Unified criteria for multipartite quantum nonlocality

Wiseman and co-workers (Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 140402, 2007) proposed a distinction between the nonlocality classes of Bell's nonlocality, steering and entanglement based on whether or not an overseer trusts each party in a bipartite scenario where they are asked to demonstrate entanglement. Here we extend that concept to the multipartite case and derive inequalities that progressively test for those classes of nonlocality, with different thresholds for each level. This framework includes the three classes of nonlocality above in special cases and introduces a family of others.Comment: V2: corrected image display; V3: substantial changes including new proofs, arguments, and result

Testing for Multipartite Quantum Nonlocality Using Functional Bell Inequalities

We show that arbitrary functions of continuous variables, e.g. position and momentum, can be used to generate tests that distinguish quantum theory from local hidden variable theories. By optimising these functions, we obtain more robust violations of local causality than obtained previously. We analytically calculate the optimal function and include the effect of nonideal detectors and noise, revealing that optimized functional inequalities are resistant to standard forms of decoherence. These inequalities could allow a loophole-free Bell test with efficient homodyne detection

Pre- and post-selection, weak values, and contextuality

By analyzing the concept of contextuality (Bell-Kochen-Specker) in terms of pre-and-post-selection (PPS), it is possible to assign definite values to observables in a new and surprising way. Physical reasons are presented for restrictions on these assignments. When measurements are performed which do not disturb the pre- and post-selection (i.e. weak measurements), then novel experimental aspects of contextuality can be demonstrated including a proof that every PPS-paradox with definite predictions implies contextuality. Certain results of these measurements (eccentric weak values with e.g. negative values outside the spectrum), however, cannot be explained by a "classical-like" hidden variable theory.Comment: Identical content; stream-lined verbal presentatio

Robustness and Enhancement of Neural Synchronization by Activity-Dependent Coupling

We study the synchronization of two model neurons coupled through a synapse having an activity-dependent strength. Our synapse follows the rules of Spike-Timing Dependent Plasticity (STDP). We show that this plasticity of the coupling between neurons produces enlarged frequency locking zones and results in synchronization that is more rapid and much more robust against noise than classical synchronization arising from connections with constant strength. We also present a simple discrete map model that demonstrates the generality of the phenomenon.Comment: 4 pages, accepted for publication in PR

Bohmian Histories and Decoherent Histories

The predictions of the Bohmian and the decoherent (or consistent) histories formulations of the quantum mechanics of a closed system are compared for histories -- sequences of alternatives at a series of times. For certain kinds of histories, Bohmian mechanics and decoherent histories may both be formulated in the same mathematical framework within which they can be compared. In that framework, Bohmian mechanics and decoherent histories represent a given history by different operators. Their predictions for the probabilities of histories therefore generally differ. However, in an idealized model of measurement, the predictions of Bohmian mechanics and decoherent histories coincide for the probabilities of records of measurement outcomes. The formulations are thus difficult to distinguish experimentally. They may differ in their accounts of the past history of the universe in quantum cosmology.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, Revtex, minor correction

Quantum theory of successive projective measurements

We show that a quantum state may be represented as the sum of a joint probability and a complex quantum modification term. The joint probability and the modification term can both be observed in successive projective measurements. The complex modification term is a measure of measurement disturbance. A selective phase rotation is needed to obtain the imaginary part. This leads to a complex quasiprobability, the Kirkwood distribution. We show that the Kirkwood distribution contains full information about the state if the two observables are maximal and complementary. The Kirkwood distribution gives a new picture of state reduction. In a nonselective measurement, the modification term vanishes. A selective measurement leads to a quantum state as a nonnegative conditional probability. We demonstrate the special significance of the Schwinger basis.Comment: 6 page

Bell inequalities for Continuous-Variable Measurements

Tests of local hidden variable theories using measurements with continuous variable (CV) outcomes are developed, and a comparison of different methods is presented. As examples, we focus on multipartite entangled GHZ and cluster states. We suggest a physical process that produces the states proposed here, and investigate experiments both with and without binning of the continuous variable. In the former case, the Mermin-Klyshko inequalities can be used directly. For unbinned outcomes, the moment-based CFRD inequalities are extended to functional inequalities by considering arbitrary functions of the measurements at each site. By optimising these functions, we obtain more robust violations of local hidden variable theories than with either binning or moments. Recent inequalities based on the algebra of quaternions and octonions are compared with these methods. Since the prime advantage of CV experiments is to provide a route to highly efficient detection via homodyne measurements, we analyse the effect of noise and detection losses in both binned and unbinned cases. The CV moment inequalities with an optimal function have greater robustness to both loss and noise. This could permit a loophole-free test of Bell inequalities.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figure

Chiral Anomaly Effects and the BaBar Measurements of the γγ∗→π0\gamma\gamma^{*}\to \pi^{0} Transition Form Factor

The recent BaBar measurements of the $\gamma\gamma^{*}\to \pi^{0}$ transition form factor show spectacular deviation from perturbative QCD prediction for large space-like $Q^{2}$ up to $34\,\rm GeV^{2}$. When plotted against $Q^{2}$, $Q^{2}F(Q^{2})$ shows steady increase with $Q^{2}$ in contrast with the flat $Q^{2}$ behavior predicted by perturbative QCD, and at $34\,\rm GeV^{2}$ is more than 50% larger than the QCD prediction. Stimulated by the BaBar measurements, we revisit our previous paper on the cancellation of anomaly effects in high energy processes $Z^{0}\to \pi^{0}\gamma$, $e^{+}e^{-}\to \pi^{0}\gamma$ and apply our results to the $\gamma^{*}\gamma\to \pi^{0}$ transition form factor measured in the $e^{+}e^{-}\to e^{+}e^{-}\pi^{0}$ process with one highly virtual photon. We find that, the transition form factor $F(Q^{2})$ behaves as $(\frac{m^{2}}{Q^{2}})\times (\ln(Q^{2}/m^{2}))^{2}$ and produces a striking agreement with the BaBar data for $Q^{2}F(Q^{2})$ with $m=132\,\rm MeV$ which also reproduces very well the CLEO data at lower $Q^{2}$.Comment: v4, LaTeX, 8 pages, one figure, minor changes(references), to appear in Int. J. Mod. Phys.