Characterizing Entropy in Statistical Physics and in Quantum Information Theory

Abstract: A new axiomatic characterization with a minimum of conditions for entropy as a function on the set of states in quantum mechanics is presented. Traditionally unspoken assumptions are unveiled and replaced by proven consequences of the axioms. First the Boltzmann-Planck formula is derived. Building on this formula, using the Law of Large Numbers - a basic theorem of probability theory - the von Neumann formula is deduced. Axioms used in older theories on the foundations are now derived facts.