Diversity and Multiplexing in Quantum MIMO Channels

Abstract: Characterization and exploitation of multiple channels between the transmitter and the receiver in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications brought a paradigm shift in classical communication systems. The techniques developed around MIMO communication systems not only brought unprecedented advancements in the communication rates but also substantially improved the reliability of communication, measured by low error rates. Here, we explore the same ideas in the paradigm of quantum MIMO communication. Specifically, we utilize approximate quantum cloning to transmit multiple copies of the same quantum state over a MIMO channel that incorporates crosstalk, losses, and depolarizing noise. With this strategy, we find an achievable tradeoff between the average fidelity and communication rate over this MIMO setup.