On Nonuniqueness of Quantum Channel for Fixed Input-Output States: Case of Decoherence Channel

Abstract

For a fixed pair of input and output states in the space HA of a system A, a quantum channel, i.e., a linear, completely positive and trace-preserving map, between them is not unique, in general. Here, this point is discussed specifically for a decoherence channel, which maps from a pure input state to a completely decoherent state like the thermal state. In particular, decoherence channels of two different types are analyzed: one is unital and the other is not, and both of them can be constructed through reduction of B in the total extended space HA⊗HB, where HB is the space of an ancillary system B that is a replica of A. The nonuniqueness is seen to have its origin in the unitary symmetry in the extended space. It is shown in an example of a two-qubit system how such symmetry is broken in the objective subspace HA due to entanglement between A and B. A comment is made on possible relevance of the present work to nanothermodynamics in view of quantum Darwinism.