Thermalizing Quantum Machines: Dissipation and Entanglement

2001/10/31 by Valerio Scarani, Mario Ziman, Mário Ziman +5 · 6 citations
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics #Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture #Quantum Information and Cryptography #quant-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.88.097905

published as Phys. Rev. Lett., 88 (2002) 097905 · 4 pages, 1 figure

arxiv created 2002/02/01 · openalex publication_date 2002/02/19 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

We study the relaxation of a quantum system towards the thermal equilibrium using tools developed within the context of quantum information theory. We consider a model in which the system is a qubit, and reaches equilibrium after several successive two-qubit interactions (thermalizing machines) with qubits of a reservoir. We characterize completely the family of thermalizing machines. The model shows a tight link between dissipation, fluctuations, and the maximal entanglement that can be generated by the machines. The interplay of quantum and classical information processes that give rise to practical irreversibility is discussed.

Citations

• Entanglement of Formation of an Arbitrary State of Two Qubits

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