By exploiting a symmetric scheme for coupling $N$ spin-1/2 constituents (the physical qubits) to states with total angular momentum $N/2-1$, we construct rotationally invariant logical qudits of dimension $d=N-1$. One can encode all qudit states, and realize all qudit measurements, by this construction. The rotational invariance of all relevant objects enables one to transmit quantum information without having aligned reference frames between the parties that exchange the qudits. We illustrate the method by explicit constructions of reference-frame-free qubits and qutrits and, for the qubit case, comment on possible experimental implementations.
We address the problem of unambiguously identifying the state of a probe qudit with the state of one of d reference qudits. The reference states are assumed pure and linearly independent but we have no knowledge of them. The state of the probe qudit is assumed to coincide equally likely with either one of the d unknown reference states. We derive the optimum measurement strategy that maximizes the success probability of unambiguous identification and find that the optimum strategy is a generalized measurement. We give both the measurement operators and the optimum success probability explicitl…
We consider the phase space for a system of $n$ identical qudits (each one of dimension $d$, with $d$ a primer number) as a grid of $d^{n} \times d^{n}$ points and use the finite field $GF(d^{n})$ to label the corresponding axes. The associated displacement operators permit to define $s$-parametrized quasidistribution functions in this grid, with properties analogous to their continuous counterparts. These displacements allow also for the construction of finite coherent states, once a fiducial state is fixed. We take this reference as one eigenstate of the discrete Fourier transform and study …
A linear map of qudit tomogram onto qubit tomogram (qubit portrait) is proposed as a characteristics of the qudit state. Using the qubit portrait method the Bell inequalities for two qubits and two qutrits are discussed in framework of probability representation of quantum mechanics. Semigroup of stochastic matrices is associated with tomographic probability distributions of qubit and qutrit states. Bell-like inequalities are studied using the semigroup of stochastic matrices. The qudit-qubit map of tomographic probability distributions is discussed as ansatz to provide a necessary condition f…
The machinery of qubit-portraits of qudit states, recently presented, is consider here in more details in order to characterize the presence of quantum correlations in bipartite qudit states. In the tomographic representation of quantum mechanics, Bell-like inequalities are interpreted as peculiar properties of a family of classical joint probability distributions which describe the quantum state of two qudits. By means of the qubit-portraits machinery a semigroup of stochastic matrices can be associated to a given quantum state. The violation of the CHSH inequalities is discussed in this fram…
ZX-calculus is graphical language for quantum computing which usually focuses on qubits. In this paper, we generalise qubit ZX-calculus to qudit ZX-calculus in any finite dimension by introducing suitable generators, especially a carefully chosen triangle node. As a consequence we obtain a set of rewriting rules which can be seen as a direct generalisation of qubit rules, and a normal form for any qudit vectors. Based on the qudit ZX-calculi, we propose a graphical formalism called qufinite ZX-calculus as a unified framework for all qudit ZX-calculi, which is universal for finite quantum theor…
Design of a large-scale quantum computer has paramount importance for science and technologies. We investigate a scheme for realization of quantum algorithms using noncomposite quantum systems, i.e., systems without subsystems. In this framework, $n$ artificially allocated "subsystems" play a role of qubits in $n$-qubits quantum algorithms. With focus on two-qubit quantum algorithms, we demonstrate a realization of the universal set of gates using a $d=5$ single qudit state. Manipulation for an ancillary level in the systems allows effective implementation of operators from ${\rm U}(4)$ group …
We extend the spherical code based key distribution protocols to qudits with dimensions 4 and 16 by constructing equiangular frames and their companions. We provide methods for equiangular frames in arbitrary dimensions for Alice to use and the companion frames, that has one antipode to eliminate one of the possibilities, made up of qudits with $N=4,16$ as part of Bob's code. Non-orthogonal bases that form positive operator valued measures can be constructed using the tools of frames (overcomplete bases of a Hilbert space) and here we apply them to key distribution that are robust due to large…
Error correcting codes with a universal set of transversal gates are a desideratum for quantum computing. Such codes, however, are ruled out by the Eastin-Knill theorem. Moreover, the theorem also rules out codes which are covariant with respect to the action of transversal unitary operations forming continuous symmetries. In this work, starting from an arbitrary code, we construct approximate codes which are covariant with respect to the entire group of local unitary gates in dimension $d$, using quantum reference frames. We show that our codes are capable of efficiently correcting different …
We present a method to reconstruct pure spatial qudits of arbitrary dimension $d$, which is based on a point diffraction interferometer. In the proposed scheme, the quantum states are codified in the discretized transverse position of a photon field, once they are sent through an aperture with $d$ slits, and a known background is added to provide a phase reference. To characterize these photonic quantum states, the complete phase wavefront is reconstructed through a phase-shifting technique. Combined with a multipixel detector, the acquisition can be parallelized, and only four interferograms …
The cluster state model for quantum computation [Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 5188] outlines a scheme that allows one to use measurement on a large set of entangled quantum systems in what is known as a cluster state to undertake quantum computations. The model itself and many works dedicated to it involve using entangled qubits. In this paper we consider the issue of using entangled qudits instead. We present a complete framework for cluster state quantum computation using qudits, which not only contains the features of the original qubit model but also contains the new idea of adaptive computation: …
In this study, we develop a semi-analytical framework to solve generalized Jaynes-Tavis-Cummings Hamiltonians describing multi-qudit systems coupled via EM resonators. Besides the multi-level generalization we allow for an arbitrary number of resonators and/or modes, with nonidentical couplings to the qudits. Our method is based on generic excitation-number operators which commute with the respective Hamiltonians in the rotating wave approximation (RWA). The validity of the RWA is assessed explicitly. The formalism enables the study of eigenstates, eigenenergies and corresponding time evolutio…
Reference-Frame-Independent quantum key distribution (RFI-QKD) is known to be robust against slowly varying reference frames. However, other QKD protocols such as BB84 can also provide secrete keys if the speed of the relative motion of the reference frames is slow enough. While there has been a few studies to quantify the speed of the relative motion of the reference frames in RFI- QKD, it is not yet clear if RFI-QKD provides better performance than other QKD protocols under this condition. Here, we analyze and compare the security of RFI-QKD and BB84 protocol in the presence of the relative …
We investigate the transformation rule of a single particle wave-function under a change of reference frame. A postulate is raised, and some fundamental aspects regarding the reference-frame independence of quantum probabilities are explored.
Any quantum communication task requires a common reference frame (i.e. phase, coordinate system). In particular, Quantum Key Distribution requires different bases for preparation and measurements of states which are obviously based on the existence of a common frame of reference. Here we show how QKD can be achieved in the absence of any common frame of reference. We study the coordinate reference frame, where the two parties do not even share a single direction, but the method can be generalized to other general frames of reference, pertaining to other groups of transformations.
Quantum metrology studies quantum strategies which enable us to outperform their classical counterparts. In this framework, the existence of perfect classical reference frames is usually assumed. However, such ideal reference frames might not always be available. The reference frames required in metrology strategies can either degrade or become misaligned during the estimation process. We investigate how the imperfectness of reference frames leads to noise which in general affects the ultimate precision limits in measurement of physical parameters. Moreover, since quantum parameter estimation …
We present two new schemes for quantum teleportation between parties whose local reference frames are misaligned by the action of a compact Lie group G. These schemes require no prior alignment of reference frames and are unaffected by arbitrary changes in reference frame alignment during execution, suiting them to situations of rapid reference frame drift. Our tight scheme yields improved purity compared to standard teleportation, in some cases substantially --- this includes the case of qubit teleportation under arbitrary SU(2) reference frame uncertainty--- while communicating no informatio…
We show that communication without a shared reference frame is possible using entangled states. Both classical and quantum information can be communicated with perfect fidelity without a shared reference frame at a rate that asymptotically approaches one classical bit or one encoded qubit per transmitted qubit. We present an optical scheme to communicate classical bits without a shared reference frame using entangled photon pairs and linear optical Bell state measurements.
We define a new quantity called refbit, which allows one to quantify the resource of sharing a reference frame in quantum communication protocols. By considering both asymptotic and nonasymptotic protocols we find relations between refbits and other communication resources. We also consider the same resources in encoded, reference-frame independent, form. This allows one to rephrase and unify previous work on phase references, reference frames, and superselection rules.
A fully relational quantum theory necessarily requires an account of changes of quantum reference frames, where quantum reference frames are quantum systems relative to which other systems are described. By introducing a relational formalism which identifies coordinate systems with elements of a symmetry group $G$, we define a general operator for reversibly changing between quantum reference frames associated to a group $G$. This generalises the known operator for translations and boosts to arbitrary finite and locally compact groups, including non-Abelian groups. We show under which conditio…
A simple procedure to derive the transformation of a wavefunction under a change of reference frame is applied to some examples and its relation with the transformation of the Hamilton principal function is studied.
In order to communicate information in a quantum network effectively, all network nodes should share a common reference frame. Here, we propose to study how well m nodes in a quantum network can establish a common reference frame from scratch, even though t of them may be arbitrarily faulty. We present a protocol that allows all correctly functioning nodes to agree on a common reference frame as long as not more than t < m/3 nodes are faulty. Our protocol furthermore has the appealing property that it allows any existing two-party protocol for reference frame agreement to be lifted to a protoc…
Quantum experiments usually assume the existence of perfect, classical, reference frames, which allow for the specification of measurement settings (e.g. orientation of the Stern Gerlach magnet in spin measurements) with arbitrary precision. If the reference frames are "bounded" (i.e. quantum systems themselves, having a finite number of degrees of freedom), only limited precision can be attained. Using spin coherent states as bounded reference frames we have found their minimal size needed to violate local realism for entangled spin systems. For composite systems of spin-1/2 particles referen…
We propose that observables in quantum theory are properly understood as representatives of symmetry-invariant quantities relating one system to another, the latter to be called a reference system. We provide a rigorous mathematical language to introduce and study quantum reference systems, showing that the orthodox "absolute" quantities are good representatives of observable relative quantities if the reference state is suitably localised. We use this relational formalism to critique the literature on the relationship between reference frames and superselection rules, settling a long-standing…
In a recent Letter [G. Chiribella et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 120501 (2007)], four protocols were proposed to secretly transmit a reference frame. Here We point out that in these protocols an eavesdropper can change the transmitted reference frame without being detected, which means the consistency of the shared reference frames should be reexamined. The way to check the above consistency is discussed. It is shown that this problem is quite different from that in previous protocols of quantum cryptography.
We investigate the degradation of reference frames, treated as dynamical quantum systems, and quantify their longevity as a resource for performing tasks in quantum information processing. We adopt an operational measure of a reference frame's longevity, namely, the number of measurements that can be made against it with a certain error tolerance. We investigate two distinct types of reference frame: a reference direction, realized by a spin-j system, and a phase reference, realized by an oscillator mode with bounded energy. For both cases, we show that our measure of longevity increases quadr…
Quantum communication without a shared reference frame or the construction of a relational quantum theory requires the notion of a quantum reference frame. We analyze aspects of quantum reference frames associated with non-compact groups, specifically the group of spatial translations and Galilean boosts. We begin by demonstrating how the usually employed group average, used to dispense of the notion of an external reference frame, leads to unphysical states when applied to reference frames associated with non-compact groups. However, we show that this average does lead naturally to a reduced …
We generalize a quantum communication protocol introduced by Bartlett et al. [New. J. Phys. 11, 063013 (2009)] in which two parties communicating do not share a classical reference frame, to the case where changes of their reference frames form a one-dimensional noncompact Lie group. Alice sends to Bob the state $ρ_R \otimes ρ_S$, where $ρ_S$ is the state of the system Alice wishes to communicate and $ρ_R$ is the state of an ancillary system serving as a token of her reference frame. Because Bob is ignorant of the relationship between his reference frame and Alice's, he will describe the state…
A transition of focus from state space to frames of reference and their transformations is argued as being the appropriate setup for ensuring the covariance of physical laws. Such an approach can not only simplify and clarify aspects of General Relativity, but can possibly help in the development of a Grand Unified Theory as well.
An important variable in the 2017 analysis of Lovas and Andai, formally establishing the Hilbert-Schmidt separability probability conjectured by Slater of $\frac{29}{64}$ for the 9-dimensional convex set of two-rebit density matrices, was the ratio ($\varepsilon =\frac{σ_2}{σ_1}$) of the two singular values ($σ_1 \geq σ_2 \geq 0$) of $D_2^{\frac{1}{2}} D_1^{-\frac{1}{2}}$. There, $D_1$ and $D_2$ were the diagonal $2 \times 2$ blocks of a $4 \times 4$ two-rebit density matrix $ρ$. Working within the Lovas-Andai "separability function" ($\tildeχ_d(\varepsilon)$) framework, Slater was able to ver…
We begin by seeking the qubit-qutrit and rebit-retrit counterparts to the now well-established Hilbert-Schmidt separability probabilities for (the 15-dimensional convex set of) two-qubits of $\frac{8}{33} = \frac{2^3}{3 \cdot 11} \approx 0.242424$ and (the 9-dimensional) two-rebits of $\frac{29}{64} =\frac{29}{2^6} \approx 0.453125$. Based in part on extensive numerical computations, we advance the possibilities of a qubit-qutrit value of $\frac{27}{1000} = (\frac{3}{10})^3 =\frac{3^3}{2^3 \cdot 5^3} = 0.027$ and a rebit-retrit one of $\frac{860}{6561} =\frac{2^2 \cdot 5 \cdot 43}{3^8} \approx…
Centre for Quantum Engineering, Research and Education, TCG CREST（量子工程、研究与教育中心，TCG CREST）；Department of Physics, IIT Tirupati（提鲁帕蒂印度理工学院物理系）；Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR)（科学与创新研究学院）
We consider the process of changing reference frames in the case where the reference frames are quantum systems. We find that, as part of this process, decoherence is necessarily induced on any quantum system described relative to these frames. We explore this process with examples involving reference frames for phase and orientation. Quantifying the effect of changing quantum reference frames serves as a first step in developing a relativity principle for theories in which all objects including reference frames are necessarily quantum.
A fermionic operator circuit is a product of fermionic operators of usually different and partially overlapping support. Further elements of fermionic operator circuits (FOCs) are partial traces and partial projections. The presented framework allows for the introduction of fermionic versions of known qudit operator circuits (QUOC), important for the simulation of strongly correlated d-dimensional systems: The multiscale entanglement renormalization ansatz (MERA), tree tensor networks (TTN), projected entangled pair states (PEPS), or their infinite-size versions (iPEPS etc.). After the definit…
In physics, every observation is made with respect to a frame of reference. Although reference frames are usually not considered as degrees of freedom, in all practical situations it is a physical system which constitutes a reference frame. Can a quantum system be considered as a reference frame and, if so, which description would it give of the world? Here, we introduce a general method to quantise reference frame transformations, which generalises the usual reference frame transformation to a "superposition of coordinate transformations". We describe states, measurement, and dynamical evolut…
Quantum reference frames are expected to differ from classical reference frames because they have to implement typical quantum features such as fluctuations and correlations. Here, we show that fluctuations and correlations of reference variables, in particular of time, are restricted by their very nature of being used for reference. Mathematically, this property is implemented by imposing constraints on the system to make sure that reference variables are not physical degrees of freedom. These constraints not only relate physical degrees of freedom to reference variables in order to describe …
Geometric (Schrodinger) quantization of nonrelativistic mechanics with respect to different reference frames is considered. In classical nonrelativistic mechanics, a reference frame is represented by a connection on a configuration space fibered over a time axis. Under quantization, it yields a connection on the quantum algebra of Schrodinger operators. The operators of energy with respect to different reference frames are examined.
