Genuine Entanglement Research Articles

Sudden change in dynamics of genuine multipartite entanglement of cavity-reservoir qubits

We study the dynamics of genuine multipartite entanglement for a system of four qubits. Using a computable entanglement monotone for multipartite systems, we investigate the as yet unexplored aspects of a cavity-reservoir system of qubits. For one specific initial state, we observe a sudden transition in the dynamics of genuine entanglement for the four qubits. This sudden change occurs only during a time window where neither cavity-cavity qubits nor reservoir-reservoir qubits are entangled. We show that the sudden change in dynamics of this specific state is extremely sensitive to white noise.

Multipartite nonlocality as a resource and quantum correlations having indefinite causal order

The characterization of quantum correlations in terms of information-theoretic resource has been a fruitful approach to understand the power of quantum correlations as a resource. While bipartite entanglement and Bell inequality violation in this setting have been extensively studied, relatively little is known about their multipartite counterpart. In this paper, we apply and adapt the recently proposed definitions of multipartite nonlocality (Bancal et al 2013 Phys. Rev. A 88 014102) to the three- and four-partite scenarios to gain new insight on the resource aspect of multipartite nonlocal quantum correlations. Specifically, we show that reproducing certain tripartite quantum correlations requires mixtures of classical resources—be it the ability to change the groupings or the time orderings of measurements. Thus, when seen from the perspective of biseparable one-way classical signaling resources, certain tripartite quantum correlations do not admit a definite causal order. In the four-partite scenario, we obtain a superset description of the set of biseparable correlations which can be produced by allowing two groups of bipartite non-signaling resources. Quantum violation of the resulting Bell-like inequalities is investigated. As a byproduct, we obtain some new examples of device-independent witnesses for genuine four-partite entanglement, and also device-independent witnesses that allow one to infer the structure of the underlying multipartite entanglement.This article is part of a special issue of Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical devoted to ‘50 years of Bell's theorem’.

Genuine-multipartite-entanglement trends in gapless-to-gapped transitions of quantum spin systems

We investigate the behavior of genuine multiparticle entanglement, as quantified by the generalized geometric measure, in gapless-to-gapped quantum transitions of one- and two-dimensional quantum spin models. The investigations are performed in the exactly solvable one-dimensional $XY$ models, as well as two-dimensional frustrated ${J}_{1}--{J}_{2}$ models, including the Shastry-Sutherland model. The generalized geometric measure shows nonmonotonic features near such transitions in the frustrated quantum systems. We also compare the features of the generalized geometric measure near the quantum critical points with the same for measures of bipartite quantum correlations. The multipartite quantum correlation measure turns out to be a better indicator of quantum critical points than the bipartite measures, especially for two-dimensional models.

Detecting faked continuous-variable entanglement using one-sided device-independent entanglement witnesses

We demonstrate the principle of one-sided device-independent continuous variable (CV) quantum information. In situations of no trust, we show by enactment how the use of standard CV entanglement criteria can mislead Charlie into thinking Alice and Bob share entanglement, when the data is actually generated classically using a Local Hidden Variable theory based on the Wigner function. We distinguish between criteria that demonstrate CV entanglement, and criteria that demonstrate the CV Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) steering paradox. We show that the latter, but not the former, are necessarily one-sided device-independent entanglement witnesses, and can be used by Charlie to signify genuine EPR entanglement, if he trusts only Alice. A monogamy result for the EPR steering paradox confirms security of the shared amplitude values in that case.

Spin squeezing, entanglement, and coherence in two driven, dissipative, nonlinear cavities coupled with single- and two-photon exchange

We investigate spin squeezing, quantum entanglement, and second-order coherence in two coupled, driven, dissipative, nonlinear cavities. We compare these quantum statistical properties for the cavities coupled with either single- or two-photon exchange. Solving the quantum optical master equation of the system numerically in the steady state, we calculate the zero-time delay second-order correlation function for the coherent, genuine two-mode entanglement parameters, an optimal spin squeezing inequality associated with particle entanglement, concurrence, quantum entropy, and logarithmic negativity. We identify regimes of distinct quantum statistical character depending on the relative strength of photon exchange and nonlinearity. Moreover, we examine the effects of weak and strong drives on these quantum statistical regimes.

Dynamics of genuine multipartite entanglement under local non-Markovian dephasing

We study dynamics of genuine entanglement for quantum states of three and four qubits under non-Markovian dephasing. Using a computable entanglement monotone for multipartite systems, we find that GHZ state is quite resilient state whereas the W state is the most fragile. We compare dynamics of chosen quantum states with dynamics of random pure states and weighted graph states.

Detecting multiparticle entanglement of Dicke states.

Recent experiments demonstrate the production of many thousands of neutral atoms entangled in their spin degrees of freedom. We present a criterion for estimating the amount of entanglement based on a measurement of the global spin. It outperforms previous criteria and applies to a wider class of entangled states, including Dicke states. Experimentally, we produce a Dicke-like state using spin dynamics in a Bose-Einstein condensate. Our criterion proves that it contains at least genuine 28-particle entanglement. We infer a generalized squeezing parameter of -11.4(5) dB.

Some Puzzles and Unresolved Issues About Quantum Entanglement

Schrodinger (Proc Camb Philos Soc 31:555–563, 1935) averred that entanglement is the characteristic trait of quantum mechanics. The first part of this paper is simultaneously an exploration of Schrodinger’s claim and an investigation into the distinction between mere entanglement and genuine quantum entanglement. The typical discussion of these matters in the philosophical literature neglects the structure of the algebra of observables, implicitly assuming a tensor product structure of the simple Type I factor algebras used in ordinary Quantum Mechanics (QM). This limitation is overcome by adopting the algebraic approach to quantum physics, which allows a uniform treatment of ordinary QM, relativistic quantum field theory, and quantum statistical mechanics. The algebraic apparatus helps to distinguish several different criteria of quantum entanglement and to prove results about the relation of quantum entanglement to two additional ways of characterizing the classical versus quantum divide, viz. abelian versus non-abelian algebras of observables, and the ability versus inability to interrogate the system without disturbing it. Schrodinger’s claim is reassessed in the light of this discussion. The second part of the paper deals with the relativity-to-ambiguity threat: the entanglement of a state on a system algebra is entanglement of the state relative to a decomposition of the system algebra into subsystem algebras; a state may be entangled with respect to one decomposition but not another; hence, unless there is some principled way to choose a decomposition, entanglement is a radically ambiguous notion. The problem is illustrated in terms a Realist versus Pragmatist debate, the former claiming that the decomposition must correspond to real as opposed to virtual subsystems, while the latter claims that the real versus virtual distinction is bogus and that practical considerations can steer the choice of decomposition. This debate is applied to the fraught problem of measuring entanglement for indistinguishable particles. The paper ends with some (intentionally inflammatory) remarks about claims in the philosophical literature that entanglement undermines the separability or independence of subsystems while promoting holism.

Remarks on entanglement entropy for gauge fields

In gauge theories the presence of constraints can obstruct expressing the global Hilbert space as a tensor product of the Hilbert spaces corresponding to degrees of freedom localized in complementary regions. In algebraic terms, this is due to the presence of a center --- a set of operators which commute with all others --- in the gauge invariant operator algebra corresponding to finite region. A unique entropy can be assigned to algebras with center, giving place to a local entropy in lattice gauge theories. However, ambiguities arise on the correspondence between algebras and regions. In particular, it is always possible to choose (in many different ways) local algebras with trivial center, and hence a genuine entanglement entropy, for any region. These choices are in correspondence with maximal trees of links on the boundary, which can be interpreted as partial gauge fixings. This interpretation entails a gauge fixing dependence of the entanglement entropy. In the continuum limit however, ambiguities in the entropy are given by terms local on the boundary of the region, in such a way relative entropy and mutual information are finite, universal, and gauge independent quantities.

Scaling of genuine multiparticle entanglement close to a quantum phase transition

We investigate the scaling and spatial distribution of genuine multiparticle entanglement in three- and four-spin reduced states of the one-dimensional $XY$ model at the quantum phase transition. We observe a logarithmic divergence, show that genuine three- and four-particle entanglement obeys finite-size scaling of the $XY$ model and demonstrate that the genuine three-particle entanglement has a finite spatial range.

Analytical characterization of the genuine multiparticle negativity

The genuine multiparticle negativity is a measure of genuine multiparticle entanglement which can be numerically calculated. We present several results of how this entanglement measure can be characterized in an analytical way. First, we show that with an appropriate normalization this measure can be seen as coming from a mixed convex roof construction. Based on this, we determine its value for n-qubit GHZ-diagonal states and four-qubit cluster-diagonal states.

Measures of genuine multipartite entanglement for graph states

Graph states are special multipartite entangled states that have been proven useful in a variety of quantum information tasks. We address the issue of characterizing and quantifying the genuine multipartite entanglement of graph states up to eight qubits. The entanglement measures used are the geometric measure, the relative entropy of entanglement, and the logarithmic robustness, have been proved to be equal for the genuine entanglement of a graph state. We provide upper and lower bounds as well as an iterative algorithm to determine the genuine multipartite entanglement.

Quantum Splitting a Two-qubit State with a Genuinely Entangled Five-qubit State

A new application of the genuinely entangled five-qubit state is investigated for quantum information splitting of a particular type of two-qubit state. In this scheme, a genuinely entangled five-qubit state is shared by Alice (a sender), Charlie (a controller) and Bob (a receiver), and Alice only needs to perform two Bell-state measurements and Charlie performs a single-qubit measurement, Bob can reconstruct the two-qubit state by performing some appropriately unitary transformations on his qubits after he knows the measured results of both Alice and Charlie. This quantum information splitting scheme is deterministic, i.e. the probability of success is 100 %. The presented protocol is showed to be secure against certain eavesdropping attacks.

Flow of quantum correlations from a two-qubit system to its environment

The open-system dynamics of entanglement plays an important role in the assessment of the robustness of quantum information processes and also in the investigation of the classical limit of quantum mechanics. Here we show that, subjacent to this dynamics, there is a subtle flow of quantum correlations. We use a recently proposed optical setup, which allows joint tomography of system and environment, to show that the decay of an initial bipartite entangled state leads to the buildup of multipartite entanglement and quantum discord, the latter exhibiting a nonanalytic behavior that signals the emergence of maximal genuine quantum entanglement. The origin of this analyticity is shown to be distinct from similar behavior previously found in bipartite systems. Monogamy relations within the context of open-system dynamics explain this phenomenon.

Robustness of multiparticle entanglement: specific entanglement classes and random states

We investigate the robustness of genuine multiparticle entanglement under decoherence. We consider different kinds of entangled three- and four-qubit states as well as random pure states. For amplitude damping noise, we find that the W-type states are most robust, while other states are not more robust than generic states. For phase damping noise the GHZ state is the most robust state, and for depolarizing noise several states are significantly more robust than random states.

Relative Entropy and Squashed Entanglement

We are interested in the properties and relations of entanglement measures. Especially, we focus on the squashed entanglement and relative entropy of entanglement, as well as their analogues and variants. Our first result is a monogamy-like inequality involving the relative entropy of entanglement and its one-way LOCC variant. The proof is accomplished by exploring the properties of relative entropy in the context of hypothesis testing via one-way LOCC operations, and by making use of an argument resembling that by Piani on the faithfulness of regularized relative entropy of entanglement. Following this, we obtain a commensurate and faithful lower bound for squashed entanglement, in the form of one-way LOCC relative entropy of entanglement. This gives a strengthening to the strong subadditivity of von Neumann entropy. Our result improves the trace-distance-type bound derived in [Comm. Math. Phys., 306:805-830, 2011], where faithfulness of squashed entanglement was first proved. Applying Pinsker's inequality, we are able to recover the trace-distance-type bound, even with slightly better constant factor. However, the main improvement is that our new lower bound can be much larger than the old one and it is almost a genuine entanglement measure. We evaluate exactly the various relative entropy of entanglement under restricted measurement classes, for maximally entangled states. Then, by proving asymptotic continuity, we extend the exact evaluation to their regularized versions for all pure states. Finally, we consider comparisons and separations between some important entanglement measures and obtain several new results on these, too.

Classification scheme of pure multipartite states based on topological phases

We investigate the connection between the concept of affine balancedness (a-balancedness) introduced by M. Johansson et al. [Phys. Rev. A 85, 032112 (2012)] and polynomial local SU invariants and the appearance of topological phases, respectively. It is found that different types of a-balancedness correspond to different types of local SU invariants analogously to how different types of balancedness, as defined by A. Osterloh and J. Siewert, [New J. Phys. 12, 075025 (2010)], correspond to different types of local special linear (SL) invariants. These different types of SU invariants distinguish between states exhibiting different topological phases. In the case of three qubits, the different kinds of topological phases are fully distinguished by the three-tangle together with one more invariant. Using this, we present a qualitative classification scheme based on balancedness of a state. While balancedness and local SL invariants of bidegree $(2n,0)$ classify the SL-semistable states [A. Osterloh and J. Siewert, New J. Phys. 12, 075025 (2010); O. Viehmann et al., Phys. Rev. A 83, 052330 (2011)], a-balancedness and local SU invariants of bidegree $(2n\ensuremath{-}m,m)$ give a more fine-grained classification. In this scheme, the a-balanced states form a bridge from the genuine entanglement of balanced states, invariant under the SL group, towards the entanglement of unbalanced states characterized by U invariants of bidegree $(n,n)$. As a byproduct, we obtain generalizations to the W state, i.e., states that are entangled, but contain only globally distributed entanglement of parts of the system.

Dissociation and annihilation of multipartite entanglement structure in dissipative quantum dynamics

We study the dynamics of the entanglement structure of a multipartite system experiencing a dissipative evolution. We characterize the processes leading to a particular form of output system entanglement and provide a recipe for their identification via concatenations of particular linear maps with entanglement-breaking operations. We illustrate the applicability of our approach by considering local and global depolarizing noises acting on general multiqubit states. A difference in the typical entanglement behavior of systems subjected to these noises is observed: the originally genuine entanglement dissociates by splitting off particles one by one in the case of local noise, whereas intermediate stages of entanglement clustering are present in the case of global noise. We also analyze the definitive phase of evolution when the annihilation of the entanglement compound finally takes place.

Genuine fidelity gaps associated with a sequential decomposition of genuinely entangling isometry and unitary operations

We draw attention to the existence of "genuine" fidelity gaps in an ancilla-assisted sequential decomposition of genuinely entangling isometry and unitary operations of quantum computing. The gaps arise upon a bipartite decomposition of a multiqubit operation in a one-way sequential recipe in which an ancillary system interacts locally and only once with each qubit in a row. Given the known "no-go" associated with such a theoretically and experimentally desirable decomposition, various figures of merit are introduced to analyze the optimal "fidelity" with which an arbitrary genuinely entangling operation may admit such a sequential decomposition. An efficient variational matrix-product-operator (VMPO) protocol is invoked in order to obtain numerically the minimal values of the fidelity gaps incurred upon sequential decomposition of genuine entanglers. We term the values of the gaps so obtained genuine in the light of possible connections to the concept of the genuine multipartite entanglement and since they are independent of the ancilla dimension and the initial states the associated unitaries act upon.

Long-distance distribution of genuine energy-time entanglement.

Any practical realization of entanglement-based quantum communication must be intrinsically secure and able to span long distances avoiding the need of a straight line between the communicating parties. The violation of Bell’s inequality offers a method for the certification of quantum links without knowing the inner workings of the devices. Energy-time entanglement quantum communication satisfies all these requirements. However, currently there is a fundamental obstacle with the standard configuration adopted: an intrinsic geometrical loophole that can be exploited to break the security of the communication, in addition to other loopholes. Here we show the first experimental Bell violation with energy-time entanglement distributed over 1 km of optical fibres that is free of this geometrical loophole. This is achieved by adopting a new experimental design, and by using an actively stabilized fibre-based long interferometer. Our results represent an important step towards long-distance secure quantum communication in optical fibres.