English

A Formalization of the Generalized Quantum Stein's Lemma in Lean

Quantum Physics 2025-10-13 v1 Logic in Computer Science

Abstract

The Generalized Quantum Stein's Lemma is a theorem in quantum hypothesis testing that provides an operational meaning to the relative entropy within the context of quantum resource theories. Its original proof was found to have a gap, which led to a search for a corrected proof. We formalize the proof presented in [Hayashi and Yamasaki (2024)] in the Lean interactive theorem prover. This is the most technically demanding theorem in physics with a computer-verified proof to date, building with a variety of intermediate results from topology, analysis, and operator algebra. In the process, we rectified minor imprecisions in [HY24]'s proof that formalization forces us to confront, and refine a more precise definition of quantum resource theory. Formalizing this theorem has ensured that our Lean-QuantumInfo library, which otherwise has begun to encompass a variety of topics from quantum information, includes a robust foundation suitable for a larger collaborative program of formalizing quantum theory more broadly.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2510.08672,
  title  = {A Formalization of the Generalized Quantum Stein's Lemma in Lean},
  author = {Alex Meiburg and Leonardo A. Lessa and Rodolfo R. Soldati},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.08672},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

20 pages, 2 figures, 7 code listings