We determine the two-way quantum and secret-key capacities of the pure-loss channel under an average input photon-number constraint. For transmissivity $η$ and photon budget $N$, both capacities equal $g(N)-g((1-η)N)$, where $g$ is the entropy of a thermal state. This coincides with the rate achieved by the known reverse coherent information of a two-mode squeezed vacuum. Our result provides the last missing capacity formula for the celebrated pure-loss channel, completing the picture of bosonic quantum communication under pure loss.

Energy-constrained two-way capacities of the pure-loss channel

Alessandro Falco
;
Francesco Anna Mele;Ludovico Lami;Vittorio Giovannetti
2026

Abstract

We determine the two-way quantum and secret-key capacities of the pure-loss channel under an average input photon-number constraint. For transmissivity $η$ and photon budget $N$, both capacities equal $g(N)-g((1-η)N)$, where $g$ is the entropy of a thermal state. This coincides with the rate achieved by the known reverse coherent information of a two-mode squeezed vacuum. Our result provides the last missing capacity formula for the celebrated pure-loss channel, completing the picture of bosonic quantum communication under pure loss.
2026
Settore PHYS-04/A - Fisica teorica della materia, modelli, metodi matematici e applicazioni
Quantum Physics
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11384/175183
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