Process matrices on generalised theories

Abstract

We extend the process-matrix framework for defining indefinite causal orders to a broad class of generalised physical theories. We give a simple re-axiomatisation of spacetime contexts in terms of naturality over classical probes, which precisely captures non-contextual assignment together with compatibility with convexity and coarse-graining within local laboratories. Using this compositional perspective, we give a clean characterisation of theories in which abstract spacetime contexts admit a process-matrix representation, and we pin down the precise conditions (satisfied by classical theory, quantum theory, and a Boxworld-like theory) under which the supermap and process-matrix perspectives on higher-order processes coincide.