Transformations in quantum networks via local operations assisted by finitely many rounds of classical communication


Abstract in English

Recent advances have lead towards first prototypes of a quantum internet in which entanglement is distributed by sources producing bipartite entangled states with high fidelities. This raises the question which states can be generated in quantum networks based on bipartite sources using local operations and classical communication. In this work we study state transformations under finite rounds of local operations and classical communication in networks based on maximally entangled two-qubit states. We first derive the symmetries for arbitrary network structures as these determine which transformations are possible. Then we show that contrary to tree graphs for which it has already been shown that any state within the same entanglement class can be reached there exist states which can be reached probabilistically but not deterministically if the network contains a cycle. Furthermore, we provide a systematic way to determine states which are not reachable in networks consisting of a cycle. Moreover, we provide a complete characterization of the states which can be reached in a cycle network with a protocol where each party measures only once and each step of the protocol results in a deterministic transformation. Finally, we present an example which cannot be reached with such a simple protocol.

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