dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaCan one build a quantum hard drive? A no-go theorem for storing quantum information in equilibrium systems
| Authors | Robert Alicki, Michal Horodecki |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | quant-ph/0603260 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0603260 |
Abstract
We prove a no-go theorem for storing quantum information in equilibrium systems. Namely, quantum information cannot be stored in a system with time-independent Hamiltonian interacting with heat bath of temperature $T>0$ during time that grows with the number of used qubits. We prove it by showing, that storing quantum information for macroscopic time would imply existence of perpetuum mobile of the second kind. The general results are illustrated by the Kitaev model of quantum memory. In contrast, classical information can be stored in equilibrium states for arbitrary long times. We show how it is possible via phase-transition type phenomena. Our result shows that there is a fundamental difference between quantum and classical information in {\it physical} terms.
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"date_created": "2026-03-02T18:02:27.223000Z",
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"abstract": "We prove a no-go theorem for storing quantum information in equilibrium\nsystems. Namely, quantum information cannot be stored in a system with\ntime-independent Hamiltonian interacting with heat bath of temperature $T\u003e0$\nduring time that grows with the number of used qubits. We prove it by showing,\nthat storing quantum information for macroscopic time would imply existence of\nperpetuum mobile of the second kind. The general results are illustrated by the\nKitaev model of quantum memory. In contrast, classical information can be\nstored in equilibrium states for arbitrary long times. We show how it is\npossible via phase-transition type phenomena. Our result shows that there is a\nfundamental difference between quantum and classical information in {\\it\nphysical} terms.",
"arxiv_id": "quant-ph/0603260",
"authors": [
"Robert Alicki",
"Michal Horodecki"
],
"categories": [
"quant-ph"
],
"title": "Can one build a quantum hard drive? A no-go theorem for storing quantum information in equilibrium systems",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0603260"
},
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"source": {
"execution_id": "e550627e-6019-4f74-b74c-c7b9118beddc",
"id": "arXiv Dataset IDs",
"type": "Model",
"variant": "snapshot-2026-03-01",
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