$k$-Positive Maps: New Characterizations and a Generation Method

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Main Authors: Ende, Frederik vom, Khatri, Sumeet, Denisov, Sergey
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Ende, Frederik vom
Khatri, Sumeet
Denisov, Sergey
author_facet Ende, Frederik vom
Khatri, Sumeet
Denisov, Sergey
contents We study $k$-positive linear maps on matrix algebras and address two problems, (i) characterizations of $k$-positivity and (ii) generation of non-decomposable $k$-positive maps. On the characterization side, we derive optimization-based conditions equivalent to $k$-positivity that (a) reduce to a simple check when $k=d$, (b) reveal a direct link to the spectral norm of certain order-3 tensors (aligning with known NP-hardness barriers for $k<d$), and (c) recast $k$-positivity as a novel optimization problem over separable states, thereby connecting it explicitly to separability testing. On the generation side, we introduce a Lie-semigroup-based method that, starting from a single $k$-positive map, produces one-parameter families that remain $k$-positive and non-decomposable for small enough times. We illustrate this by generating such families for $d=3$ and $d=4$. We also formulate a semi-definite program (SDP) to test an equivalent form of the positive partial transpose (PPT) square conjecture (and do not find any violation of the latter). Our results provide practical computational tools for certifying $k$-positivity and a systematic way to sample $k$-positive non-decomposable maps.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_21348
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle $k$-Positive Maps: New Characterizations and a Generation Method
Ende, Frederik vom
Khatri, Sumeet
Denisov, Sergey
Quantum Physics
Mathematical Physics
Rings and Algebras
We study $k$-positive linear maps on matrix algebras and address two problems, (i) characterizations of $k$-positivity and (ii) generation of non-decomposable $k$-positive maps. On the characterization side, we derive optimization-based conditions equivalent to $k$-positivity that (a) reduce to a simple check when $k=d$, (b) reveal a direct link to the spectral norm of certain order-3 tensors (aligning with known NP-hardness barriers for $k<d$), and (c) recast $k$-positivity as a novel optimization problem over separable states, thereby connecting it explicitly to separability testing. On the generation side, we introduce a Lie-semigroup-based method that, starting from a single $k$-positive map, produces one-parameter families that remain $k$-positive and non-decomposable for small enough times. We illustrate this by generating such families for $d=3$ and $d=4$. We also formulate a semi-definite program (SDP) to test an equivalent form of the positive partial transpose (PPT) square conjecture (and do not find any violation of the latter). Our results provide practical computational tools for certifying $k$-positivity and a systematic way to sample $k$-positive non-decomposable maps.
title $k$-Positive Maps: New Characterizations and a Generation Method
topic Quantum Physics
Mathematical Physics
Rings and Algebras
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.21348