In quantum information theory a covariant quantum operation Φ:B(H1)→B(H2) is an operation that is invariant under a group action that characterizes the symmetry of the input and output system. In other words, given unitary representations U1 and U2 of G such a map satisfies:
U(2)(g)†Φ(U1(g)ρU1(g)†)U2(g)=ρ
for all ρ∈B(H1) and for all g∈G.
One could construct such a map for example by using the dynamical evolution of a system and ensuring that the Hamiltonian H commutes with the unitary matrices U1(g) and U2(g): [U1(g),H]=[U2(g),H]=0. However, how often do such covariant quantum operations appear physically? What would be some non-trivial real physical examples?