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Integrated Information in Relational Quantum Dynamics (RQD)

Quantum Physics 2025-10-31 v2

Abstract

We introduce a quantum integrated-information measure Φ\Phi for multipartite states within the Relational Quantum Dynamics (RQD) framework. Φ(ρ)\Phi(\rho) is defined as the minimum quantum Jensen-Shannon distance between an n-partite density operator ρ\rho and any product state over a bipartition of its subsystems. We prove that its square-root induces a genuine metric on state space and that Φ\Phi is monotonic under all completely positive trace-preserving maps. Restricting the search to bipartitions yields a unique optimal split and a unique closest product state. From this geometric picture we derive a canonical entanglement witness directly tied to Φ\Phi and construct an integration dendrogram that reveals the full hierarchical correlation structure of ρ\rho. We further show that there always exists an "optimal observer"-a channel or basis-that preserves Φ\Phi better than any alternative. Finally, we propose a quantum Markov blanket theorem: the boundary of the optimal bipartition isolates subsystems most effectively. Our framework unites categorical enrichment, convex-geometric methods, and operational tools, forging a concrete bridge between integrated information theory and quantum information science.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2502.12016,
  title  = {Integrated Information in Relational Quantum Dynamics (RQD)},
  author = {Arash Zaghi},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2502.12016},
  year   = {2025}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-28T21:47:30.525Z