Discrete Wigner distribution for two qubits: a characterization of entanglement properties

Abstract

We study the properties of the discrete Wigner distribution for two qubits introduced by Wotters. In particular, we analyze the entanglement properties within the Wigner distribution picture by considering the negativity of the Wigner function (WF) and the correlations of the marginal distribution. We show that a state is entangled if at least one among the values assumed by the corresponding discrete WF is smaller than a certain critical (negative) value. Then, based on the Partial Transposition criterion, we establish the relation between the separability of a density matrix and the non-negativity of the WF's relevant both to such a density matrix and to the partially transposed thereof. Finally, we derive a simple inequality --involving the covariance-matrix elements of a given WF-- which appears to provide a separability criterion stronger than the one based on the Local Uncertainty Relations.