The structure of classical extensions of quantum probability theory

On the basis of a suggestive definition of a classical extension of quantum mechanics in terms of statistical models, we prove that every such classical extension is essentially given by the so-called Misra–Bugajski reduction map. We consider how this map enables one to understand quantum mechanics as a reduced classical statistical theory on the projective Hilbert space as phase space and discuss features of the induced hidden-variable model. Moreover, some relevant technical results on the topology and Borel structure of the projective Hilbert space are reviewed

Approximating incompatible von Neumann measurements simultaneously

We study the problem of performing orthogonal qubit measurements simultaneously. Since these measurements are incompatible, one has to accept additional imprecision. An optimal joint measurement is the one with the least possible imprecision. All earlier considerations of this problem have concerned only joint measurability of observables, while in this work we also take into account conditional state transformations (i.e., instruments). We characterize the optimal joint instrument for two orthogonal von Neumann instruments as being the Luders instrument of the optimal joint observable.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures; v2 has a more extensive introduction + other minor correction

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics and Relativistic Entanglement in the Rest-Frame Instant Form of Dynamics

A new formulation of relativistic quantum mechanics is proposed in the framework of the rest-frame instant form of dynamics with its instantaneous Wigner 3-spaces and with its description of the particle world-lines by means of derived non-canonical predictive coordinates. In it we quantize the frozen Jacobi data of the non-local 4-center of mass and the Wigner-covariant relative variables in an abstract (frame-independent) internal space whose existence is implied by Wigner-covariance. The formalism takes care of the properties of both relativistic bound states and scattering ones. There is a natural solution to the \textit{relativistic localization problem}. The non-relativistic limit leads to standard quantum mechanics but with a frozen Hamilton-Jacobi description of the center of mass. Due to the \textit{non-locality} of the Poincar\'e generators the resulting theory of relativistic entanglement is both \textit{kinematically non-local and spatially non-separable}: these properties, absent in the non-relativistic limit, throw a different light on the interpretation of the non-relativistic quantum non-locality and of its impact on foundational problems.Comment: 73 pages, includes revision

Uncertainty Relations for Positive Operator Valued Measures

How much unavoidable randomness is generated by a Positive Operator Valued Measure (POVM)? We address this question using two complementary approaches. First we study the variance of a real variable associated to the POVM outcomes. In this context we introduce an uncertainty operator which measures how much additional noise is introduced by carrying out a POVM rather than a von Neumann measurement. We illustrate this first approach by studying the variances of joint estimates of \sigma_x and \sigma_z for spin 1/2 particles. We show that for unbiased measurements the sum of these variances is lower bounded by 1. In our second approach we study the entropy of the POVM outcomes. In particular we try to establish lower bounds on the entropy of the POVM outcomes. We illustrate this second approach by examples.Comment: 5 pages, minor modifications and clarification

The conditions for quantum violation of macroscopic realism

Why do we not experience a violation of macroscopic realism in every-day life? Normally, no violation can be seen either because of decoherence or the restriction of coarse-grained measurements, transforming the time evolution of any quantum state into a classical time evolution of a statistical mixture. We find the sufficient condition for these classical evolutions for spin systems under coarse-grained measurements. Then we demonstrate that there exist "non-classical" Hamiltonians whose time evolution cannot be understood classically, although at every instant of time the quantum spin state appears as a classical mixture. We suggest that such Hamiltonians are unlikely to be realized in nature because of their high computational complexity.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, revised version, journal reference adde

Sharp crossover from composite fermionization to phase separation in mesoscopic mixtures of ultracold bosons

We show that a two-component mixture of a few repulsively interacting ultracold atoms in a one-dimensional trap possesses very different quantum regimes and that the crossover between them can be induced by tuning the interactions in one of the species. In the composite fermionization regime, where the interactions between both components are large, none of the species show large occupation of any natural orbital. Our results show that by increasing the interaction in one of the species, one can reach the phase-separated regime. In this regime, the weakly interacting component stays at the center of the trap and becomes almost fully phase coherent, while the strongly interacting component is displaced to the edges of the trap. The crossover is sharp, as observed in the in the energy and the in the largest occupation of a natural orbital of the weakly interacting species. Such a transition is a purely mesoscopic effect which disappears for large atom numbers.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

On localization and position operators in Moebius-covariant theories

Some years ago it was shown that, in some cases, a notion of locality can arise from the group of symmetry enjoyed by the theory, thus in an intrinsic way. In particular, when Moebius covariance is present, it is possible to associate some particular transformations to the Tomita Takesaki modular operator and conjugation of a specific interval of an abstract circle. In this context we propose a way to define an operator representing the coordinate conjugated with the modular transformations. Remarkably this coordinate turns out to be compatible with the abstract notion of locality. Finally a concrete example concerning a quantum particle on a line is also given.Comment: 19 pages, UTM 705, version to appear in RM

The canonical phase measurement is pure

We show that the canonical phase measurement is pure in the sense that the corresponding positive operator valued measure (POVM) is extremal in the convex set of all POVMs. This means that the canonical phase measurement cannot be interpreted as a noisy measurement, even if it is not a projection valued measure.Comment: 4 page

Quantum correlations and spatial localization in one-dimensional ultracold bosonic mixtures

We present the complete phase diagram for one-dimensional binary mixtures of bosonic ultracold atomic gases in a harmonic trap. We obtain exact results with direct numerical diagonalization for small number of atoms, which permits us to quantify quantum many-body correlations. The quantum Monte Carlo method is used to calculate energies and density profiles for larger system sizes. We study the system properties for a wide range of interaction parameters. For the extreme values of these parameters, different correlation limits can be identified, where the correlations are either weak or strong. We investigate in detail how the correlation evolve between the limits. For balanced mixtures in the number of atoms in each species, the transition between the different limits involves sophisticated changes in the one- and two-body correlations. Particularly, we quantify the entanglement between the two components by means of the von Neumann entropy. We show that the limits equally exist when the number of atoms is increased, for balanced mixtures. Also, the changes in the correlations along the transitions among these limits are qualitatively similar. We also show that, for imbalanced mixtures, the same limits with similar transitions exist. Finally, for strongly imbalanced systems, only two limits survive, i.e., a miscible limit and a phase-separated one, resembling those expected with a mean-field approach.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figure

Dark-Bright Solitons in Inhomogeneous Bose-Einstein Condensates

We investigate dark-bright vector solitary wave solutions to the coupled non-linear Schr\"odinger equations which describe an inhomogeneous two-species Bose-Einstein condensate. While these structures are well known in non-linear fiber optics, we show that spatial inhomogeneity strongly affects their motion, stability, and interaction, and that current technology suffices for their creation and control in ultracold trapped gases. The effects of controllably different interparticle scattering lengths, and stability against three-dimensional deformations, are also examined.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure