Not signed in (Sign In)

Not signed in

Want to take part in these discussions? Sign in if you have an account, or apply for one below

  • Sign in using OpenID

Site Tag Cloud

2-category 2-category-theory abelian-categories adjoint algebra algebraic algebraic-geometry algebraic-topology analysis analytic-geometry arithmetic arithmetic-geometry book bundles calculus categorical categories category category-theory chern-weil-theory cohesion cohesive-homotopy-type-theory cohomology colimits combinatorics comma complex complex-geometry computable-mathematics computer-science constructive cosmology deformation-theory descent diagrams differential differential-cohomology differential-equations differential-geometry digraphs duality elliptic-cohomology enriched fibration finite foundation foundations functional-analysis functor gauge-theory gebra geometric-quantization geometry graph graphs gravity grothendieck group group-theory harmonic-analysis higher higher-algebra higher-category-theory higher-differential-geometry higher-geometry higher-lie-theory higher-topos-theory homological homological-algebra homotopy homotopy-theory homotopy-type-theory index-theory integration integration-theory k-theory lie-theory limits linear linear-algebra locale localization logic mathematics measure-theory modal modal-logic model model-category-theory monad monads monoidal monoidal-category-theory morphism motives motivic-cohomology nlab noncommutative noncommutative-geometry number-theory of operads operator operator-algebra order-theory pages pasting philosophy physics pro-object probability probability-theory quantization quantum quantum-field quantum-field-theory quantum-mechanics quantum-physics quantum-theory question representation representation-theory riemannian-geometry scheme schemes set set-theory sheaf simplicial space spin-geometry stable-homotopy-theory stack string string-theory superalgebra supergeometry svg symplectic-geometry synthetic-differential-geometry terminology theory topology topos topos-theory tqft type type-theory universal variational-calculus

Vanilla 1.1.10 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.

Welcome to nForum
If you want to take part in these discussions either sign in now (if you have an account), apply for one now (if you don't).
    • CommentRowNumber1.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2010

    I see that Ian Durham created quantum channel

    • CommentRowNumber2.
    • CommentAuthorHarry Gindi
    • CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2010

    Is that a real thing?

    • CommentRowNumber3.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2010

    Is that a real thing?

    I am not into quantum computation. What I can see is that there is a wikipedia article on "quantum channels" which looks like it may have been in the vicinity when the nLab entry here was created.

    But I see room for improvement. Also of the Wikipedia entry, for that matter. But I won't spend time on this now...

    • CommentRowNumber4.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2010

    Ian Durham is asking for help here on MO

    • CommentRowNumber5.
    • CommentAuthorzskoda
    • CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2010

    I studied these operators in 1991 in relation to multichannel dissipative processes in atomic and nuclear physics. There is nice non-hermitean perturbation theory in terms of matrix of channel operators. Now it is too far away in my fading memory to be able to contribute at the spot. The only thing is that it should not emphasis like a fad from quantum computation as it was extensively used in other parts of physics decades earlier than quantum computation fad.

    • CommentRowNumber6.
    • CommentAuthorHarry Gindi
    • CommentTimeFeb 24th 2010

    Does anybody else agree that the beginning paragraph makes no sense?

    • CommentRowNumber7.
    • CommentAuthorDavidRoberts
    • CommentTimeFeb 24th 2010
    I think the intent is that it is an arrow in a category with Hilbert spaces for objects, and the proof that there is such a category is later down the page. It really should be reworded, but perhaps via the gentle prodding of a comment box.
    • CommentRowNumber8.
    • CommentAuthorDavidRoberts
    • CommentTimeFeb 24th 2010
    • (edited Feb 24th 2010)
    Added the comments I outlined, and a (hopefully defusing) recommendation about the current focus of the page on quantum information theory. As much as the words 'multidisciplinary paradigm' irk me, we are after all very much into this concept -- only with a categorical point of view.

    Edit: Also a comment on thinking of maps of algebras as maps 'from C to itself'
    • CommentRowNumber9.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeFeb 24th 2010
    • (edited Feb 24th 2010)

    ...

    • CommentRowNumber10.
    • CommentAuthorHarry Gindi
    • CommentTimeFeb 24th 2010

    @Urs: I agree.

    • CommentRowNumber11.
    • CommentAuthorHarry Gindi
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    I object, your honor! This article is a travesty. It's a travesty of a mockery of a sham of a mockery of a travesty of two mockeries of a sham.

    • CommentRowNumber12.
    • CommentAuthorDavidRoberts
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    Well we can think about it in two ways: An opportunity to uncover some new mathematics by scraping away the dross, or as something to dismiss as mucky. If it can be salvaged, I prefer the former, hence my efforts there. If we have one physicist curious about category theory and willing to try, then perhaps there will be more. Of course, we still have the lesson of one JA in the back of our collective mind - this wiki does have a specific purpose and that is not to be an open book for anyone to write whatever pops into their head.

    • CommentRowNumber13.
    • CommentAuthorHarry Gindi
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    I claim that Ian does not have a formidable enough grasp of mathematics to be able to write this article coherently. See this discussion on meta.MO.

    • CommentRowNumber14.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010
    • (edited Feb 25th 2010)

    Harry, thanks for that link, that is illuminating.

    I really don't have time to look into this. From Zoran's comment I gathered that in principle the notion of "quantum channel" exists in standard accepted literature and makes sense -- even if the present nLab article on it is in need of serious improvement.

    If so then we should try to eventually have a decent blog entry on it, with due comments on the value of the concept.

    To the extent, however, that the entry tries to sell doubtful concepts in JA-manner, we should try to remove these, with due discussion to be sure that those who can claim to grasp the issues at hand agree.

    • CommentRowNumber15.
    • CommentAuthorDavidRoberts
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010
    • (edited Feb 25th 2010)

    Hmm. ok.

    It'll work out better then if he doesn't write it on his own :) (Zoran seems to have some familiarity, which may help)

    I'll take any further developments on quantum channels with a grain of salt, but do note that there are others on the wiki who like to play around with basic notions, without getting them right the first time. Ian Durham doesn't appear to be about to start adding profuse, pun-laden references out of tone with the lab all over the place, so I vote for letting things grow a bit organically, but with a gentle and firm guiding hand. Think of it as extracting the facts from a reticent child, and helping them to realise where they went wrong. (and don't worry, Harry, I'm not some sort of Buddhist monk. I've been riled on internet forums before and I know it does noone any good, even the poster)

    Let us also not bring the debate from meta.MO here.

    • CommentRowNumber16.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    Yes, so in fact I want to stress that there is absolutely no demand here that contributors make perfect contributions. Of course we all don't, and most of all nLab entries are very imperfect. The whole point of the undertaking here is to build something decent by incremental improvement.

    Better a bad entry on an interesting subject than no entry.

    • CommentRowNumber17.
    • CommentAuthorTodd_Trimble
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    Speaking of gentle and firm guiding hands -- too bad Toby hasn't been much heard from recently!

    • CommentRowNumber18.
    • CommentAuthorHarry Gindi
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    What does JA stand for?

    • CommentRowNumber19.
    • CommentAuthorDavidRoberts
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    A user who was individualistic to the point of distraction, and rather fixed in their idiosyncratic ideas, in this collaborative enterprise. The nLab does have a statement of purpose (of sorts) on the front page for a purpose. :)

    • CommentRowNumber20.
    • CommentAuthorHarry Gindi
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    Is it short for "jackass"?

    • CommentRowNumber21.
    • CommentAuthorDavidRoberts
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    No. But let us leave the matter there.

    • CommentRowNumber22.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    too bad Toby hasn't been much heard from recently!

    Yes, but did you see his annoncement that he would be less active for a while?

    • CommentRowNumber23.
    • CommentAuthorHarry Gindi
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010
    • (edited Feb 25th 2010)

    Anybody else find this line classic:

    "The following is a proof that a quantum channel is a category. The proof actually proves it is a monoid, but the need for it to be a category becomes more clear when we start dealing with these things en masse."?

    • CommentRowNumber24.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    Harry, as we tried to indicate gently before: rest assured that you are not alone in finding the entry suboptimal.

    I have to say, though, that I am not happy with lots of criticism being voiced on the forum about an entry, without the person voicing the criticism taking steps to improve the given entry! This is unconstructive. You are trying to make us do something instead of doing it yourself.

    Go to that entry, hit "edit" and fix all the formulations and statements that are broken. When you have done that, come back here and report on what you did. That would be very much appreciated.

    • CommentRowNumber25.
    • CommentAuthorTodd_Trimble
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    Acting on Urs's urging, I have tried to lay down for Ian's benefit some basic precepts in writing articles such as quantum channel. (Despite that heated exchange between Ian and others at MO, he doesn't seem to be completely unreasonable or closed to advice.)

    • CommentRowNumber26.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010
    • (edited Feb 25th 2010)

    Thanks, Todd, that looks like very good advice.

    I am thinking maybe that the best thing to do would be if somebody who knows what people mean by "quantum channel" just puts in the correct definition and the relevant discussion, so that we can move most of what currently fills the entry into a discussion section.

    If anyone can point me to an authorative reference on the notion of quantum channels?.

    • CommentRowNumber27.
    • CommentAuthorzskoda
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010
    • (edited Feb 25th 2010)

    I do not understand Ian Durham defending his viewpoint that quantum channel has to be limite dto information applications, if the notion of multichannel processes in nuclear physics predates this in quantum physics. Especially look for multichannel decay.

    • CommentRowNumber28.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    Okay, I have now seen the original article that introduces the notion:

    Choi, Completely positive linear maps on complex matrices, Linear Algebra and its Applications Volume 10, Issue 3, June 1975, Pages 285-290

    This is a readable one.

    This states theorems about linear maps between vector spaces of finite dimensional complex matrices. We should start the entry with that and postpone any discussion of the extension of this to more general spaces of operators on Hilbert spaces to later sections.

    • CommentRowNumber29.
    • CommentAuthorTodd_Trimble
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    Thanks, Urs. Before I saw that, I put down more questions and advice for Ian to consider, mentioning for instance that the regulars don't smile upon islands of isolated activity scattered in the nLab (recall JA), and advising to become better acquainted with what others here are doing and fitting in somehow. You in particular have other ways to spend your time!

    • CommentRowNumber30.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    I wrote a new version of the entry: quantum channel

    The previous version is still at the bottom.

    • CommentRowNumber31.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

    by the way:

    as far as I can see, the main point that Ian Durham apparently wanted to make, that quantum channels form a category -- a subcategory of Vect if we restrict to systems with finitely many degrees of freedom -- is perfectly valid and a sensible point to make. (It is however also trivially true, there is nothing non-trivial to prove here.)

    I see that the standard physics literature doesn't make that point. But I suppose if we asked Bob Coecke about this, he would be well familiar with it and be able to tell us a bigger story.

    • CommentRowNumber32.
    • CommentAuthorIan_Durham
    • CommentTimeFeb 26th 2010
    I would like to thank everyone who has helped to make this entry considerably better, and Urs and David in particular for their immense effort and encouraging comments respectively. I have had a frustrating year working on this and you guys have restored a bit of my faith in people (sorry, it's been a very, very long day and my house is on the verge of floating away in a storm).

    Anyway, as for Bob Coecke, I think I talked him into putting one of his PhD students to work adding categorical quantum mechanics stuff to nLab. He, incidentally, had seen several versions of my work on this but was just too busy to get back to me on early drafts (he had 15 PhD students at one point!).

    So, again, thank you.
    • CommentRowNumber33.
    • CommentAuthorDavidRoberts
    • CommentTimeFeb 26th 2010

    You're welcome. Coming from a physics background originally, I like to see category theory put to good use in all things quantum, even if my own predilection is hopelessly abstract, so I'm glad some of Coecke's stuff could fill out our physics side of things.

    • CommentRowNumber34.
    • CommentAuthorTodd_Trimble
    • CommentTimeFeb 26th 2010

    I wrote back to Ian some clarification in a query box.

    • CommentRowNumber35.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeMar 9th 2010
    • (edited Mar 9th 2010)

    added to quantum channel references on the description in terms of dagger-categories by Selinger, Coecke and others, kindly provided tonight by ob Coecke himself.

    • CommentRowNumber36.
    • CommentAuthorIan_Durham
    • CommentTimeMar 9th 2010
    Cool, thanks. I have some other stuff from Bob that I'll put up at some point (some dude name Tim Trenson, who I guess is an animator, left "algebraic graffiti" on Bob's whiteboard today - something to do with Frobenius algebras and an inappropriate picture...).
    • CommentRowNumber37.
    • CommentAuthorUrs
    • CommentTimeMar 9th 2010

    left "algebraic graffiti" on Bob's whiteboard today - something to do with Frobenius algebras and an inappropriate picture...).

    I believe I have seen that earlier today...