Bell's theorem as a signature of nonlocality: a classical counterexample

For a system composed of two particles Bell's theorem asserts that averages of physical quantities determined from local variables must conform to a family of inequalities. In this work we show that a classical model containing a local probabilistic interaction in the measurement process can lead to a violation of the Bell inequalities. We first introduce two-particle phase-space distributions in classical mechanics constructed to be the analogs of quantum mechanical angular momentum eigenstates. These distributions are then employed in four schemes characterized by different types of detectors measuring the angular momenta. When the model includes an interaction between the detector and the measured particle leading to ensemble dependencies, the relevant Bell inequalities are violated if total angular momentum is required to be conserved. The violation is explained by identifying assumptions made in the derivation of Bell's theorem that are not fulfilled by the model. These assumptions will be argued to be too restrictive to see in the violation of the Bell inequalities a faithful signature of nonlocality.Comment: Extended manuscript. Significant change

Two destructive effects of decoherence on Bell inequality violation

We consider a system of two spin-1/2 particles, initially in an entangled Bell state. If one of the particles is interacting with an environment (e.g. a collection of N independent spins), the two-particle system undergoes decoherence. Using a simple model of decoherence, we show that this process has two consequences. First, the maximal amount by which the CHSH inequality is violated decays to zero. Second, the set of directions of measurement for which the inequality is violated is reduced in the course of decoherence. The volume of that set is bounded above by C|r|^2, where r is the decoherence factor. We obtain similar results for the case when each of the two particles is in interaction with a separate environment.Comment: v2: added results for decoherence due to interactions of both particles + minor changes; v3: minor change

Generation of GHZ and W states for stationary qubits in spin network via resonance scattering

We propose a simple scheme to establish entanglement among stationary qubits based on the mechanism of resonance scattering between them and a single-spin-flip wave packet in designed spin network. It is found that through the natural dynamical evolution of an incident single-spin-flip wave packet in a spin network and the subsequent measurement of the output single-spin-flip wave packet,multipartite entangled states among n stationary qubits, Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) and W states can be generated.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure

A generalized structure of Bell inequalities for bipartite arbitrary dimensional systems

We propose a generalized structure of Bell inequalities for arbitrary d-dimensional bipartite systems, which includes the existing two types of Bell inequalities introduced by Collins-Gisin-Linden-Massar-Popescu [Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 040404 (2002)] and Son-Lee-Kim [Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 060406 (2006)]. We analyze Bell inequalities in terms of correlation functions and joint probabilities, and show that the coefficients of correlation functions and those of joint probabilities are in Fourier transform relations. We finally show that the coefficients in the generalized structure determine the characteristics of quantum violation and tightness.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figur

An upper limit on CP violation in the Bs0−Bˉs0B^0_s-\bar{B}^0_s system

In a previous publication we noted that the time dependence of an incoherent $B^0-\bar{B}^0$ mixture undergoes a qualitative change when the magnitude of CP violation $\delta$ exceeds a critical value. Requiring, on physical grounds, that the system evolve from an initial incoherent state to a final pure state in a monotonic way, yields a new upper limit for $\delta$. The recent measurement of the wrong charge semileptonic asymmetry of $B_s^0$ mesons presented by the D0 collaboration is outside this bound by one standard deviation. If this result is confirmed it implies the existence of a new quantum mechanical oscillation phenomenon.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, version submitted for publication (Physical Review

A simultaneous generalization of independence and disjointness in boolean algebras

We give a definition of some classes of boolean algebras generalizing free boolean algebras; they satisfy a universal property that certain functions extend to homomorphisms. We give a combinatorial property of generating sets of these algebras, which we call n-independent. The properties of these classes (n-free and omega-free boolean algebras) are investigated. These include connections to hypergraph theory and cardinal invariants on these algebras. Related cardinal functions, $n$Ind, which is the supremum of the cardinalities of n-independent subsets; i_n, the minimum size of a maximal n-independent subset; and i_omega, the minimum size of an omega-independent subset, are introduced and investigated. The values of i_n and i_omega on P(omega)/fin are shown to be independent of ZFC.Comment: Sumbitted to Orde

Generating optimal states for a homodyne Bell test

Published versio

How much larger quantum correlations are than classical ones

Considering as distance between two two-party correlations the minimum number of half local results one party must toggle in order to turn one correlation into the other, we show that the volume of the set of physically obtainable correlations in the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-Bell scenario is (3 pi/8)^2 = 1.388 larger than the volume of the set of correlations obtainable in local deterministic or probabilistic hidden-variable theories, but is only 3 pi^2/32 = 0.925 of the volume allowed by arbitrary causal (i.e., no-signaling) theories.Comment: REVTeX4, 6 page

Creation and localization of entanglement in a simple configuration of coupled harmonic oscillators

We investigate a simple arrangement of coupled harmonic oscillators which brings out some interesting effects concerning creation of entanglement. It is well known that if each member in a linear chain of coupled harmonic oscillators is prepared in a ``classical state'', such as a pure coherent state or a mixed thermal state, no entanglement is created in the rotating wave approximation. On the other hand, if one of the oscillators is prepared in a nonclassical state (pure squeezed state, for instance), entanglement may be created between members of the chain. In the setup considered here, we found that a great family of nonclassical (squeezed) states can localize entanglement in such a way that distant oscillators never become entangled. We present a detailed study of this particular localization phenomenon. Our results may find application in future solid state implementations of quantum computers, and we suggest an electromechanical system consisting of an array of coupled micromechanical oscillators as a possible implementation.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, minor typos fixe

Dynamical Reduction Models: present status and future developments

We review the major achievements of the dynamical reduction program, showing why and how it provides a unified, consistent description of physical phenomena, from the microscopic quantum domain to the macroscopic classical one. We discuss the difficulties in generalizing the existing models in order to comprise also relativistic quantum field theories. We point out possible future lines of research, ranging from mathematical physics to phenomenology.Comment: 12 pages. Contribution to the Proceedings of the "Third International Workshop DICE2006", Castello di Piombino (Tuscany), September 11-15, 2006. Minor changes mad