Quantum theory from quantum information: The purification route

Abstract

Quantum information provided a new angle on the foundations of quantum mechanics, where the emphasis is placed on operational tasks pertaining to information-processing and computation. In this spirit, several authors have proposed that the mathematical structure of quantum theory could (and should) be rebuilt from purely information-theoretic principles. Here we review the particular route proposed by D'Ariano, Perinotti, and one of the authors (Chiribella et al. Phys. Rev. A, 84, 012311 (2011)), with the purpose of giving a synopsis of the informational principles therein, along with a translation of those principles into the mathematical language of standard quantum theory. © 2013 Published by NRC Research Press.