Negative Entropy and Information in Quantum Mechanics
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 nonseparability. The possibility that negative (virtual) information can be carried by entangled particles suggests a consistent interpretation of quantum informational processes.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- December 1997
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.79.5194
- arXiv:
- arXiv:quant-ph/9512022
- Bibcode:
- 1997PhRvL..79.5194C
- Keywords:
-
- Quantum Physics;
- Physics - Atomic Physics
- E-Print:
- 4 pages RevTeX, 2 figures. Expanded discussion of quantum teleportation and superdense coding, and minor corrections. To appear in Phys. Rev. Lett