Extending Shannon's Ideas: The Evolution of Information in Quantum Mechanics

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on extending Claude Shannon's classical information theory concepts to quantum mechanics (QM). It emphasizes that obtaining information requires work, which correlates with the entropy of the information, quantified as k_B ln(2) for a single bit. The conversation posits that the evolution of mixed states to pure states in QM can be likened to communication processes, suggesting that measurements in QM can be interpreted as computations. The field of Quantum Information Theory is highlighted as a framework for understanding quantum correlations as extensions of classical information channels, with Stephen Barnett's "Quantum Information" recommended as a key resource.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Shannon's Information Theory
  • Familiarity with Quantum Mechanics principles
  • Knowledge of entropy in thermodynamics and information contexts
  • Basic grasp of Quantum Information Theory
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Stephen Barnett's "Quantum Information" for insights on classical and quantum information
  • Explore the relationship between entropy and information in quantum systems
  • Research the implications of quantum measurements as computational processes
  • Investigate the principles of Quantum Information Theory and its applications
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Researchers, physicists, and information theorists interested in the intersection of classical information theory and quantum mechanics, as well as those exploring the computational aspects of quantum measurements.

sirchasm
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I've been trying to extend Shannon's ideas of classical information to QM, and the way information (as events that we measure) evolves, as it were.
Obviously to get information, you have to do work, which is (at least) equivalent to the entropy of the information that's projected, or determined.
For a 'bit' of information this entropy is = [tex]k_B ln(2)[/tex]. Which effectively is the separation of a pure state from a mixed state, in entropy-per-bit terms.

Information in the Shannon model is a result of communication, so surely it's ok to say the mixed state evolves to a pure state, the same way a signal translates or is communicated? In fact it's ok to say a measurement is a computation, or a projection of information (in some dimension)?
So QM systems compute this result, when we 'do the work' of getting the "comms channel" to transmit something in our direction?

This is the informational approach - everything that constitutes information is the result of a communication/computation. Is this pseudoscientific?
 
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Well correlations can be viewed in a Information Theoretic way as an exploitable communications resource. The field of treating Quantum Correlations as generalizations of Classical Information channels is known as Quantum Information Theory.

A good resource is Stephen Barnett's Quantum Information. The introductory chapter is even a nice crash course on Classical Information Theory.
 
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