Universal Three-Party Quantum Secret Sharing Against Collective Noise

we present a robust and universal quantum secret sharing protocol with four-qubit decoherence-free (DF) states against collective noise. The transmission's safety is ensured by the nonorthogonality of the noiseless states traveling on the quantum channel. Although this scheme uses entangled states for encoding, only single-particle product measurements are required.     

Experimental bound entanglement in a four-photon state

Bound entanglement is central to many exciting theoretical results in quantum information processing, but has thus far not been experimentally realized. In this work, we consider a one-parameter family of four-qubit Smolin states. We experimentally produce these states in the polarization of four optical photons produced from parametric down-conversion. Within a range of the parameter, we show that our states are entangled and undistillable, and thus bound entangled. Using these bound-entangled states we demonstrate entanglement unlocking.     

Long-distance quantum communication in a decoherence-free subspace

We show how to realize long-distance quantum communication using a long-lived quantum memory, which is embedded in a decoherence-free subspace (DFS). Neutral atoms were used in the present scheme, whose interactions are catalyzed by single photons or weak coherent light. The generation, purification and swapping of logical entangled states are performed with help of cavity-assisted photon scattering which is robust to random variation in the atom-photon coupling rate.     

Entangled photons and quantum communication

This article reviews the progress of quantum communication that utilizes photonic entanglement. We start with a survey of various methods for generating entangled photons, followed by an introduction of the theoretical principles and the experimental implementations of quantum key distribution. We then move on to a discussion of more involved quantum communication protocols including quantum dense coding, teleportation and quantum communication complexity. After that, we review the progress in free-space quantum communication, decoherence-free subspace, and quantum repeater protocols which are essential ingredients for long-distance quantum communication. Practical realizations of quantum repeaters, which require an interface between photons and quantum memories, are discussed briefly. Finally, we draw concluding remarks considering the technical challenges, and put forward an outlook on further developments of this field.     

Experimental detection of multipartite entanglement using witness operators

We present the experimental detection of genuine multipartite entanglement using entanglement witness operators. To this aim, we introduce a canonical way of constructing and decomposing witness operators so that they can be directly implemented with present technology. We apply this method to three- and four-qubit entangled states of polarized photons, giving experimental evidence that the considered states contain true multipartite entanglement.     

Entanglement Swapping for Cluster-Class States and Its Applications in Quantum Information Processing

Entanglement swapping for four-qubit cluster-class states is studied. It is shown that a four-qubit cluster state (maximally entangled) can be obtained with a certain probability from two four-qubit cluster-class states by entanglement swapping. The probability is related to the smallest superposition coefficient of the cluster-class states (when all the moduli of amplitudes are equivalent, they are the usual cluster states and the probability hits to one). Two examples for the applications of the entanglement swapping are also presented. One is quantum teleportation of an arbitrary two-qubit state via a quantum repeater, in which the success probability can be improved by the entanglement swapping when the quantum channels are general cluster-class states (partially entangled). The other is quantum key distribution, in which a secret random sequence of bits (a “key”) can be efficiently established between two distant parties by the entanglement swapping of two groups of cluster states.     

Correlation properties of entangled multiphoton states and Bernstein’s paradox

A normally ordered characteristic function (NOCF) of Bose operators is calculated for a number of discrete-variable entangled states (Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) and Werner (W) qubit states and a cluster state). It is shown that such NOCFs contain visual information on two types of correlations: pseudoclassical and quantum correlations. The latter manifest themselves in the interference terms of the NOCFs and lead to quantum paradoxes, whereas the pseudoclassical correlations of photons and their cumulants satisfy the relations for classical random variables. Three- and four-qubit states are analyzed in detail. An implementation of an analog of Bernstein’s paradox on discrete quantum variables is discussed. A measure of quantumness of an entangled state is introduced that is not related to the entropy approach. It is established that the maximum of the degree of quantumness substantiates the numerical values of the coefficients in multiqubit vector states derived from intuitive considerations.     

A Criterion to Identify Maximally Entangled Four-QubitState

Paolo Facchi, et al. [Phys. Rev. A77 (2008) 060304(R)] presented a maximally multipartite entangled state (MMES). Here, we give a criterion for the identification of maximally entangled four-qubit states. Using this criterion, we not only identify some existing maximally entangled four-qubit states in the literature, but also find several new maximally entangled four-qubit states as well.     

Generation of arbitrary four-atom entangled decoherence-free states

This paper proposes a scheme to generate arbitrary four-atom entangled decoherence-free states by using simple linear optical elements, four one-sided cavities in which four atoms are confined respectively. By conveniently tuning the titled angle of one half-wave plate, it can obtain arbitrary four-atom entangled decoherence-free states with a successful probability of 1 as long as there is no photon loss.     

Efficient single-photon generator based on entanglement between the emitter and field in a photonic crystal near the band edge

The possibility of using the long-lived entangled state between the emitter and field near the band edge of the density of states of a photonic crystal to create an efficient generator of single photons is considered. The generator can be efficiently excited by incoherent pumping, excludes simultaneous generation of two photons, and ensures a high probability of extracting the photon into a specified mode.     

Scheme for implementing perfect quantum teleportation with four-qubit entangled states in cavity quantum electrodynamics

Recently, Peng et al. [2010 Eur. Phys. J. D 58 403] proposed to teleport an arbitrary two-qubit state with a family of four-qubit entangled states, which simultaneously include the tensor product of two Bell states, linear cluster state and Dicke-class state. This paper proposes to implement their scheme in cavity quantum electrodynamics and then presents a new family of four-qubit entangled state |Ω₄>₁₂₃₄. It simultaneously includes all the well-known four-qubit entangled states which can be used to teleport an arbitrary two-qubit state. The distinct advantage of the scheme is that it only needs a single setup to prepare the whole family of four-qubit entangled states, which will be very convenient for experimental realization. After discussing the experimental condition in detail, we show the scheme may be feasible based on present technology in cavity quantum electrodynamics.     

Comment on“Teleportation Protocol of Three-Qubit State Using Four-Qubit Quantum Channels”

Recently, Choudhury (Int. J. Theor. Phys. 10, 1007 2016), proposed a teleportation protocol of three-qubit state using four-qubit quantum channels.According to their scheme the three-qubit entangled states could be teleported by use of three simultaneous quantum channels of four-qubit cluster states. In this paper,we emphasize that the same three-qubit entangled states can be teleported perfectly by using only one quantum channel of four-qubit cluster states.     

Quantum nonlocality of generic family of four-qubit entangled pure states

We directly introduce a Bell-type inequality for four-qubit systems. Using the inequality we investigate quantum nonlocality of a generic family of states |Gabcd[Phys. Rev. A 65 052112(2002)] and several canonical four-qubit entangled states. It has been demonstrated that the inequality is maximally violated by the so called "four-qubit the maximally entangled state |Gm" and it is also violated by four-qubit W state and a special family of states |Gab00. Moreover, a useful entanglement-nonlocality relationship for the family of states |Gab00is derived. Finally, we present a scheme of preparation of the state |Gmwith linear optics and cross-Kerr nonlinearities.     

Experiments of quantum nonlocality with polarization-momentum entangled photon pairs

We present the results of some experimental tests of quantum nonlocality performed by two-photon states, entangled both in polarization and momentum, namely hyperentangled states and two-photon four-qubit linear cluster states. These states, which double the number of available qubits with respect to the standard two-photon entangled states, are engineered by a simple experimental method, which adopts linear optics and a single type I nonlinear crystal. The tests of local realism performed with these states represent a generalization of the Greenberger, Home, and Zeilinger (GHZ) theorem to the case of two entangled particles.     

Testing the nonlocality of entangled states by a new Bell-like inequality

We test a new four-qubit entangled state by the former Bell-like inequalities and find that it violates these inequalities, but not maximally. According to this entangled state, we build a new Bell-like inequality, which is violated by this new state maximally. We also determine the nonlocality of some other four-qubit states by the new inequality. It is found that the new inequality acts as a strong entanglement witness for the new state. This can be used to test new entangled states experimentally.     

Realization and characterization of a two-photon four-qubit linear cluster state

We report on the experimental realization of a four-qubit linear cluster state via two photons entangled both in polarization and linear momentum. This state was investigated by performing tomographic measurements and by evaluating an entanglement witness. By use of this state we carried out a novel nonlocality proof, the so-called "stronger two observer all-versus-nothing" test of quantum nonlocality.     

Synthesis and analysis of entangled photonic qubits in spatial-parity space

We present the novel embodiment of a photonic qubit that makes use of one continuous spatial degree of freedom of a single photon and relies on the parity of the photon's transverse spatial distribution. Using optical spontaneous parametric down-conversion to produce photon pairs, we demonstrate the controlled generation of entangled-photon states in this new space. Specifically, two Bell states, and a continuum of their superpositions, are generated by simple manipulation of a classical parameter, the optical-pump spatial parity, and not by manipulation of the entangled photons themselves. An interferometric device, isomorphic in action to a polarizing beam splitter, projects the spatial-parity states onto an even-odd basis. This new physical realization of photonic qubits could be used as a foundation for future experiments in quantum information processing.     

Deterministic Remote Preparation of a Four-Qubit Cluster-Type Entangled State

We propose a scheme for remotely preparing a four-qubit cluster-type state with complex coefficients by using six EPR pairs as the quantum channel. To complete the remote state preparation scheme, a novel set of four-qubit mutually orthogonal basis vectors has been introduced. It is shown that, after the sender performs two different four-qubit projective measurements, the receiver can reconstruct the original state (to be prepared remotely) with unit successful probability. Moreover, the scheme is also generalized to the case that non-maximally two-qubit entangled states are taken as the quantum channel.     

Heralded path-entangled NOON states generation from a reconfigurable photonic chip

Maximal multi-photon entangled states, known as NOON states, play an essential role in quantum metrology. With the number of photons growing, NOON states are becoming increasingly powerful and advantageous for obtaining supersensitive and super-resolved measurements. In this paper, we propose a universal scheme for generating three- and four-photon path-entangled NOON states on a reconfigurable photonic chip via photons subtracted from pairs and detected by heralding counters. Our method is postselection free, enabling phase supersensitive measurements and sensing at the Heisenberg limit. Our NOON-state generator allows for integration of quantum light sources as well as practical and portable precision phase-related measurements.     

Usefulness of multiqubit W-type states in quantum information processing

We analyze the efficiency of multiqubit W-type states as resources for quantum information. For this, we identify and generalize four-qubit W-type states. Our results show that these states can be used as resources for deterministic quantum information processing. The utility of results, however, is limited by the availability of experimental setups to perform and distinguish multiqubit measurements. We therefore emphasize protocols where two users want to establish an optimal bipartite entanglement using the partially entangled W-type states. We find that for such practical purposes, four-qubit W-type states can be a better resource in comparison to three-qubit W-type states. For a dense coding protocol, our states can be used deterministically to send two bits of classical message by locally manipulating a single qubit. In addition, we also propose a realistic experimental method to prepare the four-qubit W-type states using standard unitary operations and weak measurements.