Abstract

This is the first in a series of papers aiming to develop a relativistic quantum information theory in terms of unequal -time correlation functions in quantum field theory. In this work, we highlight two formalisms which together can provide a useful theoretical platform suitable for further developments: (1) Quantum field measurements using the Quantum Temporal Probabilities (QTP) method; (2) Closed-Time-Path (CTP) formal-ism for causal time evolutions. QTP incorporates the detector into the quantum description, while emphasizing that the records of measurement are macroscopic and can be expressed in terms of classical spacetime coordinates. We first present a new, el-ementary derivation of the QTP formulas for the probabilities of n measurement events. We then demonstrate the relation of QTP with the Closed-Time-Path formalism, by writing an explicit formula that relates the associated generating functionals. We exploit the path integral representation of the CTP formalism, in order to express the measured probabilities in terms of path integrals. After this, we provide some simple applications of the QTP formalism. In particular, we show how Unruh-DeWitt detector models and Glauber's photodetection theory appear as limiting cases. Finally, with quantum correlation being the pivotal notion in relativistic quantum information and measure-ments, we highlight the role played by the CTP two-particle irreducible effective action which enables one to tap into the resources of non-equilibrium quantum field theory for our stated purpose.

Publication Details
Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2023
Volume
450
Number of Pages
169239
ISSN Number
0003-4916
DOI
10.1016/j.aop.2023.169239
Journal
Annals of Physics
Contributors
Date Published
03/2023