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arXiv:quant-ph/9512022quant-ph

Negative entropy and information in quantum mechanics

N. J. Cerf, C. Adami

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Abstract

A framework for a quantum mechanical information theory is introduced that is based entirely on density operators, and gives rise to a unified description of classical correlation and quantum entanglement. Unlike in classical (Shannon) information theory, quantum (von Neumann) conditional entropies can be negative when considering quantum entangled systems, a fact related to quantum non-separability. The possibility that negative (virtual) information can be carried by entangled particles suggests a consistent interpretation of quantum informational processes.

arXiv comments
4 pages RevTeX, 2 figures. Expanded discussion of quantum teleportation and superdense coding, and minor corrections. To appear in Phys. Rev. Lett
Journal reference
Phys.Rev.Lett. 79 (1997) 5194
DOI
doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.79.5194
Subjects
quant-phQuantum Physics physics.atom-phAtomic Physics

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  1. Relational Quantum Mechanics 1 comment

    • Gotta put in a plug for QIT, which is very similar, but I think a little easier to understand: https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/9512022 and a more accessible version that I wrote a long time ago: https://flownet.com/ron/QM.pdf

      lisperView on HNParent context

  2. Emergence of a second law of thermodynamics in isolated quantum systems 1 comment

    • > Even for isolated systems where, in principle, we could have zero surprisal and access to all possible information... This makes no sense. How could you have access to "all possible information" in an isolated system? You obviously can't make any measurements, and if the…

      lisperView on HNParent context

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