Quantum mechanical probabilities and general probabilistic constraints for Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-Bohm experiments

Relativistic causality, namely, the impossibility of signaling at superluminal speeds, restricts the kinds of correlations which can occur between different parts of a composite physical system. Here we establish the basic restrictions which relativistic causality imposes on the joint probabilities involved in an experiment of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-Bohm type. Quantum mechanics, on the other hand, places further restrictions beyond those required by general considerations like causality and consistency. We illustrate this fact by considering the sum of correlations involved in the CHSH inequality. Within the general framework of the CHSH inequality, we also consider the nonlocality theorem derived by Hardy, and discuss the constraints that relativistic causality, on the one hand, and quantum mechanics, on the other hand, impose on it. Finally, we derive a simple inequality which can be used to test quantum mechanics against general probabilistic theories.Comment: LaTeX, 16 pages, no figures; Final version, to be published in Found. Phys. Letter

Chained Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality for Hardy's ladder test of nonlocality

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.Comment: 12 pages, 1 figur

Generalization of the Deutsch algorithm using two qudits

Deutsch's algorithm for two qubits (one control qubit plus one auxiliary qubit) is extended to two $d$-dimensional quantum systems or qudits for the case in which $d$ is equal to $2^n$, $n=1,2,...$ . This allows one to classify a certain oracle function by just one query, instead of the $2^{n-1}+1$ queries required by classical means. The given algorithm for two qudits also solves efficiently the Bernstein-Vazirani problem. Entanglement does not occur at any step of the computation.Comment: LaTeX file, 7 page

Bernoulli and Faulhaber

In a recent work, Zielinski used Faulhaber's formula to explain why the odd Bernoulli numbers are equal to zero. Here, we assume that the odd Bernoulli numbers are equal to zero to explain Faulhaber's formula.Comment: 5 pages; accepted in The Fibonacci Quarterl

Sums of powers of integers and hyperharmonic numbers

In this paper, we derive a formula for the sums of powers of the first $n$ positive integers, $S_k(n)$, that involves the hyperharmonic numbers and the Stirling numbers of the second kind. Then, using an explicit representation for the hyperharmonic numbers, we generalize this formula to the sums of powers of an arbitrary arithmetic progression. Moreover, we express the Bernoulli polynomials in terms of hyperharmonic polynomials and Stirling numbers of the second kind. Finally, we extend the obtained formula for $S_k(n)$ to negative values of $n$.Comment: 8 page

Comment on "Experimental realization of a three-qubit entangled W state"

Recently Eibl et al. [PRL 92, 077901 (2004)] reported the experimental observation of the three-photon polarization-entangled W state. In this Comment we point out that, actually, the particular measurements involved in the experiment testing Mermin's inequality cannot be used for the verification of the existence of genuinely quantal tripartite correlations in the observed state, and therefore this state cannot conclusively be identified with the W state.Comment: REVTeX4, 1 pag

Quantum perfect correlations and Hardy's nonlocality theorem

In this paper the failure of Hardy's nonlocality proof for the class of maximally entangled states is considered. A detailed analysis shows that the incompatibility of the Hardy equations for this class of states physically originates from the fact that the existence of quantum perfect correlations for the three pairs of two-valued observables (D_11,D_21), (D_11,D_22) and (D_12,D_21) [in the sense of having with certainty equal (different) readings for a joint measurement of any one of the pairs (D_11,D_21), (D_11,D_22), and (D_12,D_21)], necessarily entails perfect correlation for the pair of observables (D_12,D_22) [in the sense of having with certainty equal (different) readings for a joint measurement of the pair (D_12,D_22)]. Indeed, the set of these four perfect correlations is found to satisfy the CHSH inequality, and then no violations of local realism will arise for the maximally entangled state as far as the four observables D_ij, i,j = 1,2, are concerned. The connection between this fact and the impossibility for the quantum mechanical predictions to give the maximum possible theoretical violation of the CHSH inequality is pointed out. Moreover, it is generally proved that the fulfillment of all the Hardy nonlocality conditions necessarily entails a violation of the resulting CHSH inequality. The largest violation of this latter inequality is determined.Comment: LaTeX, 24 pages, 1 figur

A simple proof of the converse of Hardy's theorem

In this paper we provide a simple proof of the fact that for a system of two spin-1/2 particles, and for a choice of observables, there is a unique state which shows Hardy-type nonlocality. Moreover, an explicit expression for the probability that an ensemble of particle pairs prepared in such a state exhibits a Hardy-type nonlocality contradiction is given in terms of two independent parameters related to the observables involved. Incidentally, a wrong statement expressed in Mermin's proof of the converse [N.D. Mermin, Am. J. Phys. 62, 880 (1994)] is pointed out.Comment: LaTeX, 16 pages + 2 eps figure

Local hidden-variable models and negative-probability measures

Elaborating on a previous work by Han et al., we give a general, basis-independent proof of the necessity of negative probability measures in order for a class of local hidden-variable (LHV) models to violate the Bell-CHSH inequality. Moreover, we obtain general solutions for LHV-induced probability measures that reproduce any consistent set of probabilities.Comment: LaTeX file, 10 page

An alternative recursive formula for the sums of powers of integers

In this note, we derive an alternative recursive formula for the sums of powers of integers involving the Stirling numbers of the first kind. As a remarkable by-product, we provide a non-recursive definition of the Catalan numbers.Comment: 5 pages, submitte