Violation of a temporal bell inequality for single spins in a diamond defect center

Quantum nonlocality has been experimentally investigated by testing different forms of Bell's inequality, yet a loophole-free realization has not been achieved up to now. Much less explored are temporal Bell inequalities, which are not subject to the locality assumption, but impose a constraint on the system's time correlations. In this Letter, we report on the experimental violation of a temporal Bell's inequality using a nitrogen-vacancy (NV) defect in diamond and provide a novel quantitative test of quantum coherence. Such a test requires strong control over the system, and we present a new technique to initialize the electronic state of the NV with high fidelity, a necessary requirement also for reliable quantum information processing and/or the implementation of protocols for quantum metrology.     

Testing locality at colliders via Bell''s inequality?

We consider a measurement of correlated spins at LEP and show that it does not constitute a general test of local-realistic theories via Bell's inequality. The central point of the argument is that such tests, where the spins of two particles are inferred from a scattering distribution, can be described by a local hidden variable theory. We conclude that with present experimental techniques it is not possible to test locality via Bell's inequality at a collider experiment. Finally we suggest an improved fixed-target it is not possible to test locality via Bell's inequality at a collider experiment. Finally we suggest an improved fixed-target experiment as a viable test of Bell's inequality.     

Hidden Variables or Positive Probabilities?

Despite claims that Bell's inequalities are based on the Einstein locality condition, or equivalent, all derivations make an identical mathematical assumption that local hidden-variable theories produce a set of positive-definite probabilities for detecting a particle with a given spin orientation. The standard argument is that because quantum mechanics assumes that particles are emitted in a superposition of states the theory cannot produce such a set of probabilites. We examine a paper by Eberhard, and several similar papers, which claim to show that a generalized Bell inequality, the CHSH inequality, can be derived solely on the basis of the locality condition, without recourse to hidden variables. We point out that these authors nonetheless assumes a set of positive-definite probabilities, which supports the claim that hidden variables or locality is not at issue here, positive-definite probabilities are. We demonstrate that quantum mechanics does predict a set of probabilities that violate the CHSH inequality; however these probabilities are not positive-definite. Nevertheless, they are physically meaningful in that they give the usual quantum-mechanical predictions in physical situations. We discuss in what sense our results are related to the Wigner distribution.     

Local Hidden Variables Underpinning of Entanglement and Teleportation

Entangled states whose Wigner functions are non-negative may be viewed as being accounted for by local hidden variables (LHV). Recently, there were studies of Bell’s inequality violation (BIQV) for such states in conjunction with the well known theorem of Bell that precludes BIQV for theories that have LHV underpinning. We extend these studies to teleportation which is also based on entanglement. We investigate if, to what extent, and under what conditions may teleportation be accounted for via LHV theory. Our study allows us to expose the role of various quantum requirements. These are, e.g., the uncertainty relation among non-commuting operators, and the no-cloning theorem which forces the complete elimination of the teleported state at its initial port.     

Violations of Bell's Inequality in Synchronized Hyperchaos

Motivated by a parallel between quantum cryptography and chaos synchronization cryptography, we construct a Bell's inequality for a pair of synchronously coupled variable-order Generalized Rossler Systems, with arbitrarily binarized final states. In the infinite-order limit, although dynamical parameters cannot be extracted from the coupling signal in finite time, the inequality is violated, as with entangled quantum states. The violations are weaker than in quantum theory, vanishing as the differences between corresponding parameters of the coupled systems become small. The fact that Bell's inequality can be violated for a pair of classical systems that are not discernibly connected supports the possibility of a realist interpretation of quantum mechanics.     

Quantum α-entropy inequalities: independent condition for local realism?

Quantum α-entropy inequalities equivalent to Bell's inequality for pure states are considered in the context of the local hidden variable (LHV) model and compared with Bell's inequalities. For α = 1,2 they are shown to be satisfied by convex combinations of product states and Werner's mixtures admitting the model. The 2-entropy inequality is proven to be stronger than Bell's inequality in the case. In the latter, the α-entropy inequalities taken as a joint condition exclude teleportation admitted in spite of the existence of the LHV model for the Werner-Popescu states.     

Quantum Mechanics: Myths and Facts

A common understanding of quantum mechanics (QM) among students and practical users is often plagued by a number of “myths”, that is, widely accepted claims on which there is not really a general consensus among experts in foundations of QM. These myths include wave-particle duality, time-energy uncertainty relation, fundamental randomness, the absence of measurement-independent reality, locality of QM, nonlocality of QM, the existence of well-defined relativistic QM, the claims that quantum field theory (QFT) solves the problems of relativistic QM or that QFT is a theory of particles, as well as myths on black-hole entropy. The fact is that the existence of various theoretical and interpretational ambiguities underlying these myths does not yet allow us to accept them as proven facts. I review the main arguments and counterarguments lying behind these myths and conclude that QM is still a not-yet-completely-understood theory open to further fundamental research.     

Higher-order tensors and tests of quantum mechanics

We illustrate a generalization of Bell's inequality which is not limited to spin-1/2 or photon systems and does not depend on model-dependent assumptions. We then construct a specific class of examples, in terms of the decaying state and the correlated observables to be measured on the decay products, for which this inequality is violated by quantum mechanics. Finally we discuss the basic and practical problems involved in the measurement of these correlations.     

The geometry of violation of Bell''''s inequality

The purpose of this paper is to deduce an analytical expression for the violation of Bell's inequality by quantum theory and plane trigonometry, and expound the violation and maximal violation of the first, second type Bell's inequality in detail. Further, we find out the sufficient conditions for the region in which Bell's inequalities are violated.     

Generalized Observables,Bell’s Inequalities and Mixtures in the ESR Model for QM

The extended semantic realism (ESR) model proposes a new theoretical perspective which embodies the mathematical formalism of standard (Hilbert space) quantum mechanics (QM) into a noncontextual framework, reinterpreting quantum probabilities as conditional instead of absolute. We provide in this review an overall view on the present status of our research on this topic. We attain in a new, shortened way a mathematical representation of the generalized observables introduced by the ESR model and a generalization of the projection postulate of elementary QM. Basing on these results we prove that the Bell-Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (BCHSH) inequality, a modified BCHSH inequality and quantum predictions hold together in the ESR model because they refer to different parts of the picture of the physical world supplied by the model. Then we show that a new mathematical representation of mixtures must be introduced in the ESR model which does not coincide with the standard representation in QM and avoids some deep problems that arise from the representation of mixtures provided by QM. Finally we get a nontrivial generalization of the Lüders postulate, which is justified in a special case by introducing a reasonable physical assumption on the evolution of the compound system made up of the measured system and the measuring apparatus.     

Stronger quantum correlations with loophole-free postselection

One of the most striking nonclassical features of quantum mechanics is in the correlations it predicts between spatially separated measurements. In local hidden variable theories, correlations are constrained by Bell inequalities, but quantum correlations violate these. However, experimental imperfections lead to loopholes whereby LHV correlations are no longer constrained by Bell inequalities, and violations can be described by LHV theories. For example, loopholes can emerge through selective detection of events. In this Letter, we introduce a clean, operational picture of multiparty Bell tests, and show that there exists a nontrivial form of loophole-free postselection. Surprisingly, the same postselection can enhance quantum correlations, and unlock a connection between nonclassical correlations and nonclassical computation.     

The Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen Effect: Paradox or Gate?

The Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) paradox represents one of the most controversial aspects of quantum mechanics (QM). In this paper, we suggest that it can be solved by taking into account the fact that physical quantum phenomena can be extended backward in time (i.e. we take into account two arrows of time instead of one). We derive such a strong statement as a consequence of symmetries and conservation laws implying field equations which are invariant under time reversal. Our approach, violating Einstein's locality postulate, confirms QM predictions and explains the failure of Bell's inequalities.     

The Present Situation in Quantum Theory and its Merging with General Relativity

We discuss the problems of quantum theory (QT) complicating its merging with general relativity (GR). QT is treated as a general theory of micro-phenomena—a bunch of models. Quantum mechanics (QM) and quantum field theory (QFT) are the most widely known (but, e.g., Bohmian mechanics is also a part of QT). The basic problems of QM and QFT are considered in interrelation. For QM, we stress its nonrelativistic character and the presence of spooky action at a distance. For QFT, we highlight the old problem of infinities. And this is the main point of the paper: it is meaningless to try to unify QFT so heavily suffering of infinities with GR. We also highlight difficulties of the QFT-treatment of entanglement. We compare the QFT and QM based measurement theories by presenting both theoretical and experimental viewpoints. Then we discuss two basic mathematical constraints of both QM and QFT, namely, the use of real (and, hence, complex) numbers and the Hilbert state space. We briefly present non-archimedean and non-hilbertian approaches to QT and their consequences. Finally, we claim that, in spite of the Bell theorem, it is still possible to treat quantum phenomena on the basis of a classical-like causal theory. We present a random field model generating the QM and QFT formalisms. This emergence viewpoint can serve as the basis for unification of novel QT (may be totally different from presently powerful QM and QFT) and GR. (It may happen that the latter would also be revolutionary modified.)     

Violation of Locality Beyond Bell's Theorem for Multiparticle Perfect Correlations

We present the analogous inequalities of Bell's inequality for N-qubit system predicted respectively by realistic theory, quantum mechanics, local theory, local realistic theory, and local quantum theory on the same Bell-type joint experiment. It is shown that quantum mechanics can be interpreted by hidden-variable theories while being incompatible to any local theory. A necessary condition for the separability of N-qubit system is derived.     

Violation of bell's inequalities with a local theory of photons

We use a local theory of photons purely as particles to model the single-photon experiment proposed by Tan, Walls, and Collett. Like Tanet al. we are able to derive a violation of Bell's inequalities, but our local probabilistic theory does not use any specific quantum mechanical assumptions or calculations.     

Proof of Kolmogorovian censorship

Many argued (Accardi and Fedullo, Pitowsky) that Kolmogorov's axioms of classical probability theory are incompatible with quantum probabilities, and that this is the reason for the violation of Bell's inequalities. Szabó showed that, in fact, these inequalities are not violated by the experimentally observed frequencies if we consider the real, “effective” frequencies. We prove in this work a theorem which generalizes this results: “effective” frequencies associated to quantum events always admit a Kolmogorovian representation, when these events are collected through different experimental setups, the choice of which obeys a classical distribution.     

On the relation between Bell's inequalities and nonlocal games

We investigate the relation between Bell's inequalities and nonlocal games by presenting a systematic method for their bilateral conversion. In particular, we show that while to any nonlocal game there naturally corresponds a unique Bell's inequality, the converse is not true. As an illustration of the method we present a number of nonlocal games that admits better odds when played using quantum resources.     

Criticizing Bell: Local realism and quantum physics reconciled

A typical sample of Bell's inequality is proved to require, besides the standard assumptions on realism and locality, the adoption of a metatheoretical classical principle for interpreting quantum laws. A new principle is proposed which is consistent with the operational philosophy of quantum physics; it is then shown that, whenever the latter principle is adopted in place of the former, realism (here intended in a purely semantical sense) and locality do not imply Bell's inequality in the form considered here, but a new inequality which is not violated in quantum physics. Thus an interpretation of quantum physics that is (semantically) realistic and local is suggested, which eliminates a number of seeming paradoxes.     

Quantum Theory Without Hilbert Spaces

Quantum theory does not only predict probabilities, but also relative phases for any experiment, that involves measurements of an ensemble of systems at different moments of time. We argue, that any operational formulation of quantum theory needs an algebra of observables and an object that incorporates the information about relative phases and probabilities. The latter is the (de)coherence functional, introduced by the consistent histories approach to quantum theory. The acceptance of relative phases as a primitive ingredient of any quantum theory, liberates us from the need to use a Hilbert space and non-commutative observables. It is shown, that quantum phenomena are adequately described by a theory of relative phases and non-additive probabilities on the classical phase space. The only difference lies on the type of observables that correspond to sharp measurements. This class of theories does not suffer from the consequences of Bell's theorem (it is not a theory of Kolmogorov probabilities) and Kochen–Specker's theorem (it has distributive logic). We discuss its predictability properties, the meaning of the classical limit and attempt to see if it can be experimentally distinguished from standard quantum theory. Our construction is operational and statistical, in the spirit of Copenhagen, but makes plausible the existence of a realist, geometric theory for individual quantum systems.