Abstract

Both the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and messaging extraterrestrial intelligence (METI) struggle with a strong indeterminacy in what data to look for and when to do so. This has led to attempts at finding both fundamental mathematical limits for SETI as well as benchmarks regarding specific signals. Due to the natural correspondence, previous information-theoretic work has been formulated in terms of communication between extraterrestrial and human civilizations. In this work, we instead formalize SETI as a detection problem, specifically (quantum) one-shot asymmetric hypothesis testing. This framework holds for all detection scenarios-in particular, it is relevant for detection of any technosignature, including quantum mechanical signals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to consider the applicability of SETI for quantum signals. Using this formalism, we are able to unify the analysis of fundamental limits and benchmarking specific signals. To show a distinction between METI and SETI, we show that significantly weaker signals may be useful in detection in comparison to communication. Furthermore, the framework is computationally efficient, so it can be implemented by practicing astrobiologists.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2023 57th Annual Conference on Information Sciences and Systems, CISS 2023
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781665451819
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
Event57th Annual Conference on Information Sciences and Systems, CISS 2023 - Baltimore, United States
Duration: Mar 22 2023Mar 24 2023

Publication series

Name2023 57th Annual Conference on Information Sciences and Systems, CISS 2023

Conference

Conference57th Annual Conference on Information Sciences and Systems, CISS 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBaltimore
Period3/22/233/24/23

Keywords

  • Asymmetric Hypothesis Testing
  • One-Shot Information Theory
  • Quantum Information Theory
  • Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science Applications
  • Hardware and Architecture
  • Information Systems
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Information Systems and Management
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

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