Decoherent Histories and Realism

We reconsider the decoherent histories approach to quantum mechanics and analyze some problems related to its interpretation which we believe have not been adequately clarified by its proponents. We put forward some assumptions which, in our opinion, are necessary for a realistic interpretation of the probabilities that the formalism attaches to decoherent histories. We prove that such assumptions, unless one limits the set of the decoherent families which can be taken into account, lead to a logical contradiction. The line of reasoning we follow is conceptually different from other arguments which have been presented and which have been rejected by the supporters of the decoherent histories approach. The conclusion is that the decoherent histories approach, to be considered as an interesting realistic alternative to the orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics, requires the identification of a mathematically precise criterion to characterize an appropriate set of decoherent families which does not give rise to any problem.     

Science as social history

Quantum states of light, such as squeezed states or entangled states, can be used to make measurements (metrology), produce images, and sense objects with a precision that far exceeds what is possible classically, and also exceeds what was once thought to be possible quantum mechanically. The primary idea is to exploit quantum effects to beat the shot-noise limit in metrology and the Rayleigh diffraction limit in imaging and sensing. Quantum optical metrology has received a boost in recent years with an influx of ideas from the rapidly evolving field of optical quantum information processing. Both areas of research exploit the creation and manipulation of quantum-entangled states of light. We will review some of the recent theoretical and experimental advances in this exciting new field of quantum optical metrology, focusing on examples that exploit a particular two-mode entangled photon state – the High-N00N state.     

Strategies for Positive Partial Transpose (PPT) States in Quantum Metrologies with Noise

Quantum metrology overcomes standard precision limits and has the potential to play a key role in quantum sensing. Quantum mechanics, through the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, imposes limits on the precision of measurements. Conventional bounds to the measurement precision such as the shot noise limit are not as fundamental as the Heisenberg limits, and can be beaten with quantum strategies that employ ‘quantum tricks’ such as squeezing and entanglement. Bipartite entangled quantum states with a positive partial transpose (PPT), i.e., PPT entangled states, are usually considered to be too weakly entangled for applications. Since no pure entanglement can be distilled from them, they are also called bound entangled states. We provide strategies, using which multipartite quantum states that have a positive partial transpose with respect to all bi-partitions of the particles can still outperform separable states in linear interferometers.     

Facts,Values and Quanta

Quantum mechanics is a fundamentally probabilistic theory (at least so far as the empirical predictions are concerned). It follows that, if one wants to properly understand quantum mechanics, it is essential to clearly understand the meaning of probability statements. The interpretation of probability has excited nearly as much philosophical controversy as the interpretation of quantum mechanics. 20th century physicists have mostly adopted a frequentist conception. In this paper it is argued that we ought, instead, to adopt a logical or Bayesian conception. The paper includes a comparison of the orthodox and Bayesian theories of statistical inference. It concludes with a few remarks concerning the implications for the concept of physical reality.     

Transitions to the Continuum: Three Different Approaches

We present three different derivations of the transition probabilities to the continuum. It is shown that calculations, performed as a direct application of the postulates of orthodox quantum mechanics (OQM), do not yield results consistent with experiments. Traditional treatments are summarized and criticized. The relation of the transitions to the continuum with the traditional quantum measurement problem is pointed out; we sum up and comment some contributions concerning this issue. It is shown that an approach based on the notion of spontaneous projections yields expressions of the transition probabilities similar to those obtained in the traditional way and new predictions which could be submitted to experimental tests.     

Analytically Computable Symmetric Quantum Correlations

One of the greatest challenges in developing the resource theory of a quantum feature is to establish an analytically computable quantifier, which directly limits the practicability of such quantifiers. Here, analytic quantifiers of both the symmetric quantum discord (SQD) and the symmetric measurement‐induced nonlocality (SMIN) in a bipartite system of qubits are studied on the basis of the quantum skew information. It is shown that the SMIN of any two‐qubit system and the SQD of bipartite “X”‐type states and block‐diagonal states can be analytically determined. In addition, the SQD and the SMIN are invariant with an attached quantum state. The validity of our analytical expressions is further illustrated numerically on the basis of several randomly generated density matrices.     

Dephasing of a qubit due to quantum and classical noise

The qubit (or a system of two quantum dots) has become a standard paradigm for studying quantum information processes. Our focus is decoherence due to interaction of the qubit with its environment, leading to noise. We consider quantum noise generated by a dissipative quantum bath. A detailed comparative study with the results for a classical noise source such as generated by a telegraph process, enables us to set limits on the applicability of this process vis à vis its quantum counterpart, as well as lend handle on the parameters that can be tuned for analysing decoherence. Both Ohmic and non-Ohmic dissipations are treated and appropriate limits are analysed for facilitating comparison with the telegraph process.     

量子开系统理论及其应用

量子物理是当代科学发展的基石,多次引发高技术革命.它与信息科学结合,产生了交叉学科——量子信息,为突破计算机芯片的尺度极限提供了全新的解决思路.自1987年起,文章作者及其合作者对量子开系统理论、量子退相干及其相关的量子物理基本问题进行了系统的探索,契合了最近10年量子信息研究的快速发展.文章首先结合上世纪70年代末彭桓武先生关于量子开系统(阻尼谐振子的量子化)的重要研究工作,介绍了量子开系统的基本概念及其研究的科学意义,同时简略介绍了文章作者及其合作者在量子开系统理论及其在量子信息应用方面的系列研究工作.     

Quantum Algorithm for Hilbert's Tenth Problem

We explore in the framework of Quantum Computation the notion of Computability, which holds a central position in Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science. A quantum algorithm for Hilbert's tenth problem, which is equivalent to the Turing halting problem and is known to be mathematically noncomputable, is proposed where quantum continuous variables and quantum adiabatic evolution are employed. If this algorithm could be physically implemented, as much as it is valid in principle—that is, if certain Hamiltonian and its ground state can be physically constructed according to the proposal—quantum computability would surpass classical computability as delimited by the Church—Turing thesis. It is thus argued that computability, and with it the limits of Mathematics, ought to be determined not solely by Mathematics itself but also by Physical Principles.     

A Spatial Domain Quantum Watermarking Scheme

This paper presents a spatial domain quantum watermarking scheme. For a quantum watermarking scheme, a feasible quantum circuit is a key to achieve it. This paper gives a feasible quantum circuit for the presented scheme. In order to give the quantum circuit, a new quantum multi-control rotation gate, which can be achieved with quantum basic gates, is designed. With this quantum circuit, our scheme can arbitrarily control the embedding position of watermark images on carrier images with the aid of auxiliary qubits. Besides reversely acting the given quantum circuit, the paper gives another watermark extracting algorithm based on quantum measurements. Moreover, this paper also gives a new quantum image scrambling method and its quantum circuit. Differ from other quantum watermarking schemes, all given quantum circuits can be implemented with basic quantum gates. Moreover, the scheme is a spatial domain watermarking scheme, and is not based on any transform algorithm on quantum images. Meanwhile, it can make sure the watermark be secure even though the watermark has been found. With the given quantum circuit, this paper implements simulation experiments for the presented scheme. The experimental result shows that the scheme does well in the visual quality and the embedding capacity.     

What is novel in quantum transport for mesoscopics?

The understanding of mesoscopic transport has now attained an ultimate simplicity. Indeed, orthodox quantum kinetics would seem to say little about mesoscopics that has not been revealed — nearly effortlessly — by more popular means. Such is far from the case, however. The fact that kinetic theory remains very much in charge is best appreciated through the physics of a quantum point contact. While discretization of its conductance is viewed as the exclusive result of coherent, single-electron-wave transmission, this does not begin to address the paramount feature of all metallic conduction: dissipation. A perfect quantum point contact still has finite resistance, so its ballistic carriers must dissipate the energy gained from the applied field. How do they manage that? The key is in standard many-body quantum theory, and its conservation principles.     

Quantum Energy-Transport and Drift-Diffusion Models

We show that Quantum Energy-Transport and Quantum Drift-Diffusion models can be derived through diffusion limits of a collisional Wigner equation. The collision operator relaxes to an equilibrium defined through the entropy minimization principle. Both models are shown to be entropic and exhibit fluxes which are related with the state variables through spatially non-local relations. Thanks to an h expansion of these models, h² perturbations of the Classical Energy-Transport and Drift-Diffusion models are found. In the Drift-Diffusion case, the quantum correction is the Bohm potential and the model is still entropic. In the Energy-Transport case however, the quantum correction is a rather complex expression and the model cannot be proven entropic.This revised version was published online in March 2005 with corrections to the title. In the previous version, the author names were missing.     

A New Quantum Communication Scheme by Using Bell States

A new quantum communication scheme based on entanglement swapping is presented. Simplified calculation symbols are adopted to realize the process. Quantum key distribution and quantum secure direct communication can be simultaneously accomplished in the scheme. Two legitimate communicators can secretly share four certain key bits and four random key bits via three EPR pairs (quantum channels).     

Terahertz wave generation in coupled quantum dots

Based on coupled quantum dots,we present an interesting optical effect in a four-level loop coupled system.Both the two upper levels and the two lower levels are designed to be almost degenerate,which induces a considerable dipole moment.The terahertz wave is obtained from the low-frequency component of the photon emission spectrum.The frequency of the terahertz wave can be controlled by tuning the energy levels via designing the nanostructure appropriately or tuning the driving laser field.A terahertz wave with adjustable frequency and considerable intensity(100 times higher than that of the Rayleigh line) can be obtained.It provides an effective scheme for a terahertz source.     

广义量子干涉原理及对偶量子计算机

我们综述最近提出的广义量子干涉原理及其在量子计算中的应用。广义量子干涉原理是对狄拉克单光子干涉原理的具体化和多光子推广,不但对像原子这样的紧致的量子力学体系适用,而且适用于几个独立的光子这样的松散量子体系。利用广义量子干涉原理,许多引起争议的问题都可以得到合理的解释,例如两个以上的单光子的干涉等问题。从广义量子干涉原理来看双光子或者多光子的干涉就是双光子和双光子自身的干涉,多光子和多光子自身的干涉。广义量子干涉原理可以利用多组分量子力学体系的广义Feynman积分表示,可以定量地计算。基于这个原理我们提出了一种新的计算机,波粒二象计算机,又称为对偶计算机。在原理上对偶计算机超越了经典的计算机和现有的量子计算机。在对偶计算机中,计算机的波函数被分成若干个子波并使其通过不同的路径,在这些路径上进行不同的量子计算门操作,而后这些子波重新合并产生干涉从而给出计算结果。除了量子计算机具有的量子平行性外,对偶计算机还具有对偶平行性。形象地说,对偶计算机是一台通过多狭缝的运动着的量子计算机,在不同的狭缝进行不同的量子操作,实现对偶平行性。目前已经建立起严格的对偶量子计算机的数学理论,为今后的进一步发展打下了基础。本文着重从物理的角度去综述广义量子干涉原理和对偶计算机。现在的研究已经证明,一台d狭缝的n比特的对偶计算机等同与一个n比特+一个d比特(qudit)的普通量子计算机,证明了对偶计算机具有比量子计算机更强大的能力。这样,我们可以使用一台具有n+log2d个比特的普通量子计算机去模拟一个d狭缝的n比特对偶计算机,省去了研制运动量子计算机的巨大的技术上的障碍。我们把这种量子计算机的运行模式称为对偶计算模式,或简称为对偶模式。利用这一联系反过来可以帮助我们理解广义量子干涉原理,因为在量子计算机中一切计算都是普通的量子力学所允许的量子操作,因此广义量子干涉原理就是普通的量子力学体系所允许的原理,而这个原理只是是在多体量子力学体系中才会表现出来。对偶计算机是一种新式的计算机,里面有许多问题期待研究和发展,同时也充满了机会。在对偶计算机中,除了幺正操作外,还可以允许非幺正操作,几乎包括我们可以想到的任何操作,我们称之为对偶门操作或者广义量子门操作。目前这已经引起了数学家的注意,并给出了广义量子门操作的一些数学性质。此外,利用量子计算机和对偶计算机的联系,可以将许多经典计算机的算法移植到量子计算机中,经过改造成为量子算法。由于对偶计算机中的演化是非幺正的,对偶量子计算机将可能在开放量子力学的体系的研究中起到重要的作用。     

Quantum nanoscience

In this article we discuss the physical principles behind new quantum devices and materials that require some form of nanoscale fabrication. The two systems we discuss are superconducting quantum circuits and nanomechanical resonators. Both systems involve many-body systems of a special kind in which particular collective degrees of freedom can be factored out of the microscopic dynamics and subject to quantum control. We discuss applications to precision metrology.     

Search algorithm on strongly regular graphs based on scattering quantum walks

Janmark, Meyer, and Wong showed that continuous-time quantum walk search on known families of strongly regular graphs(SRGs) with parameters(N, k, λ, μ) achieves full quantum speedup. The problem is reconsidered in terms of scattering quantum walk, a type of discrete-time quantum walks. Here, the search space is confined to a low-dimensional subspace corresponding to the collapsed graph of SRGs. To quantify the algorithm's performance, we leverage the fundamental pairing theorem, a general theory developed by Cottrell for quantum search of structural anomalies in star graphs.The search algorithm on the SRGs with k scales as N satisfies the theorem, and results can be immediately obtained, while search on the SRGs with k scales as√N does not satisfy the theorem, and matrix perturbation theory is used to provide an analysis. Both these cases can be solved in O(√N) time steps with a success probability close to 1. The analytical conclusions are verified by simulation results on two SRGs. These examples show that the formalism on star graphs can be applied more generally.     

时间和相位混合编码的量子密钥分发方案

提出了一种在双马赫-曾德尔干涉仪量子保密通信系统上同时实现时间编码和相位编码的混合量子密钥分发方案.提出的方案将原来相位编码方案中丢弃的脉冲进行时间编码,因此成码率是原方案的二倍.系统同时获得时间编码密钥和相位编码密钥,既可以一组用于通信,另一组用于监视窃听,又可以将两组密钥组合成新密钥.系统具有良好的应用前景. 关键词： 量子保密通信 量子密钥分发 相位编码 时间编码