Entropic Test of Quantum Contextuality

We study the contextuality of a three-level quantum system using classical conditional entropy of measurement outcomes. First, we analytically construct the minimal configuration of measurements required to reveal contextuality. Next, an entropic contextual inequality is formulated, analogous to the entropic Bell inequalities derived by Braunstein and Caves in [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 61}, 662 (1988)], that must be satisfied by all non-contextual theories. We find optimal measurements for violation of this inequality. The approach is easily extendable to higher dimensional quantum systems and more measurements. Our theoretical findings can be verified in the laboratory with current technology.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Quantum leap: how to complete a quantum walk in a single step

Quantum walks provide simple models of various fundamental processes. It is pivotal to know when the dynamics underlying a walk lead to quantum advantages just by examining its statistics. A walk with many indistinguishable particles and measurements of non-classical multi-particle correlations is likely to reveal the quantum nature. The number of elements $O(n)$ in a setup realizing walks grows with their length or spread $n$. We introduce the concept of a quantum leap, a process which can be achieved with fewer or complementary resources and which in a single step simulates another long process. The process and its leap are described by the same Hamiltonian but, the latter parametrizes the evolution with a tunable parameter of a setup. In the case of walks, a leap immediately gives a probability distribution which results only after many steps. This may be appealing for simulation of processes which are lengthy or require dynamical control. We discuss a leap based on the multi-particle Hong--Ou--Mandel interference, an inherently quantum phenomenon. It reproduces a quantum walk enabling perfect state transfer through spin chains. It requires a beam splitter, two detectors and $n$ particles to mimic a walk on a chain of size $O(n)$, for time fixed by beam-splitter's reflectivity. Our results apply to a broad class of systems where the HOM-like effects can be observed, and may constitute a new approach to simulation of complex Hamiltonians with passive interferometers

Local Realism of Macroscopic Correlations

We show that for macroscopic measurements which cannot reveal full information about microscopic states of the system, the monogamy of Bell inequality violations present in quantum mechanics implies that practically all correlations between macroscopic measurements can be described by local realistic models. Our results hold for sharp measurement and arbitrary closed quantum systems.Comment: 9 pages incl. one Appendix, 2 figure

Reference frames for Bell inequality violation in the presence of superselection rules

Superselection rules (SSRs) constrain the allowed states and operations in quantum theory. They limit preparations and measurements and hence impact our ability to observe non-locality, in particular the violation of Bell inequalities. We show that a reference frame compatible with a particle number SSR does not allow observers to violate a Bell inequality if and only if it is prepared using only local operations and classical communication. In particular, jointly prepared separable reference frames are sufficient for obtaining violations of a Bell inequality. We study the size and non-local properties of such reference frames using superselection-induced variance. These results suggest the need for experimental Bell tests in the presence of superselection

Basal-plane Incommensurate Phases in HCP Structures

An Ising model with competing interaction is used to study the appearance of incommensurate phases in the basal plane of an hexagonal closed-packed structure. The calculated mean-field phase diagram reveals various 1q-incommensurate and lock-in phases. The results are applied to explain the basal-plane incommensurate phase in some compounds of the A'A"BX_4 family, like K_2MoO_4, K_2WO_4, Rb_2WO4 and to describe the sequence of high-temperature phase transitions in other compounds of this family.Comment: 8 pages, RevTeX + 4 ps figure

Thermodynamics of the incommensurate state in Rb_2WO_4: on the Lifshitz point in A`A``BX_4 compounds

We consider the evolution of the phase transition from the parent hexagonal phase $P6_{3}/mmc$ to the orthorhombic phase $Pmcn$ that occurs in several compounds of $A'A''BX_{4}$ family as a function of the hcp lattice parameter $c/a$. For compounds of $K_{2}SO_{4}$ type with $c/a$ larger than the threshold value 1.26 the direct first-order transition $Pmcn-P6_{3}/mmc$ is characterized by the large entropy jump $Rln2$. For compounds $Rb_{2}WO_{4}$, $K_{2}MoO_{4}$, $K_{2}WO_{4}$ with $c/a<1.26$ this transition occurs via an intermediate incommensurate $(Inc)$ phase. DSC measurements were performed in $Rb_{2}WO_{4}$ to characterize the thermodynamics of the $Pmcn-Inc-P6_{3}/mmc$ transitions. It was found that both transitions are again of the first order with entropy jumps $0.2Rln2 and$0.3Rln2$. Therefore, at$c/a ~ 1.26$the$A'A''BX_{4}$compounds reveal an unusual Lifshitz point where three first order transition lines meet. We propose the coupling of crystal elasticity with$BX_{4}$ tetrahedra orientation as a possible source of the transitions discontinuity.Comment: 13 pages,1 Postscript figure. Submitted as Brief Report to Phys. Rev. B, this paper reports a new work in Theory and Experiment, directed to Structural Phase Transition

Quantum walks: a comprehensive review

Quantum walks, the quantum mechanical counterpart of classical random walks, is an advanced tool for building quantum algorithms that has been recently shown to constitute a universal model of quantum computation. Quantum walks is now a solid field of research of quantum computation full of exciting open problems for physicists, computer scientists, mathematicians and engineers. In this paper we review theoretical advances on the foundations of both discrete- and continuous-time quantum walks, together with the role that randomness plays in quantum walks, the connections between the mathematical models of coined discrete quantum walks and continuous quantum walks, the quantumness of quantum walks, a summary of papers published on discrete quantum walks and entanglement as well as a succinct review of experimental proposals and realizations of discrete-time quantum walks. Furthermore, we have reviewed several algorithms based on both discrete- and continuous-time quantum walks as well as a most important result: the computational universality of both continuous- and discrete- time quantum walks.Comment: Paper accepted for publication in Quantum Information Processing Journa

Hysteresis in Pressure-Driven DNA Denaturation

In the past, a great deal of attention has been drawn to thermal driven denaturation processes. In recent years, however, the discovery of stress-induced denaturation, observed at the one-molecule level, has revealed new insights into the complex phenomena involved in the thermo-mechanics of DNA function. Understanding the effect of local pressure variations in DNA stability is thus an appealing topic. Such processes as cellular stress, dehydration, and changes in the ionic strength of the medium could explain local pressure changes that will affect the molecular mechanics of DNA and hence its stability. In this work, a theory that accounts for hysteresis in pressure-driven DNA denaturation is proposed. We here combine an irreversible thermodynamic approach with an equation of state based on the Poisson-Boltzmann cell model. The latter one provides a good description of the osmotic pressure over a wide range of DNA concentrations. The resulting theoretical framework predicts, in general, the process of denaturation and, in particular, hysteresis curves for a DNA sequence in terms of system parameters such as salt concentration, density of DNA molecules and temperature in addition to structural and configurational states of DNA. Furthermore, this formalism can be naturally extended to more complex situations, for example, in cases where the host medium is made up of asymmetric salts or in the description of the (helical-like) charge distribution along the DNA molecule. Moreover, since this study incorporates the effect of pressure through a thermodynamic analysis, much of what is known from temperature-driven experiments will shed light on the pressure-induced melting issue

Multi-bloch vector representation of the qutrit

Quantum Information and Computation115-60361-037

Concept of a system for training of bioprosthetic hand control in one side handless humans using virtual reality and visual and sensory biofeedback

In the paper the concept of a training system is presented which can help to stimulate sensory-motor cortex centers in order to develop their ability for efficient use of bioprosthesis. The basis of the training system is a virtual reality with a virtual hand, that the trained patient can move and concurrently observe the movement on the screen (visual feedback) and whose contact with virtual objects the patient may feel as a touch (sensory feedback). The construction of the virtual hand consists of physical elements, connected by joints, a graphical object representing the structure of the hand and the bones enable its deformation. The control procedure of virtual hand is realized through recognition of intention of hand motion on the basis of EMG signals coming from the stump muscles. The recognition algorithm is constructed using the learning set, i.e the set of pairs containing the class of hand fingers movement and accompanying myopotentials segments, which are acquired from the muscles of healthy hand