Reduction of unitary operators, quantum graphs and quantum channels

Abstract Given a unitary operator in a finite dimensional complex vector space, its unitary reduction to a subspace is defined. The application to quantum graphs is discussed. It is shown how the reduction allows to generate the scattering matrices of new quantum graphs from assembling of simpler graphs. The reduction of quantum channels is also defined. The implementation of the quantum gates corresponding to the reduced unitary operator is investigated, although no explicit construction is presented. The situation is different for the reduction of quantum channels for which explicit implementations are given.