map) in this problem and find its action explicitly. We then prove some extensions of the saturation theorem, by finding faithful lower bounds on a log-det conditional mutual information. In the second part, we focus on quantum Gaussian states, whose covariance matrices are not only positive but obey additional constraints due to the uncertainty relation. For Gaussian states, the log-det entropy is equivalent to the R\'enyi entropy of order $2$. We provide a strengthening of log-det SSA for quantum covariance matrices that involves the so-called Gaussian R\'enyi-$2$ entanglement of formation, a well-behaved entanglement measure defined via a Gaussian convex roof construction. We then employ this result to define a log-det entropy equivalent of the squashed entanglement, which is remarkably shown to coincide with the Gaussian R\'enyi-$2$ entanglement of formation. This allows us to establish useful properties of such measure(s), like monogamy, faithfulness, and additivity on Gaussian states.

Schur Complement Inequalities for Covariance Matrices and Monogamy of Quantum Correlations.

We derive fundamental constraints for the Schur complement of positive matrices, which provide an operator strengthening to recently established information inequalities for quantum covariance matrices, including strong subadditivity. This allows us to prove general results on the monogamy of entanglement and steering quantifiers in continuous variable systems with an arbitrary number of modes per party. A powerful hierarchical relation for correlation measures based on the log-determinant of covariance matrices is further established for all Gaussian states, which has no counterpart among quantities based on the conventional von Neumann entropy.

A note on extremal decompositions of covariances

We shall present an elementary approach to extremal decompositions of (quantum) covariance matrices determined by densities. We give a new proof on former results and provide a sharp estimate of the ranks of the densities that appear in the decomposition theorem.

Refinement of Robertson-type uncertainty principles with geometric interpretation

A generalization of the classical covariance for quantum mechanical observables has previously been presented by Gibilisco et al. Gibilisco and Isola has proved that the usual quantum covariance gives the sharpest inequalities for the determinants of covariance matrices. We introduce a new generalization of the classical covariance which gives better inequalities than the classical one, furthermore it has a direct geometric interpretation.

The Hilbert space of conditional clauses

In the absence of a satisfactory interpretation of quantum theory, physical law lacks physical basis. This paper reviews the orthodox, or Dirac–von Neumann interpretation, and makes explicit that Hilbert space describes propositions about measurement results. Kets are defined as conditional clauses referring to measurements in a formal language. It is seen that these clauses are elements of a Hilbert space, such that addition is logical disjunction, the dual space consists of consequent clauses, and the inner product is a set of statements in the subjunctive mood. The probability interpretation gives truth values for corresponding future tense statements when the initial state is actually prepared and the final state is to be measured. The mathematical structure of quantum mechanics is formulated in terms of discrete measurement results at finite level of accuracy and does not depend on an assumption of a substantive, or background, space–time continuum. A continuum of kets, ∣x〉 for x ∈ ℝ3, is constructed from linear combinations of kets in a finite basis. The inner product can be expressed either as a finite sum or as an integral. Discrete position functions are uniquely embedded into smooth wave functions in such a way that differential operators are defined. It is shown that the choice of basis has no effect on underlying physics (quantum covariance). The Dirac delta has a representation as a smooth function. Operators do not in general have an integral form. The Schrödinger equation is shown from the requirements of the probability interpretation. It is remarked that a formal construction of quantum electrodynamics (qed) avoiding divergence problems has been completed using finite dimensional Hilbert space. I conclude that quantum mechanics makes statements about the world with clear physical meaning, such that space is emergent from particle interactions and has no fundamental role.

Against the ‘no-go’ philosophy of quantum mechanics

In the area of the foundations of quantum mechanics a true industry appears to have developed in the last decades, with the aim of proving as many results as possible concerning what there cannot be in the quantum realm. In principle, the significance of proving ‘no-go’ results should consist in clarifying the fundamental structure of the theory, by pointing out a class of basic constraints that the theory itself is supposed to satisfy. In the present paper I will discuss some more recent no-go claims and I will argue against the deep significance of these results, with a two-fold strategy. First, I will consider three results concerning respectively local realism, quantum covariance and predictive power in quantum mechanics, and I will try to show how controversial the main conditions of the negative theorem turn out to be—something that strongly undermines the general relevance of these theorems. Second, I will try to discuss what I take to be a common feature of these theoretical enterprises, namely that of aiming at establishing negative results for quantum mechanics in absence of a deeper understanding of the overall ontological content and structure of the theory. I will argue that the only way toward such an understanding may be to cast in advance the problems in a clear and well-defined interpretational framework—which in my view means primarily to specify the ontology that quantum theory is supposed to be about—and after to wonder whether problems that seemed worth pursuing still are so in the framework.

How to distinguish quantum covariances using uncertainty relations

To each operator monotone function it is possible to associate a quantum version of the classical covariance. We show that: i) only for regular quantum covariances one can prove non-trivial uncertainty relations; ii) the usual quantum covariance gives the best inequalities in this setting.