An Instability of the Quantum Markov Length

Abstract:The Markov length, the length scale governing the exponential decay of conditional mutual information (CMI) in a quantum many-body state, has proven useful for characterizing mixed-state phases of matter. Nevertheless, we show that a state's Markov length is not generally stable under weak local channels. The failure of stability occurs already at a pure product state. We demonstrate this explicitly in a one-dimensional fermionic chain, where a fine-tuned depth-two circuit of nearest-neighbor Gaussian channels maps the vacuum to a state whose CMI decays \emph{algebraically} and whose Markov length is therefore infinite, even when the channels are taken arbitrarily close to the identity. The algebraic decay is rooted in the nonanalyticity of the von Neumann entropy at rank-deficient density operators. We exhibit an analogous instability on an ordinary qubit chain. More generally, we show that the Markov length is unstable in any translation-invariant state with even a single rank-deficient reduced density operator. These results pose a challenge to recent definitions of mixed-state phase equivalence based on the Markov length.

Quantum Physics (quant-ph); Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech)

arXiv:2610.12929 [quant-ph]

(or arXiv:2610.12929v1 [quant-ph] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2610.12929 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)

arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website.

Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them.

Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs.