53 research outputs found
No extension of quantum theory can have improved predictive power
According to quantum theory, measurements generate random outcomes, in stark
contrast with classical mechanics. This raises the question of whether there
could exist an extension of the theory which removes this indeterminism, as
suspected by Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen (EPR). Although this has been shown
to be impossible, existing results do not imply that the current theory is
maximally informative. Here we ask the more general question of whether any
improved predictions can be achieved by any extension of quantum theory. Under
the assumption that measurements can be chosen freely, we answer this question
in the negative: no extension of quantum theory can give more information about
the outcomes of future measurements than quantum theory itself. Our result has
significance for the foundations of quantum mechanics, as well as applications
to tasks that exploit the inherent randomness in quantum theory, such as
quantum cryptography.Comment: 6 pages plus 7 of supplementary material, 3 figures. Title changed.
Added discussion on Bell's notion of locality. FAQ answered at
http://perimeterinstitute.ca/personal/rcolbeck/FAQ.htm
Free randomness can be amplified
Are there fundamentally random processes in nature? Theoretical predictions,
confirmed experimentally, such as the violation of Bell inequalities, point to
an affirmative answer. However, these results are based on the assumption that
measurement settings can be chosen freely at random, so assume the existence of
perfectly free random processes from the outset. Here we consider a scenario in
which this assumption is weakened and show that partially free random bits can
be amplified to make arbitrarily free ones. More precisely, given a source of
random bits whose correlation with other variables is below a certain
threshold, we propose a procedure for generating fresh random bits that are
virtually uncorrelated with all other variables. We also conjecture that such
procedures exist for any non-trivial threshold. Our result is based solely on
the no-signalling principle, which is necessary for the existence of free
randomness.Comment: 5+7 pages, 2 figures. Updated to match published versio
Conclusive quantum steering with superconducting transition edge sensors
Quantum steering allows two parties to verify shared entanglement even if one
measurement device is untrusted. A conclusive demonstration of steering through
the violation of a steering inequality is of considerable fundamental interest
and opens up applications in quantum communication. To date all experimental
tests with single photon states have relied on post-selection, allowing
untrusted devices to cheat by hiding unfavourable events in losses. Here we
close this "detection loophole" by combining a highly efficient source of
entangled photon pairs with superconducting transition edge sensors. We achieve
an unprecedented ~62% conditional detection efficiency of entangled photons and
violate a steering inequality with the minimal number of measurement settings
by 48 standard deviations. Our results provide a clear path to practical
applications of steering and to a photonic loophole-free Bell test.Comment: Preprint of 7 pages, 3 figures; the definitive version is published
in Nature Communications, see below. Also, see related experimental work by
A. J. Bennet et al., arXiv:1111.0739 and B. Wittmann et al., arXiv:1111.076
Effect of water composition and timing of ingestion on urinary lithogenic profile in healthy volunteers: a randomized crossover trial
- …