Convex Combinations of Pauli Semigroups: Geometry, Measure and an Application

Abstract

Finite-time Markovian channels, unlike their infinitesimal counterparts, do not form a convex set. As a particular instance of this observation, we consider the problem of mixing the three Pauli channels, conservatively assumed to be quantum dynamical semigroups, and fully characterize the resulting ``Pauli simplex.'' We show that neither the set of non-Markovian (completely positive indivisible) nor Markovian channels is convex in the Pauli simplex, and that the measure of non-Markovian channels is about 0.87. All channels in the Pauli simplex are P divisible. A potential application in the context of quantum resource theory is also discussed.