Preparation information and optimal decompositions for mixed quantum states

Abstract

Consider a joint quantum state of a system and its environment. A measurement on the environment induces a decomposition of the system state. Using algorithmic information theory, we define the preparation information of a pure or mixed state in a given decomposition. We then define an optimal decomposition as a decomposition for which the average preparation information is minimal. The average preparation information for an optimal decomposition characterizes the system–environment correlations. We discuss properties and applications of the concepts introduced above and give several examples.