Coupling Structure Determines Communication Regimes in Discrete Quantum Convolutional Channels

Abstract:We study the recently developed theory of quantum convolution for discrete-variable quantum systems. We classify the discrete quantum convolutional channels generated by an invertible $2\times2$ coupling matrix and a fixed environmental state according to which entries of the coupling ma- trix vanish. Under role-preserving basis relabelings, matrices with all four entries nonzero form $d-2$ canonical cross-ratio classes, whereas matrices with exactly one vanishing entry split into four inequivalent branches. We determine the optimized one-shot Holevo information and the classical, quantum, and private capacities for all four one-entry-vanishing branches. If a diago- nal entry vanishes, the channel is an entanglement-breaking measure-and-prepare orbit channel: its classical capacity equals a relative entropy coherence of the environmental state, whereas its quantum and private capacities vanish. If an off-diagonal entry vanishes, the channel is a degradable generalized-dephasing channel: one complete orthonormal basis is transmitted without error, whereas the quantum and private capacities are determined by the entropy deficit of the environ-ental state after dephasing in the conjugate basis. Thus, the position of a single vanishing entry selects two qualitatively different communication regimes. When all four entries are nonzero, the channels are irreducibly Weyl covariant, reducing the classical-capacity problem to a regularized minimum-output-entropy problem. For the unique fully nonzero coupling class in the single-qutrit case, we further derive an exact Holevo formula for a depolarized one-parameter family and identify its entanglement-breaking threshold.

arXiv:2609.16200 [quant-ph]

(or arXiv:2609.16200v1 [quant-ph] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2609.16200 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.