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Classical and quantum reverse processes through Bayesian inference

delete2026-01-01
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PRE
AI
C
Clive Cenxin Aw *
DOI:10.1142/S0219749925300049delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Reversibility lies at the heart of physics and information theory, linking entropy, efficiency and information recovery. Yet, definitions of a reverse process have been context-specific, relying on physical assumptions rather than a general framework. This thesis develops a universal recipe for reverse processes using Bayesian inference, formalized through Bayes' rule and the Petz recovery map. We first show how these tools recover conventional notions of reversal while yielding new insights, and justify the Petz transpose as the quantum analog of Bayes' rule via quasiprobability representations. We then compare Bayesian reversibility with dilation-based approaches, proving their equivalence through the role of correlations. This motivates the notion of tabletop time-reversible processes, special cases where correlations can be neglected with respect to reversal. Beyond the core results, we apply these methods to fluctuation relations, quantum thermal operations, and the Loschmidt paradox, and reflect on implications for the philosophy of time. In sum, Bayesian inference provides a regime-independent foundation for defining and analyzing (ir)reversibility across physics and information theory.
Keywords:
Irreversibility
quantum information
Bayesian inference
time-reversal symmetry
quasiprobability
statistical physics
foundations of physics

Journal

International Journal of Quantum Information cover
International Journal of Quantum Information
IF:
0.8
Papers:
54
Citations:
1.3K

Organization

N
National University of Singapore
Scholars:
7.5W
Papers: 6.4W
Citations: 11.4W