English

Hilbert's projective metric in quantum information theory

Mathematical Physics 2011-08-16 v2 math.MP Quantum Physics

Abstract

We introduce and apply Hilbert's projective metric in the context of quantum information theory. The metric is induced by convex cones such as the sets of positive, separable or PPT operators. It provides bounds on measures for statistical distinguishability of quantum states and on the decrease of entanglement under LOCC protocols or other cone-preserving operations. The results are formulated in terms of general cones and base norms and lead to contractivity bounds for quantum channels, for instance improving Ruskai's trace-norm contraction inequality. A new duality between distinguishability measures and base norms is provided. For two given pairs of quantum states we show that the contraction of Hilbert's projective metric is necessary and sufficient for the existence of a probabilistic quantum operation that maps one pair onto the other. Inequalities between Hilbert's projective metric and the Chernoff bound, the fidelity and various norms are proven.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1102.5170,
  title  = {Hilbert's projective metric in quantum information theory},
  author = {David Reeb and Michael J. Kastoryano and Michael M. Wolf},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1102.5170},
  year   = {2011}
}

Comments

32 pages including 3 appendices and 3 figures; v2: minor changes, published version

R2 v1 2026-06-21T17:31:39.609Z