2014/10/15 by Lee A. Rozema, Dylan H. Mahler, Alex Hayat +2 · 5 citations
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Computer science #Neural Networks and Reservoir Computing #Open quantum system #Physics #Quantum #Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture #Quantum Information and Cryptography #Quantum algorithm #Quantum computer #Quantum error correction #Quantum information #Quantum mechanics #Quantum network #Quantum state #Quantum technology #Qubit #Theoretical computer science #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.113.160504
published as Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 160504 (2014)
arxiv created 2014/10/15 · openalex publication_date 2014/10/17 · arxiv updated 2014/12/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Data compression is a ubiquitous aspect of modern information technology, and the advent of quantum information raises the question of what types of compression are feasible for quantum data, where it is especially relevant given the extreme difficulty involved in creating reliable quantum memories. We present a protocol in which an ensemble of quantum bits (qubits) can in principle be perfectly compressed into exponentially fewer qubits. We then experimentally implement our algorithm, compressing three photonic qubits into two. This protocol sheds light on the subtle differences between quantum and classical information. Furthermore, since data compression stores all of the available information about the quantum state in fewer physical qubits, it could allow for a vast reduction in the amount of quantum memory required to store a quantum ensemble, making even today's limited quantum memories far more powerful than previously recognized.