Multifold behavior of the information transmission by the quantum 3-switch

Abstract: We uncover new behaviors of the transmission of information by three quantum channels in superposition of causal orders subject to some level of noise. We find that the transmission can exhibit three different behaviors as the level of noise is varied. This multifold behavior can be explained by the different equivalence classes of quantum switch matrices related to specific combinations of causal orders. We classify these matrices using their characteristic polynomials and matrix invariants, and we calculate analytical expressions for the Holevo information in three representative cases. Our results are a step forward to understand and harness quantum control of causal orders with different levels of noise. We also study the Holevo information as function of a continuous order parameter and analyse transitions at integer values.