Quantum communication using a quantum switch of quantum switches

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a higher-order quantum switch composed of quantum switches in superposition can enable error-free qubit transmission with higher probability than individual switches, showcasing a novel quantum communication advantage.

Contribution

It introduces a higher-order quantum switch of quantum switches and proves its ability to outperform individual switches in one-shot qubit communication tasks.

Findings

Superposition of switch orders enhances qubit transmission probability.

Quantum switches can outperform individual switches in certain scenarios.

No advantage in some cases where switches are useless.

Abstract

The quantum switch describes a quantum operation in which two or more quantum channels act on a quantum system with the order of application determined by the state of an order quantum system. And by suitably choosing the state of the order system, one can create a quantum superposition of the different orders of application, which can perform communication tasks impossible within the framework of the standard quantum Shannon theory. In this paper, we consider the scenario of one-shot heralded qubit communication and ask whether there exist protocols using a given quantum switch or switches that could outperform the given ones. We answer this question in the affirmative. We define a higher-order quantum switch composed of two quantum switches, with their order of application controlled by another order quantum system. We then show that the quantum switches placed in a quantum superposition of their alternative orders can transmit a qubit, without any error, with a probability higher than that achievable with the quantum switches individually. We demonstrate this communication advantage over quantum switches useful as a resource and those that are useless. We also show that there are situations where there is no communication advantage over the individual quantum switches.