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Quantum information cannot be completely hidden in correlations: implications for the black-hole information paradox
Samuel L Braunstein1, Arun K Pati
1Computer Science, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom.
Physical Review Letters
|March 16, 2007
Summary
Quantum-information theory intensifies the black-hole information paradox by entangling in-fallen matter with external systems. This suggests either quantum unitarity or Hawking
Area of Science:
- Theoretical physics
- Quantum information theory
- Black hole thermodynamics
Background:
- The black-hole information paradox questions the fate of information that falls into black holes.
- Hawking radiation suggests black holes evaporate, potentially destroying information.
- Quantum information theory provides tools to analyze information flow in quantum systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether quantum-information theory can resolve the black-hole information paradox.
- To explore the implications of entangling black hole interior states with external systems.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing quantum-information theory principles.
- Modeling the entanglement between in-fallen matter and an external system.
- Analyzing correlations between Hawking radiation and black hole internal states.
Main Results:
- Entangling in-fallen matter with an external system exacerbates the black-hole information paradox.
- Information is unlikely to be hidden in correlations between Hawking radiation and internal black hole states.
- The paradox remains severe even for cosmologically sized black holes.
Conclusions:
- The study rules out a common proposed resolution to the information paradox.
- Either the principle of unitarity or Hawking's semiclassical predictions for black hole evaporation must be revised.
- Resolving the black-hole information crisis necessitates a breakdown in either unitarity or semiclassical physics.
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