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Lean 4Quantum InformationFormal MethodsMathlib

Quantum Information

Verifiable foundations for quantum information science

Quantum information theory is the foundation of quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum communication. Proofs in this field weave together results from spectral theory, analysis, and probability in ways that are notoriously difficult to verify by hand. We are building a broad formalization of this field in Lean 4, covering density operators, quantum channels, von Neumann entropy, and cryptographic protocols as reusable verified infrastructure. Our approach is end-to-end rather than piecemeal: we build from eigenvalue perturbation theory and classical entropy through quantum mechanics and information theory, all the way up to security proofs for real protocols like BB84 quantum key distribution.

The Problem

Why Formalize Quantum Information?

Quantum information proofs combine operator algebra, entropy inequalities, and probabilistic arguments at a level of complexity where errors are easy to introduce and hard to catch. Formalizing these results demands substantial infrastructure — spectral theory, trace norms, CPTP maps, partial traces — that does not yet exist in standard proof libraries.

Methodology

Building in Layers

Mathematical Foundations

Weyl and Ky Fan eigenvalue inequalities, classical Shannon entropy, concentration bounds.

Quantum Mechanics

Density operators, CPTP channels, partial traces.

Information Theory

Von Neumann entropy, Fannes inequality, Fuchs-van de Graaf inequality.

Protocol Security

BB84 key distribution, CSS error-correcting codes.

Current Status

Key Sorry-Free Results

35,500+ lines of formalized mathematics spanning spectral theory through protocol security.

Weyl eigenvalue perturbation inequalities
Ky Fan maximum principle
Fannes inequality for von Neumann entropy continuity
Fuchs-van de Graaf inequality
BB84 key distribution security including CSS error correction