A Survey on Quantum Channel Capacities

TL;DR

This survey reviews the properties and capacity measures of quantum communication channels, highlighting their differences from classical channels and their potential for transmitting classical and quantum information.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of quantum channel capacities, summarizing recent developments and fundamental distinctions from classical communication channels.

Findings

Different capacity definitions for quantum channels

Quantum channels can transmit classical and quantum information

Fundamental differences between classical and quantum channel capacities

Abstract

Quantum information processing exploits the quantum nature of information. It offers fundamentally new solutions in the field of computer science and extends the possibilities to a level that cannot be imagined in classical communication systems. For quantum communication channels, many new capacity definitions were developed in comparison to classical counterparts. A quantum channel can be used to realize classical information transmission or to deliver quantum information, such as quantum entanglement. Here we review the properties of the quantum communication channel, the various capacity measures and the fundamental differences between the classical and quantum channels.