Generalized measures of quantum correlations for mixed states

The exponential speedup achieved in certain quantum algorithms based on mixed states with negligible entanglement has renewed the interest on alternative measures of quantum correlations. Here we discuss a general measure of quantum correlations for composite systems based on generalized entropic functions, defined as the minimum information loss due to a local measurement. For pure states, the present measure becomes an entanglement entropy, i.e., it reduces to the generalized entropy of the reduced state. However, for mixed states it can be nonzero in separable states, vanishing just for states diagonal in a general product basis, like the quantum discord. Quadratic measures of quantum correlations can be derived as particular cases of the present formalism. The minimum information loss due to a joint local measurement is also considered. The evaluation of these measures in a simple yet relevant case is also discussed.