Zbigniew Puchała

Majorization entropic uncertainty relations

Entropic uncertainty relations in a finite-dimensional Hilbert space are investigated. Making use of the majorization technique we derive explicit lower bounds for the sum of R´ enyi entropies describing probability distributions associated with a given pure state expanded in eigenbases of two observables. Obtained bounds are expressed in terms of the largest singular values of submatrices of the unitary rotation matrix. Numerical simulations show that for a generic unitary matrix of size N = 5, our bound is stronger than the well- known result of Maassen and Uffink (MU) with a probability larger than 98%. We also show that the bounds investigated are invariant under the dephasing and permutation operations. Finally, we derive a classical analogue of the MU uncertainty relation, which is formulated for stochastic transition matrices.

Strong majorization entropic uncertainty relations

We analyze entropic uncertainty relations in a finite-dimensional Hilbert space and derive several strong bounds for the sum of two entropies obtained in projective measurements with respect to any two orthogonal bases. We improve the recent bounds by Coles and Piani [P. Coles and M. Piani, Phys. Rev. A 89, 022112 (2014)], which are known to be stronger than the well-known result of Maassen and Uffink [H. Maassen and J. B. M. Uffink, Phys. Rev. Lett. 60, 1103 (1988)]. Furthermore, we find a bound based on majorization techniques, which also happens to be stronger than the recent results involving the largest singular values of submatrices of the unitary matrix connecting both bases. The first set of bounds gives better results for unitary matrices close to the Fourier matrix, while the second one provides a significant improvement in the opposite sectors. Some results derived admit generalization to arbitrary mixed states, so that corresponding bounds are increased by the von Neumann entropy of the measured state. The majorization approach is finally extended to the case of several measurements.

Restricted numerical range: A versatile tool in the theory of quantum information

Numerical range of a Hermitian operator X is defined as the set of all possible expectation values of this observable among a normalized quantum state. We analyze a modification of this definition in which the expectation value is taken among a certain subset of the set of all quantum states. One considers, for instance, the set of real states, the set of product states, separable states, or the set of maximally entangled states. We show exemplary applications of these algebraic tools in the theory of quantum information: analysis of k-positive maps and entanglement witnesses, as well as study of the minimal output entropy of a quantum channel. Product numerical range of a unitary operator is used to solve the problem of local distinguishability of a family of two unitary gates.

Quantum state discrimination: A geometric approach

We analyze the problem of finding sets of quantum states that can be deterministically discriminated. From a geometric point of view, this problem is equivalent to that of embedding a simplex of points whose distances are maximal with respect to the Bures distance or trace distance. We derive upper and lower bounds for the trace distance and for the fidelity between two quantum states, which imply bounds for the Bures distance between the unitary orbits of both states. We thus show that, when analyzing minimal and maximal distances between states of fixed spectra, it is sufficient to consider diagonal states only. Hence when optimal discrimination is considered, given freedom up to unitary orbits, it is sufficient to consider diagonal states. This is illustrated geometrically in terms of Weyl chambers.

Numerical shadow and geometry of quantum states

The totality of normalised density matrices of order N forms a convex setQN in N 2 1 . Working with the at geometry induced by the Hilbert{Schmidt distance we consider images of orthogonal projections of QN onto a two{plane and show that they are similar to the numerical ranges of matrices of order N. For a matrix A of a order N one denes its numerical shadow as a probability distribution supported on its numerical range W (A), induced by the unitarily invariant Fubini{ Study measure on the complex projective manifold P N 1 . We dene generalized, mixed{states shadows of A and demonstrate their usefulness to analyse the structure of the set of quantum states and unitary dynamics therein.

Product numerical range in a space with tensor product structure

We study operators acting on a tensor product Hilbert space and investigate their product numerical range, product numerical radius and separable numerical range. Concrete bounds for the product numerical range for Hermitian operators are derived. Product numerical range of a non-Hermitian operator forms a subset of the standard numerical range containing the barycenter of the spectrum. While the latter set is convex, the product range needs not to be convex nor simply connected. The product numerical range of a tensor product is equal to the Minkowski product of numerical ranges of individual factors.

Increasing the security of the ping---pong protocol by using many mutually unbiased bases

In this paper we propose an extended version of the ping–pong protocol and study its security. The proposed protocol incorporates the usage of mutually unbiased bases in the control mode. We show that, by increasing the number of bases, it is possible to improve the security of this protocol. We also provide the upper bounds on eavesdropping average non-detection probability and propose a control mode modification that increases the attack detection probability.

Experimentally feasible measures of distance between quantum operations

We present two measures of distance between quantum processes which can be measured directly in laboratory without resorting to process tomography. The measures are based on the superfidelity, introduced recently to provide an upper bound for quantum fidelity. We show that the introduced measures partially fulfill the requirements for distance measure between quantum processes. We also argue that they can be especially useful as diagnostic measures to get preliminary knowledge about imperfections in an experimental setup. In particular we provide quantum circuit which can be used to measure the superfidelity between quantum processes. We also provide a physical interpretation of the introduced metrics based on the continuity of channel capacity.

Qubit flip game on a Heisenberg spin chain

We study a quantum version of a penny flip game played using control parameters of the Hamiltonian in the Heisenberg model. Moreover, we extend this game by introducing auxiliary spins which can be used to alter the behaviour of the system. We show that a player aware of the complex structure of the system used to implement the game can use this knowledge to gain higher mean payoff.

Restricted numerical shadow and the geometry of quantum entanglement

The restricted numerical range WR(A) of an operator A acting on a D-dimensional Hilbert space is defined as a set of all possible expectation values of this operator among pure states which belong to a certain subset R of the set of pure quantum states of dimension D. One considers for instance the set of real states, or in the case of composite spaces, the set of product states and the set of maximally entangled states. Combining the operator theory with a probabilistic approach we introduce the restricted numerical shadow of A—a normalized probability distribution on the complex plane supported in WR(A). Its value at point z ∈ C is equal to the probability that the expectation value � ψ|A|ψ� is equal to z, where |ψ� represents a random quantum state in subset R distributed according to the natural measure on this set, induced by the unitarily invariant Fubini–Study measure. Studying restricted shadows of operators of a fixed size D = NANB we analyse the geometry of sets of separable and maximally entangled states of the NA × NB composite quantum system. Investigating trajectories formed by evolving quantum states projected into the plane of the shadow, we study the dynamics of quantum entanglement. A similar analysis extended for operators onD = 2 3 -dimensional Hilbert space allows us to investigate the structure of the orbits of GHZ andW quantum states of a three-qubit system.