Chapter 15 extensively examines the resource theory of asymmetry, focusing on the significance of asymmetry as a quantum resource, particularly in situations lacking a shared reference frame. The chapter begins by identifying the foundational elements, such as free states and operations within this theory, emphasizing their role in alignment of quantum reference frames. A significant part of the discussion revolves around the quantification of asymmetry, utilizing measures like the Fisher information and Wigner–Yanase–Dyson skew information to assess the degree of asymmetry in quantum states. The concept of G-twirling is introduced as a method to achieve symmetric states, serving as a key technique in analyzing and understanding asymmetry. Moreover, the chapter explores how asymmetry can enhance tasks like parameter estimation, leveraging the maximum likelihood method to improve precision.

Chapter 6 builds upon the foundation of divergences from Chapter 5, advancing into entropies and relative entropies with an axiomatic approach, and the inclusion of the additivity axiom. The chapter delves into the classical and quantum relative entropies, establishing their core properties and revealing the significance of the KL-divergence introduced in Chapter 5, notably characterized by asymptotic continuity. Quantum relative entropies are addressed as generalizations of classical ones, with a focus on the conditions necessary for these measures in the quantum framework. Several variants of relative entropies are discussed, including Renyi relative entropies and their extensions to quantum domain such as the Petz quantum Renyi divergence, minimal quantum Renyi divergence, and the maximal quantum Renyi divergence. This discourse underlines the relevance of continuity and its relation to faithfulness in relative entropies. The concept of entropy is portrayed as a measure with a broad spectrum of interpretations and applications across fields, from thermodynamics and information theory to cosmology and economics.

Chapter 5 delves into divergences and distance measures, which are crucial for comparing quantum states. It begins with classical divergences such as the Kullback–Leibler and Jensen–Shannon, then advances to their quantum counterparts, discussing their optimal characteristics. Influenced by quantum resource theories, these quantum extensions provide foundational insights into the robust tools of resource theories. The chapter concentrates on particular divergences that serve as true metrics, including the trace distance and a variant of the fidelity, and explores the concept of distance between subnormalized states, which is essential in the context of quantum measurements. It emphasizes the purified distance, a useful tool for understanding the entanglement cost of quantum systems, setting the stage for further exploration in later chapters. The chapter offers a mathematically approachable survey of these measures, underscoring their practical importance in quantum information theory.

This chapter introduces quantum resource theories (QRTs), tracing their evolution and key principles, starting from physics’ quest to unify distinct phenomena into a single framework. It highlights the unification of electricity and magnetism as a pivotal advancement, setting a precedent for QRTs in quantum information science. Quantum resource theories categorize physical system attributes as “resources,” notably transforming the role of quantum entanglement from mere theoretical interest to a crucial element in quantum communication and computation.

The chapter further describes the book’s layout and educational strategy, designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of QRTs. It explores the application of quantum resources in fields like quantum computing and thermodynamics, presenting a unique viewpoint on subjects such as entropy and nonlocality. Emphasizing on axiomatic beginning followed by practical uses, the book serves as a vital resource for both beginners and experts in quantum information science, preparing readers to navigate the complex terrain of QRTs and highlighting their potential to advance quantum science and technology.

Chapter 4 delves into the concept of majorization, an essential mathematical framework critical for understanding the intricate structures within quantum resource theories. At its core, majorization establishes a preorder relationship between probability vectors, revealing a structured approach to compare the dispersion or concentration of probabilistic distributions. The chapter systematically deconstructs majorization into comprehensible segments, incorporating axiomatic, constructive, and operational perspectives. It further explores the mathematical foundations of majorization through an in-depth look at doubly stochastic matrices and T-transforms. Additionally, the chapter examines various forms of majorization, including approximate, relative, trumping, catalytic, and conditional majorization. This exploration not only encompasses the theoretical facets but also offers practical insights derived from games of chance.

Chapter 14 transitions the focus to multipartite entanglement, a realm that broadens the discussion from bipartite systems to those involving multiple parties. This complex form of entanglement plays a crucial role in quantum computing, cryptography, and communication networks. The chapter introduces the foundational concepts of multipartite entanglement, including its characterization and the challenges associated with its classification. Significant attention is given to the classification of multipartite entangled states through SL-invariant polynomials, which provide tools for understanding the structure and properties of these states. Stochastic Local Operations and Classical Communication (SLOCC) are introduced as a means to classify entanglement. Furthermore, the chapter explores the entanglement of assistance and the monogamy of entanglement, two concepts that illustrate the limitations and potential for distributing entanglement among multiple parties. Through detailed explanations and examples in three and four qubits, this chapter offers insights into the intricate world of multipartite entanglement, revealing both its potential and challenges.

Chapter 12 provides an in-depth exploration of pure-state entanglement. It begins with a clear definition of quantum entanglement for pure states, emphasizing its critical role in quantum computing and communication. The chapter highlights various strategies for entanglement manipulation, encompassing deterministic, stochastic, and approximate methods. Quantification of bipartite entanglement is a key focus, with emphasis on entropy of entanglement and the Ky Fan norm-based entanglement monotones. Additionally, the chapter delves into entanglement catalysis and embezzlement of entanglement, presenting them as a nuanced nonintuitive phenomena that underscore the challenges of entanglement preservation during quantum operations. A notable aspect of this chapter is its connection between entanglement theory and the theory of majorization discussed in Chapter 4. Through a comprehensive treatment of these topics, the chapter equips readers with a robust understanding of the intricacies of pure-state entanglement theory.

Chapter 17 delves into quantum thermodynamics, building on the concepts introduced in the resource theory of nonuniformity. This chapter focuses on thermal states and athermality as resources within the quantum domain, emphasizing the significance of Gibbs states and their role in quantum statistical mechanics. It outlines the operational framework for thermal operations, setting the stage for discussions on energy conservation and the second law of thermodynamics in quantum systems. A key aspect of the chapter is the exploration of quasi-classical athermality, illustrating how quantum states deviate from thermal equilibrium when the state of the system commutes with its Hamiltonian. In the fully quantum domain, the chapter introduces closed formulas for quantifying athermality, such as the athermality cost and distillable athermality, both in the single-shot and the asymptotic domains. These measures provide a quantitative understanding of the efficiency of thermal operations and the potential for work extraction or consumption.