Single particle nonlocality: A proposed experimental test
R. Srikanth
备注：
7 pages; 1 figure; Text expanded to reflect a better understanding of the effect uncovered in v1, as due to measurement in an incomplete basis. New references added to distinguish the present result from another instance of single particle nonlocality reported in the literature
We show that controlled interference of a particle's wavefunction can be used to perform a quantum mechanical measurement in an incomplete basis. This happens because the measurement projects the particle into a lower dimensional subspace of the Hilbert space of the incoming wave. It allows a sender (Alice) to signal the receiver (Bob) nonlocally, by Alice's choosing to measure in a complete or incomplete basis (in general: bases of differing incompleteness). If experimentally confirmed, it furnishes a new quantum communication act: nonlocal transmission of a bit without concomitant causal communication. However, the question of its compatibility with special relativity remains unresolved.
Unlike in the case of distinguishable particles, the concept of entanglement-- not to mention, nonlocality-- remains debated in case of indistinguishable particles. Here, we show that certain existing all-versus-nothing type of proofs of contextuality or nonlocality for distinguishable particles, based on a logical contradiction, may be carried over to indistinguishable particles.
The formalism employing local complex amplitudes that resolved the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen puzzle (C. S. Unnikrishnan, quant-ph/0001112) is applied to the three-particle GHZ correlations. We show that the GHZ quantum correlations can be reproduced without nonlocality.
It is argued that Hardy-type proposals assume either nonlocality at detection, and then beg the question, or "local empty waves" (local hidden variables), and then have to accept "many worlds" and cannot prove nonlocality.
We present a variation on a gedanken experiment of Hardy [Phys. Rev. Lett. 68 (1992) 2981] that allows, for the first time, a Hardy-type nonlocality proof for two maximally entangled particles in a four-dimensional Hilbert space.
The notions of three-particle entanglement and three-particle nonlocality are discussed in the light of Svetlichny's inequality [Phys. Rev. D 35, 3066 (1987)]. It is shown that there exist sets of measurements which can be used to prove three-particle entanglement, but which are nevertheless useless at proving three-particle nonlocality. In particular, it is shown that the quantum predictions giving a maximal violation of Mermin's three-particle Bell inequality [Phys. Rev. Lett. 65, 1838 (1990)] can be reproduced by a hybrid hidden variables model in which nonlocal correlations are present onl…
In a recent Brief Report, Zheng [S-B. Zheng, PRA 66, 014103 (2002)] has given a proof of nonlocality without using inequalities for three spin-1/2 particles in the nonmaximally entangled state |psi> = cosθ|+++> + i sinθ|-->. Here we show that Zheng's proof is not correct. Indeed it is the case that, for the experiment considered by Zheng, the only state that admits a nonlocality proof without inequalities is the maximally entangled state.
We present, at the gedanken level, a possibly novel non-statistical demonstration of nonlocality for two maximally entangled particles. The argument requires only two alternative experimental contexts, only one and the same single-particle observable, and leads to a contradiction with a constrained form of local realism in 50% of experimental runs. However, the argument is based on a 'plausible' but not definitive notion of locality.
We investigate the issue of single particle nonlocality in a quantum system subjected to time-dependent boundary conditions. We first prove that contrary to earlier claims, there is no strong nonlocality: a quantum state localized at the center of a well with infinitely high moving walls is not modified by the wall's motion. We then show the existence of a weak form of nonlocality: when a quantum state is extended over the well, the wall's motion induces a current density all over the box instantaneously. We indicate how this current density can in principle be measured by performing weak meas…
We describe a scheme to demonstrate the nonlocal properties of a single particle by showing a violation of Bell's inequality. The scheme is experimentally achievable as the only inputs are number states and mixed states, which serve as references to `keep track of the experiment'. These reference states are created completely independently of one another and correlated only after all the measurement results have been recorded. This means that any observed nonlocality must solely be due to the single particle state. All the techniques used are equally applicable to massive particles as to photo…
Gisin's argument against deterministic nonlinear Schroedinger equations is shown to be valid for every (formally) nonlinearizable case of the general Doebner-Goldin 2-particle equation in the following form: The time-dependence of the position probability distribution of a particle `behind the moon' may be instantaneously changed by an arbitrarily small instantaneous change of the potential `inside the laboratory'.
Understanding the relation between nonlocality and entanglement is one of the fundamental problems in quantum physics. In the bipartite case, it is known that the correlations observed for some entangled quantum states can be explained within the framework of local models, thus proving that these resources are inequivalent in this scenario. However, except for a single example of an entangled three-qubit state that has a local model, almost nothing is known about such relation in multipartite systems. We provide a general construction of genuinely multipartite entangled states that do not disp…
Entanglement, the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) paradox and Bell's failure of local-hidden-variable (LHV) theories are three historically famous forms of "quantum nonlocality". We give experimental criteria for these three forms of nonlocality in multi-particle systems, with the aim of better understanding the transition from microscopic to macroscopic nonlocality. We examine the nonlocality of N separated spin J systems. First, we obtain multipartite Bell inequalities that address the correlation between spin values measured at each site, and then we review spin squeezing inequalities that ad…
In this paper we extend Hardy's nonlocality proof for two spin-1/2 particles [PRL 71 (1993) 1665] to the case of n spin-1/2 particles configured in the generalized GHZ state. We show that, for all n \geq 3, any entangled GHZ state violates the Bell inequality associated with the Hardy experiment. This feature is important since it has been shown [PRL 88 (2002) 210402] that, for all n odd, there are entangled GHZ states that do not violate any standard n-particle correlation Bell inequality.
We propose a single-particle experiment that is equivalent to the conventional two-particle experiment used to demonstrate a violation of Bell's inequalities. Hence, we argue that quantum mechanical nonlocality can be demonstrated by single-particle states. The validity of such a claim has been discussed in the literature, but without reaching a clear consensus. We show that the disagreement can be traced to what part of the total state of the experiment one assigns to the (macroscopic) measurement apparatus. However, with a conventional and legitimate interpretation of the measurement process…
Recent work has argued that the concepts of entanglement and nonlocality must be taken seriously even in systems consisting of only a single particle. These treatments, however, are nonrelativistic and, if single particle entanglement is fundamental, it should also persist in a relativistic description. Here we consider a spin-1/2 particle in a superposition of two different velocities as viewed by an observer in a different relativistically-boosted inertial frame. We show that the entanglement survives right up to the speed of light and that the boosted observer would see single-particle viol…
Quantum nonlocality has recently been classified into three distinct types: quantum entanglement, Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) steering, and Bell's nonlocality. Experimentally Bell's nonlocality is usually tested by quantum violation of the Clause-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) inequality in the two-qubit system. Bell's nonlocality is the strongest type of nonlocality, also due this reason Bell-test experiments have encountered both the locality loophole and the detection loophole for a very long time. As a weaker nonlocality, EPR steering naturally escapes from the locality loophole and is corres…
Generic forms of the entangled states of two spin-1 (and spin-3/2) particles, along with the set of appropriate spin observables that together exhibit maximum nonlocality under the Hardy's nonlocality test are given; the maximum nonlocality is shown to be 0.09017. It is conjectured that this result holds good for a system of two spin-$j$ particles for all values of $j$. It is also shown that no maximally entangled state of two spin-$j$ particles responds to the Hardy's nonlocality test.
Past, present and future experimental tests of quantum nonlocality are discussed. Consequences of assuming that the state-vector collapse is a real physical phenomenon in space-time are developed. These lead to experiments feasible with today's technology.
There has been a great deal of debate surrounding the issue of whether it is possible for a single photon to exhibit nonlocality. A number of schemes have been proposed that claim to demonstrate this effect, but each has been met with significant opposition. The objections hinge largely on the fact that these schemes use unobservable initial states and so, it is claimed, they do not represent experiments that could actually be performed. Here we show how it is possible to overcome these objections by presenting an experimentally feasible scheme that uses realistic initial states. Furthermore, …
Standard tripartite nonlocality and genuine tripartite nonlocality can be detected by the violations of Mermin inequality and Svetlichny inequality, respectively. Since tripartite quantum nonlocality has novel applications in quantum information and quantum computation, it is important to investigate whether more than three observers can share tripartite nonlocality, simultaneously. In the present study we answer this question in the affirmative. In particular, we consider a scenario where three spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ particles are spatially separated and shared between Alice, Bob and multiple Cha…
For the purpose of the nonlocality test, we propose a general correlation observable of two parties by utilizing local $d$-outcome measurements with SU($d$) transformations and classical communications. Generic symmetries of the SU($d$) transformations and correlation observables are found for the test of nonlocality. It is shown that these symmetries dramatically reduce the number of numerical variables, which is important for numerical analysis of nonlocality. A linear combination of the correlation observables, which is reduced to the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) Bell's inequality for …
Quantum nonlocality is typically assigned to systems of two or more well separated particles, but nonlocality can also exist in systems consisting of just a single particle, when one considers the subsystems to be distant spatial field modes. Single particle nonlocality has been confirmed experimentally via a bipartite Bell inequality. In this paper, we introduce an N-party Hardy-like proof of impossibility of local elements of reality and a Bell inequality for local realistic theories for a single particle superposed symmetrical over N spatial field modes (i.e. a N qubit W state). We show tha…
We comment on the purported violation of local realism, by a single photon induced correlations between homodyne detectors, which one can find in: New J. Phys. 10, 113024 (2008), [arXiv:0807.0109]. The claim is erroneous, due to a calculational mistake. As the result is the basis of other claims in the paper, they are unsubstantiated.
Genuine multipartite nonlocality (GMN), the strongest form of multipartite nonlocality that describes fully collective nonlocal correlations among all experimental parties, can be observed when different distant parties each locally measure a particle from a shared entangled many-particle state. For the demonstration of GMN, the experimentally observed statistics are typically postselected: Events for which some parties do not detect a particle must be discarded. This coincidence postselection generally leads to the detection loophole that invalidates a proper nonlocality demonstration. In thi…
We propose a test of nonlocality for continuous variables using a two-mode squeezed state as the source of nonlocal correlations and a measurement scheme based on conditional homodyne detection. Both the CHSH- and the CH-inequality are constructed from the conditional homodyne data and found to be violated for a squeezing parameter larger than $r\approx0.48$.
Nonlocality is a fascinating and counterintuitive aspect of Nature, revealed by the violation of a Bell inequality. The standard and easiest configuration in which Bell inequalities can be measured has been proposed by Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH). However, alternative nonlocality tests can also be carried out. In particular, Bell inequalities requiring multiple measurement settings can provide deeper fundamental insights about quantum nonlocality as well as offering advantages in the presence of noise and detection inefficiency. In this article we show how these nonlocality tests can be …
The network structure offers in principle the possibility for novel forms of quantum nonlocal correlations, that are proper to networks and cannot be traced back to standard quantum Bell nonlocality. Here we define a notion of genuine network quantum nonlocality. Our approach is operational and views standard quantum nonlocality as a resource for producing correlations in networks. We show several examples of correlations that are genuine network nonlocal, considering the so-called bilocality network of entanglement swapping. In particular, we present an example of quantum self-testing which r…
We explore the possibility to manipulate massive, i.e. motional, degrees of freedom of trapped ions. In particular, we demonstrate that, if local control of the trapping frequencies is achieved, one can reproduce the full toolbox of linear optics on radial modes. Furthermore, assuming only global control of the trapping potential, we show that unprecedented degrees of continuous variable entanglement can be obtained and that nonlocality tests with massive degrees of freedom can be carried out.
In this paper we extend the ladder proof of nonlocality without inequalities for two spin-half particles given by Boschi et al [PRL 79, 2755 (1997)] to the case in which the measurement settings of the apparatus measuring one of the particles are different from the measurement settings of the apparatus measuring the other particle. It is shown that, in any case, the proportion of particle pairs for which the contradiction with local realism goes through is maximized when the measurement settings are the same for each apparatus. Also we write down a Bell inequality for the experiment in questio…
In this letter we propose a set of conditions on the joint probabilities as a test of genuine multipartite nonlocality without inequality. Our test is failed by all non-signaling local models in which even nonlocal correlations among some observables (not all) are allowed as long as these correlations respect the non-signaling principle. A pass of our test by a state therefore indicates that this state cannot be simulated by any non-signaling local models, i.e., the state exhibits genuine multipartite nonlocality. It turns out that all entangled symmetric n-qubit ($n \geq 3$) states pass our t…
While Bell nonlocality of a bipartite system is counter-intuitive, multipartite nonlocality in our many-body world turns out to be even more so. Recent theoretical study reveals in a theory-agnostic manner that genuine multipartite nonlocal correlations cannot be explained by any causal theory involving fewer-partite nonclassical resources and global shared randomness. Here we provide a Bell-type inequality as a test for genuine multipartite nonlocality in network by exploiting a matrix representation of the causal structure of a multipartite system. We further present experimental demonstrati…
We explore correlation polytopes to derive a set of all Boole-Bell type conditions of possible classical experience which are both maximal and complete. These are compared with the respective quantum expressions for the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) case and for two particles with spin state measurements along three directions.
We introduce a multipartite extension of an information-theoretic distance first introduced in [Nature 341, 119 (1989)]. We use this new distance to derive entropic tests of multipartite nonlocality for three and for an arbitrary even number of qubits as well as a test of state-independent contextuality. In addition, we re-derive the tripartite Mermin inequality and a state-independent non-contextuality inequality by Cabello [Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 210401 (2008)]. This suggests that the information-theoretic distance approach to multipartite nonlocality and state-independent contextuality can p…
We address the problem of detecting bipartite Bell nonlocality whenever the only experimental information are the intensities produced in each run of the experiment by an unknown number of particles. We point out that this scenario naturally occurs in Bell experiments with parametric down-conversion when the crystal is pumped by strong pulses, in Bell tests with distant sources and in which particles suffer different delays during their flight, in Bell experiments using living cells as photo detectors, and in Bell experiments where the pairing information is physically removed. We show that, a…
We experimentally show that nonlocality can be produced from single-particle contextuality by using two-particle correlations which do not violate any Bell inequality by themselves. This demonstrates that nonlocality can come from an {\em a priori} different simpler phenomenon, and connects contextuality and nonlocality, the two critical resources for, respectively, quantum computation and secure communication. From the perspective of quantum information, our experiment constitutes a proof of principle that quantum systems can be used simultaneously for both quantum computation and secure comm…
The question of testing the nonlocality of a single photon has raised much debate over the last years. The controversy is intimately related to the issue of providing a common reference frame for the observers to perform their local measurements. Here we address this point by presenting a simple scheme for demonstrating the nonlocality of a single photon which does not require a shared reference frame. Specifically, Bell inequality violation can be obtained with certainty with unaligned devices, even if the relative frame fluctuates between each experimental run of the Bell test. Our scheme ap…
We consider Bell tests involving bipartite states shared between three parties. We show that the simple inclusion of a third part may greatly simplify the measurement scenario (in terms of the number of measurement settings per part) and allows the identification of previously unknown nonlocal resources.
We show two experimental realizations of Hardy ladder test of quantum nonlocality using energy-time correlated photons, following the scheme proposed by A. Cabello \emph{et al.} [Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{102}, 040401 (2009)]. Unlike, previous energy-time Bell experiments, these tests require precise tailored nonmaximally entangled states. One of them is equivalent to the two-setting two-outcome Bell test requiring a minimum detection efficiency. The reported experiments are still affected by the locality and detection loopholes, but are free of the post-selection loophole of previous energy-ti…
Incompatibility of observables, or measurements, is one of the key features of quantum mechanics, related, among other concepts, to Heisenberg's uncertainty relations and Bell nonlocality. In this manuscript we show, however, that even though incompatible measurements are necessary for the violation of any Bell inequality, some relevant Bell-like inequalities may be obtained if compatibility relations are assumed between the local measurements of one (or more) of the parties. Hence, compatibility of measurements is not necessarily a drawback and may, however, be useful for the detection of Bel…
Quantum nonlocality, one of the most important features of quantum mechanics, is normally connected in experiments with the violation of Bell-Clauser-Horne (Bell-CH) inequalities. We propose effective methods for the rearrangement and linear inequality to prove a large variety of Bell-CH inequalities. We also derive a set of Bell-CH inequalities by using these methods which can be violated in some quantum entangled states.
This article describes a proposed way to conduct an experiment using a correlated particle pair in an entangled state, which leaves no room for any local models.
Two distant systems can exhibit quantum nonlocality even though the correlations between them admit a local model. This nonlocality can be revealed by testing extra correlations between successive measurements on one of the systems which do not admit a noncontextual model whatever the reduced state of this system is. This shows that quantum contextuality plays a fundamental role in quantum nonlocality, and allows an experimental test of the Kochen-Specker with locality theorem.
Relativistic causality forbids superluminal signaling between distant observers. By exploiting the non-signaling principle, we derive the exact relationship between the chained Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt sum of correlations CHSH_K and the success probability P_K associated with Hardy's ladder test of nonlocality for two qubits and K+1 observables per qubit. Then, by invoking the Tsirelson bound for CHSH_K, the derived relationship allows us to establish an upper limit on P_K. In addition, we draw the connection between CHSH_K and the chained version of the Clauser-Horne (CH) inequality.
An experiment performed in 2002 by Sciarrino et al. provided a simple proof of the nonlocality of a single photon whose wave function is multi-branched. The difference between this experiment and others similar, is that the tester-particle used by Sciarrino to "feel" this nonlocality is another photon identical to the tested one. Such an experiment be can in principle performed with fermions too, and this is the case ivestigated in this article. The novel phenomenon revealed by Sciarrino's experiment, is the particle "borrowing". If a single particle is described by a two-branched wave functio…
The ladder proof of nonlocality without inequalities for two spin half particles proposed by Hardy et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 79 (1997) 2755) works only for nonmaximally entangled states and goes through for 50% of pairs at the most. A similar ladder proof for two spin-1 particles in a maximally entangled state is presented. In its simplest form, the proof goes through for 17% of pairs. An extended version works for 100% of pairs. The proof can be extended to any maximally entangled state of two spin-s particles (with s equal or greater than 1).
Quantum nonlocality and quantum steering are fundamental correlations of quantum systems which can not be created using classical resources only. Nonlocality describes the ability to influence the possible results of measurements carried out in distant systems, in quantum steering Alice remotely steers Bob's state. Research in nonlocality and steering possess a fundamental interest for the development of quantum information and in many applications requiring nonlocal resources like quantum key distribution. On the other hand, the Stern-Gerlach experiment holds an important place in the history…
We propose an optimal numerical test for genuine multipartite nonlocality based on linear programming. In particular, we consider two non-equivalent models of local hidden variables, namely the Svetlichny and the no-signaling bilocal model. While our knowledge concerning these models is well established for Bell scenarios involving two measurement settings per party, the general case based on an arbitrary number of settings is a considerably more challenging task and very little work has been done in this field. In this paper, we applied such general tests to detect and characterize genuine $n…
Self-testing protocols enable certification of quantum devices without demanding full knowledge about their inner workings. A typical approach in designing such protocols is based on observing nonlocal correlations which exhibit maximum violation in a Bell test. We show that in Bell experiment known as Hardy's test of nonlocality not only the maximally nonlocal correlation self-tests a quantum state, rather a non-maximal nonlocal behavior can serve the same purpose. We, in fact, completely characterize all such behaviors leading to self-test of every pure two qubit entangled state except the m…
An experiment has recently been performed to demonstrate quantum nonlocality by establishing contextuality in one of a pair of photons encoding four qubits; however, low detection efficiencies and use of the fair-sampling hypothesis leave these results open to possible criticism due to the detection loophole. In this Letter, a physically motivated local hidden-variable model is considered as a possible mechanism for explaining the experimentally observed results. The model, though not intrinsically contextual, acquires this quality upon post-selection of coincident detections.
Energy-time entangled biphoton source plays a great role in quantum communication, quantum metrology and quantum cryptography due to its strong temporal correlation and capability of nonlocal dispersion cancellation. As a quantum effect, nonlocal dispersion cancellation is further proposed as an alternative way for nonlocality test of continuous variable entanglement via the violation of Bell-like inequality proposed by Wasak et al. [Phys. Rev. A, 82, 052120 (2010)]. However, to date there is no experimental report either on the inequality violation or on a nonlocal detection with single-photo…
Quantum nonlocality is tested for an entangled coherent state, interacting with a dissipative environment. A pure entangled coherent state violates Bell's inequality regardless of its coherent amplitude. The higher the initial nonlocality, the more rapidly quantum nonlocality is lost. The entangled coherent state can also be investigated in the framework of $2\times2$ Hilbert space. The quantum nonlocality persists longer in $2\times2$ Hilbert space. When it decoheres it is found that the entangled coherent state fails the nonlocality test, which contrasts with the fact that the decohered enta…
Recently much interest has been directed towards designing setups that achieve realistic loss thresholds for decisive tests of local realism, in particular in the optical regime. We analyse the feasibility of such Bell tests based on a W-state shared between multiple parties, which can be realised for example by a single photon shared between spatial modes. We develop a general error model to obtain thresholds on the efficiencies required to violate local realism, and also consider two concrete optical measurement schemes.
