Abstract
Classical physics allows for the existence of pairs of absolutely identical systems. Pairwise application of identical measurements to each of those systems always leads to exactly alike results irrespectively of the choice of measurements. Here we ask a question how the picture looks like in the quantum domain. Surprisingly, we get a counterintuitive outcome. Pairwise application of identical (but a priori unknown) measurements cannot always lead to exactly alike results. We interpret this as quantum uniqueness—a feature that has no classical analog.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Horodecki, R., Horodecki, P., Horodecki, M., Horodecki, K.: Quantum entanglement. Rev. Mod. Phys. 81, 865–942 (2009)
Bell, J.S.: On the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen paradox. Physics 1, 195–200 (1964)
Aspect, A., Grangier, P., Roger, G.: Experimental tests of realistic local theories via Bell’s theorem. Phys. Rev. Lett. 47, 460–463 (1982)
Bennett, C.H., Brassard, G., Crépeau, C., Jozsa, R., Peres, A., Wootters, W.K.: Teleporting an unknown quantum state via dual classical and Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen channels. Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 1895–1899 (1993)
Bouwmeester, D., Ekert, A., Zeilinger, A. (eds.): The Physics of Quantum Information: Quantum Cryptography, Quantum Teleportation, Quantum Computation. Springer, New York (2000)
Nielsen, M.A., Chuang, I.L.: Quantum Computation and Quantum Information. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2004)
Bruß, D., Leuchs, G. (eds.): Lectures on Quantum Information. Wiley, Weinheim (2006)
Scarani, V., Bechmann-Pasquinucci, H., Cerf, N.J., Dušek, M., Lütkenhaus, N., Peev, M.: The security of practical quantum key distribution. Rev. Mod. Phys. 81, 1301–1350 (2009)
Wooters, W.K., Zurek, W.H.: A single quantum cannot be cloned. Nature 299, 802–803 (1982)
Dieks, D.: Communication by EPR devices. Phys. Lett. A 92(6), 271–272 (1982)
Gabriel, C., Wittmann, C., Sych, D., Dong, R., Mauerer, W., Andersen, U.L., Marquardt, C., Leuchs, G.: A generator for unique quantum random numbers based on vacuum states. Nat. Photonics 4, 711–715 (2010)
Gisin, N., Popescu, S.: Spin flips and quantum information for antiparallel spins. Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 432–435 (1999)
Cerf, N.J., Iblisdir, S.: Quantum cloning machines with phase-conjugate input modes. Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 247903 (2001)
Sabuncu, M., Andersen, U.L., Leuchs, G.: Experimental demonstration of continuous variable cloning with phase-conjugate inputs. Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 170503 (2007)
Helstrom, C.W.: Quantum Detection and Estimation Theory, Mathematics in Science and Engineering, vol. 123. Academic Press, New York (1976)
Kraus, K.: States, Effects, and Operations, Lecture Notes in Physics, vol. 190. Springer, Berlin (1983)
Sych, D.V., Grishanin, B.A., Zadkov, V.N.: Copying of quantum information by means of a quantum amplifier. Laser Phys. Lett. 3(2), 102–105 (2006)
Sych, D., Leuchs, G.: A complete basis of generalized Bell states. New J. Phys. 11(1), 013006 (2009)
Leuchs, G., Dong, R., Sych, D.: Triplet-like correlation symmetry of continuous variable entangled states. New J. Phys. 11, 113040 (2009)
Acknowledgments
D.S. acknowledges the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for a stipend. We are grateful to Liudmila N. Sych and Luis L. Sanchez-Soto for useful comments.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sych, D., Leuchs, G. Quantum Uniqueness. Found Phys 45, 1613–1619 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-015-9947-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-015-9947-9