Multipartite entanglement in 2 x 2 x n quantum systems

We classify multipartite entangled states in the 2 x 2 x n (n >= 4) quantum system, for example the 4-qubit system distributed over 3 parties, under local filtering operations. We show that there exist nine essentially different classes of states, and they give rise to a five-graded partially ordered structure, including the celebrated Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) and W classes of 3 qubits. In particular, all 2 x 2 x n-states can be deterministically prepared from one maximally entangled state, and some applications like entanglement swapping are discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 3 eps figure

Asymptotic entanglement capacity of the Ising and anisotropic Heisenberg interactions

We compute the asymptotic entanglement capacity of the Ising interaction ZZ, the anisotropic Heisenberg interaction XX + YY, and more generally, any two-qubit Hamiltonian with canonical form K = a XX + b YY. We also describe an entanglement assisted classical communication protocol using the Hamiltonian K with rate equal to the asymptotic entanglement capacity.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure; minor corrections, conjecture adde

Functionality in single-molecule devices: Model calculations and applications of the inelastic electron tunneling signal in molecular junctions

We analyze how functionality could be obtained within single-molecule devices by using a combination of non-equilibrium Green's functions and ab-initio calculations to study the inelastic transport properties of single-molecule junctions. First we apply a full non-equilibrium Green's function technique to a model system with electron-vibration coupling. We show that the features in the inelastic electron tunneling spectra (IETS) of the molecular junctions are virtually independent of the nature of the molecule-lead contacts. Since the contacts are not easily reproducible from one device to another, this is a very useful property. The IETS signal is much more robust versus modifications at the contacts and hence can be used to build functional nanodevices. Second, we consider a realistic model of a organic conjugated molecule. We use ab-initio calculations to study how the vibronic properties of the molecule can be controlled by an external electric field which acts as a gate voltage. The control, through the gate voltage, of the vibron frequencies and (more importantly) of the electron-vibron coupling enables the construction of functionality: non-linear amplification and/or switching is obtained from the IETS signal within a single-molecule device.Comment: Accepted for publication in Journal of Chemical Physic

Variational Matrix Product Ansatz for Nonuniform Dynamics in the Thermodynamic Limit

We describe how to implement the time-dependent variational principle for matrix product states in the thermodynamic limit for nonuniform lattice systems. This is achieved by confining the nonuniformity to a (dynamically growable) finite region with fixed boundary conditions. The suppression of unphysical quasiparticle reflections from the boundary of the nonuniform region is also discussed. Using this algorithm we study the dynamics of localized excitations in infinite systems, which we illustrate in the case of the spin-1 anti-ferromagnetic Heisenberg model and the $\phi^4$ model.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, tensor network diagrams. Code available at http://amilsted.github.io/evoMPS

Nonlocal resources in the presence of Superselection Rules

Superselection rules severely alter the possible operations that can be implemented on a distributed quantum system. Whereas the restriction to local operations imposed by a bipartite setting gives rise to the notion of entanglement as a nonlocal resource, the superselection rule associated with particle number conservation leads to a new resource, the \emph{superselection induced variance} of local particle number. We show that, in the case of pure quantum states, one can quantify the nonlocal properties by only two additive measures, and that all states with the same measures can be asymptotically interconverted into each other by local operations and classical communication. Furthermore we discuss how superselection rules affect the concepts of majorization, teleportation and mixed state entanglement.Comment: 4 page

Separable states can be used to distribute entanglement

We show that no entanglement is necessary to distribute entanglement; that is, two distant particles can be entangled by sending a third particle that is never entangled with the other two. Similarly, two particles can become entangled by continuous interaction with a highly mixed mediating particle that never itself becomes entangled. We also consider analogous properties of completely positive maps, in which the composition of two separable maps can create entanglement.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. Slight modification

Normal forms and entanglement measures for multipartite quantum states

A general mathematical framework is presented to describe local equivalence classes of multipartite quantum states under the action of local unitary and local filtering operations. This yields multipartite generalizations of the singular value decomposition. The analysis naturally leads to the introduction of entanglement measures quantifying the multipartite entanglement (as generalizations of the concurrence and the 3-tangle), and the optimal local filtering operations maximizing these entanglement monotones are obtained. Moreover a natural extension of the definition of GHZ-states to e.g. $2\times 2\times N$ systems is obtained.Comment: Proof of uniqueness of normal form adde

Renormalization algorithm with graph enhancement

We introduce a class of variational states to describe quantum many-body systems. This class generalizes matrix product states which underly the density-matrix renormalization group approach by combining them with weighted graph states. States within this class may (i) possess arbitrarily long-ranged two-point correlations, (ii) exhibit an arbitrary degree of block entanglement entropy up to a volume law, (iii) may be taken translationally invariant, while at the same time (iv) local properties and two-point correlations can be computed efficiently. This new variational class of states can be thought of as being prepared from matrix product states, followed by commuting unitaries on arbitrary constituents, hence truly generalizing both matrix product and weighted graph states. We use this class of states to formulate a renormalization algorithm with graph enhancement (RAGE) and present numerical examples demonstrating that improvements over density-matrix renormalization group simulations can be achieved in the simulation of ground states and quantum algorithms. Further generalizations, e.g., to higher spatial dimensions, are outlined.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Quantum nonlocality in the presence of superselection rules and data hiding protocols

We consider a quantum system subject to superselection rules, for which certain restrictions apply to the quantum operations that can be implemented. It is shown how the notion of quantum-nonlocality has to be redefined in the presence of superselection rules: there exist separable states that cannot be prepared locally and exhibit some form of nonlocality. Moreover, the notion of local distinguishability in the presence of classical communication has to be altered. This can be used to perform quantum information tasks that are otherwise impossible. In particular, this leads to the introduction of perfect quantum data hiding protocols, for which quantum communication (eventually in the form of a separable but nonlocal state) is needed to unlock the secret.Comment: 4 page