Complete positivity and contextuality of quantum dynamics

Song Cheng, Dongsheng Wang

Published 2013-03-21Version 1

Positivity or the stronger notion of complete positivity, and contextuality are central properties of quantum dynamics. In this work, we demonstrate that a physical unitary-universe dilation model could be employed to characterize the completely positive map, regardless of the initial correlation condition. Particularly, the problem of initial correlation can be resolved by a swap operation. Furthermore, we discuss the physical essence of completely positive map and highlights its limitations. Then we develop the quantum measurement-chain formula beyond the framework of completely positive map in order to describe much broader quantum dynamics, and therein the property of contextuality could be captured via measurement transfer matrix.