Are there any applications of quantum information theory to physics?
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$\begingroup$ I guess they have similar mathematical structures. That's all. But let's see what the experts say about this. $\endgroup$ – user1355 Feb 23 '11 at 10:52
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$\begingroup$ Only that information underlies all of physics, including that of black holes ;) $\endgroup$ – user346 Feb 23 '11 at 12:42
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$\begingroup$ @Deepak: I thought physics underlies all of information. So there, we have a proof of equivalence :) $\endgroup$ – Marek Feb 23 '11 at 16:34
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1$\begingroup$ The "What do you think" part of your question was just an invitation to discussion, not an actual question, so I removed it. You can re-edit if you can make a more specific phrasing: ask a specific question that can be answered, don't just solicit people's opinions. $\endgroup$ – David Z♦ Feb 23 '11 at 17:22
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1$\begingroup$ I published a paper applying the quantum information idea "mutually unbiased bases" to the problem of understanding the relationship between spin and the generations of elementary particles, see arxiv.org/abs/1006.3114 So my own opinion is that there is a relationship. In general, physics has advanced partly by improvements in the theoretical understanding of fundamental ideas and partly by experiments which cause the rejection of previously held beliefs. $\endgroup$ – Carl Brannen Feb 24 '11 at 1:00
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There's a huge body of literature in applying ideas from quantum information to the study of strongly interacting many body systems. If I have time I'll edit this answer with my own personal review (primarily all of the lovely simulation techniques that QIT has given a solid physical and conceptual foundation to) but as a jumping off point, there is a set of lecture notes with excellent references here.
