Hidden variables and locality

Bell's problem of the possibility of a local hidden variable theory of quantum phenomena is considered in the context of the general problem of representing the statistical states of a quantum mechanical system by measures on a classical probability space, and Bell's result is presented as a generalization of Maczynski's theorem for maximal magnitudes. The proof of this generalization is shown to depend on the impossibility of recovering the quantum statistics for sequential probabilities in a classical representation without introducing a randomization process for the hidden variables. Hidden variable theories that exclude such a randomization process are termed strict, and it is shown that the class of local hidden variable theories is included in the class of strict theories. A counterargument by Freedman and Wigner is evaluated with reference to Clauser's extension of a hidden variable model proposed by Bell.     

The incompatibility between local hidden variable theories and the fundamental conservation laws

I discuss in detail the result that the Bell’s inequalities derived in the context of local hidden variable theories for discrete quantized observables can be satisfied only if a fundamental conservation law is violated on the average. This result shows that such theories are physically nonviable, and makes the demarcating criteria of the Bell’s inequalities redundant. I show that a unique correlation function can be derived from the validity of the conservation law alone and this coincides with the quantum mechanical correlation function. Thus, any theory with a different correlation function, like any local hidden variable theory, is incompatible with the fundamental conservation laws and space-time symmetries. The results are discussed in the context of two-particle singlet and triplet states, GHZ states, and two-particle double slit interferometry. Some observations on quantum entropy, entanglement, and nonlocality are also discussed.     

On Nonlocality of Quantum Objects

We present an option of the experiment with a correlated pair of particles in the entangled state, which provides the effect of a change in the polarization for entangled photons, and demonstrate the reality of all different superposition states and the corresponding vector of the quantum system state; also we analyze possible consequences of this fact. We propose a quantum realism paradigm within the relational paradigm instead of the local realism concept disproved by the experiments on verifying the Bell inequalities. We analyze the results of experimental research of the Leggett inequality violation with respect to the verification of the adequacy of different kinds of nonlocal hidden variable theories and suggest a new way of their evaluation based on the study of the photon cross-correlation suppression after a beam splitter and preparation of quantum squeezed states. We show that the interpretation based on the nonlocal hidden variable theory is inconsistent.     

Strengthened Bell inequalities for orthogonal spin directions

We provide bounds on correlations of locally orthogonal observables in two-qubit separable states. These bounds strengthen the Bell inequality and improve upon some alternative entanglement criteria. They provide necessary and sufficient criteria for separability of pure states and test the correlations allowed by local hidden variable models against those allowed by separable quantum states.     

Hidden variable models for quantum theory cannot have any local part

It was shown by Bell that no local hidden variable model is compatible with quantum mechanics. If, instead, one permits the hidden variables to be entirely nonlocal, then any quantum mechanical predictions can be recovered. In this Letter, we consider general hidden variable models which can have both local and nonlocal parts. We show the existence of (experimentally verifiable) quantum correlations that are incompatible with any hidden variable model having a nontrivial local part, such as the model proposed by Leggett.     

Compressing the hidden variable space of a qubit

In previously exhibited hidden variable models of quantum state preparation and measurement, the number of continuous hidden variables describing the actual state of single realizations is never smaller than the quantum state manifold dimension. We introduce a simple model for a qubit whose hidden variable space is one-dimensional, i.e., smaller than the two-dimensional Bloch sphere. The hidden variable probability distributions associated with quantum states satisfy reasonable criteria of regularity. Possible generalizations of this shrinking to an N-dimensional Hilbert space are discussed.     

Locality Violation with Spin-Type W States without Using Inequalities

Using even and odd coherent states, we define a new state, which is called the spin-type W state. With the spin-type W states, we provide a new scheme for testing fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics and refuting local hidden variable theory without using inequalities. Finally, a scheme for preparing the spin-type W states, and discussion of experimental possibility and the effect of the measurement on physical observables due to a close orthogonality of the two coherent states are given.     

Dynamics of a qubit as a classical stochastic process with time-correlated noise: minimal measurement invasiveness

So far it has been shown that the quantum dynamics cannot be described as a classical Markov process unless the number of classical states is uncountably infinite. In this Letter, we present a stochastic model with time-correlated noise that exactly reproduces any unitary evolution of a qubit and requires just four classical states. The invasive updating of only 1 bit during a measurement accounts for the quantum violation of the Leggett-Garg inequalities. Unlike in a pilot-wave theory, the stochastic forces governing the jumps among the four states do not depend on the quantum state but only on the unitary evolution. This model is used to derive a local hidden variable model, augmented by 1 bit of classical communication, for simulating entangled Bell states.     

Nonlocality and conservation laws in hidden variable theories

It is shown that any hidden variable model that reproduces quantum mechanics for a single particle must either be nonlocal or violate conservation of momentum. This is established by deriving an inequality which must hold in any local, momentum-conserving hidden variable model for a modified form of the double-slit experiment. It is then shown that any hidden variable model that reproduces quantum mechanics must violate the inequality. The inconsistency between the classical and quantum views of the world is therefore demonstrated in a new way.     

Nonlocality criteria for quantum teleportation

An upper bound for the fidelity of quantum teleportation explainable by local hidden variables is derived. This bound is larger than the fidelity corresponding to product states, i.e. to local quantum states. This is relevant for the study of mixed states. In particular, the fidelity of Werner's mixed state, known to be larger than the fidelity of product states, is found to be smaller than the fidelity explainable by local hidden variables. Hence the fidelity of Werner's mixed state does not exhibit nonclassical aspects.     

When is a hidden variable theory compatible with quantum mechanics?

This paper is devoted to a study of some of the basic conditions which have to be satisfied by a hidden variable theory in order that it can reproduce the quantum mechanical probabilities. Of course one such condition, which emerges from the important theorem of Bell, is that a hidden variable theory has to be non-local. It is shown that a hidden variable theory is also incompatible with the conventional interpretation of mixed states and the mixing operation in quantum theory. It is therefore concluded that, apart from being non-local, a hidden variable theory would also necessarily violate the usual assumption of quantum theory that the density operator provides an adequate characterization of any ensemble of systems, pure or mixed.     

Necessary and sufficient detection efficiency for the mermin inequalities

We prove that the threshold detection efficiency for a loophole-free Bell experiment using an n-qubit Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state and the correlations appearing in the n-partite Mermin inequality is n/(2n-2). If the detection efficiency is equal to or lower than this value, there are local hidden variable models that can simulate all the quantum predictions. If the detection efficiency is above this value, there is no local hidden variable model that can simulate all the quantum predictions.     

Tight upper bound on the quantum value of Svetlichny operators under local filtering and hidden genuine nonlocality

Nonlocal quantum correlations among the quantum subsystems play essential roles in quantum science. The violation of the Svetlichny inequality provides sufficient conditions of genuine tripartite nonlocality. We provide tight upper bounds on the maximal quantum value of the Svetlichny operators under local filtering operations, and present a qualitative analytical analysis on the hidden genuine nonlocality for three-qubit systems. We investigate in detail two classes of three-qubit states whose hidden genuine nonlocalities can be revealed by local filtering.     

On the Consequences of Retaining the General Validity of Locality in Physical Theory

The empirical validity of the locality (LOC) principle of relativity is used to argue in favour of a local hidden variable theory (HVT) for individual quantum processes. It is shown that such a HVT may reproduce the statistical predictions of quantum mechanics (QM), provided the reproducibility of initial hidden variable states is limited. This means that in a HVT limits should be set to the validity of the notion of counterfactual definiteness (CFD). This is supported by the empirical evidence that past, present, and future are basically distinct. Our argumentation is contrasted with a recent one by Stapp resulting in the opposite conclusion, i.e. nonlocality or the existence of faster-than-light influences. We argue that Stapps argumentation still depends in an implicit, but crucial, way on both the notions of hidden variables and of CFD. In addition, some implications of our results for the debate between Bohr and Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen are discussed.     

Empirical State Determination of Entangled Two-Level Systems and Its Relation to Information Theory

Theoretical methods for empirical state determination of entangled two-level systems are analyzed in relation to information theory. We show that hidden variable theories would lead to a Shannon index of correlation between the entangled subsystems which is larger than that predicted by quantum mechanics. Canonical representations which have maximal correlations are treated by the use of Schmidt and Hilbert-Schmidt decomposition of the entangled states, including especially the Bohm singlet state and the GHZ entangled states. We show that quantum mechanics does not violate locality, but does violate realism.     

Hiding bits in bell states.

We present a scheme for hiding bits in Bell states that is secure even when the sharers, Alice and Bob, are allowed to carry out local quantum operations and classical communication. We prove that the information that Alice and Bob can gain about a hidden bit is exponentially small in n, the number of qubits in each share, and can be made arbitrarily small for hiding multiple bits. We indicate an alternative efficient low-entanglement method for preparing the shared quantum states. We discuss how our scheme can be implemented using present-day quantum optics.     

Separability of Quantum States vs. Original Bell (1964) Inequalities

All separable states satisfy all Bell-type inequalities, which involve as their assumption only existence of local realistic (local hidden variable) models of the correlations of spatially separated systems, observed by two or more observers making independent decisions on what to measure (free will). The recent observation by Loubenets, that some separable states do not satisfy the original Bell inequality (1964) has no consequences whatsoever for the studies of the relation of separability with local realism. The original Bell inequality was derived using an additional assumption that the local results for a certain pair of local settings reveal perfect Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) correlations. Therefore violation of this inequality by some quantum predictions implies that either (i) the predictions do not allow a local realistic model, or (ii) the predictions do not have the required EPR correlations, or finally both (i) and (ii).     

Testing for non-locally correlated particle motions in the hydrogen atom

We report on an experiment to test for a separate proton spectrum for hydrogen. The null results is in direct violation with the predictions of local hidden variable theories, and supports either non-local quantum potential theories or an “orthodox” (Copenhagen) interpretation of quantum mechanics, where the reality of particles is not conserved.     

Hiding classical data in multipartite quantum states

We present a general technique for hiding a classical bit in multipartite quantum states. The hidden bit, encoded in the choice of one of two possible density operators, cannot be recovered by local operations and classical communication without quantum communication. The scheme remains secure if quantum communication is allowed between certain partners, and can be designed for any choice of quantum communication patterns to be secure, but to allow near perfect recovery for all other patterns. No entanglement is needed since the hiding states can be chosen to be separable. A single ebit of prior entanglement is not sufficient to break the scheme.     

Simple test for hidden variables in spin-1 systems

We resolve an old problem about the existence of hidden parameters in a three-dimensional quantum system by constructing an appropriate Bell's type inequality. This reveals the nonclassical nature of most spin-1 states. We shortly discuss some physical implications and an underlying cause of this nonclassical behavior, as well as a perspective of its experimental verification.