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arXiv:1512.00262 · Physical Review Letters

Algorithmic Construction of Local Hidden Variable Models for Entangled Quantum States

Flavien Hirsch, Marco Túlio Quintino, Tamás Vértesi, Matthew F. Pusey, Nicolas Brunner

Published Nov 4, 2016• 76 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Constructing local hidden variable (LHV) models for entangled quantum states is a fundamental problem, with implications for the foundations of quantum theory and for quantum information processing. It is, however, a challenging problem, as the model should reproduce quantum predictions for all possible local measurements. Here we present a simple method for building LHV models, applicable to any entangled state and considering continuous sets of measurements. This leads to a sequence of tests which, in the limit, fully captures the set of quantum states admitting a LHV model. Similar methods are developed for local hidden state models. We illustrate the practical relevance of these methods with several examples.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.117.190402

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•Dec 1, 2015•3 citations
Constructing local hidden variable (LHV) models for entangled quantum states is a fundamental problem, with implications for the foundations of quantum theory and for quantum information processing. It is, however, a challenging problem, as the model should reproduce quantum predictions for all possible local measurements. Here we present a simple method for building LHV models, applicable to any entangled state and considering continuous sets of measurements. This leads to a sequence of tests which, in the limit, fully captures the set of quantum states admitting a LHV model. Similar methods are developed for local hidden state models. We illustrate the practical relevance of these methods with several examples.
Measurement correlations in quantum systems can exhibit nonlocal behavior, a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics with applications such as device-independent quantum information processing. However, it is in general not known which states are local and which ones are not. In particular, it remains an outstanding challenge to explicitly construct local hidden-variable (LHV) models for arbitrary multipartite entangled states. To address this, we use gradient-descent algorithms from machine learning to find LHV models that reproduce the statistics of arbitrary measurements for quantum many-body states. In contrast to previous approaches, our method employs a general ansatz, enabling it to discover LHV models for all local states. Therefore, it for example provides actual estimates for the critical noise levels at which two-qubit Werner states and three-qubit Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger and W states become local. Furthermore, we find evidence suggesting that two-spin subsystems in the ground states of translationally invariant Hamiltonians are genuinely local, while bigger subsystems are in general not. Our method now offers a quantitative tool for determining the regimes of nonlocality in any given physical context, such as nonequilibrium, decoherence, or disorder.
The correlations of certain entangled quantum states can be fully reproduced via a local model. We discuss in detail the practical implementation of an algorithm for constructing local models for entangled states, recently introduced by Hirsch et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 190402 (2016)] and Cavalcanti et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 190401 (2016)]. The method allows one to construct both local hidden state (LHS) and local hidden variable (LHV) models, and can be applied to arbitrary entangled states in principle. Here, we develop a systematic implementation of the algorithm, discussing the choice of the free parameters. For the case of two-qubit states, we design a ready-to-use procedure. This allows us to construct LHS models (for projective measurements) that are almost optimal, as we show for Bell diagonal states, for which the optimal model has recently been derived. Finally, we show how to construct fully analytical local models, based on the output of the convex optimization procedure.
An alternative method of detection-loophole-free Bell test is proposed using local hidden variable (LHV) models with optimal detection efficiencies. A framework for constructing such optimal LHV models is presented. Optimal LHV models for maximally and non-maximally entangled twopartite states are constructed to reproduce the quantum correlations within the critical detection efficiencies. The LHV models are shown to be completely equivalent with the existing twopartite Bell inequalities in their optimized setups, and to have even lower critical efficiencies in the LHV modes' own optimized setups. Applications in Bell tests and in device-independent quantum information processing are discussed.
The statistics of local measurements performed on certain entangled states can be reproduced using a local hidden variable (LHV) model. While all known models make use of an infinite amount of shared randomness, we show that essentially all entangled states admitting a LHV model can be simulated with finite shared randomness. Our most economical model simulates noisy two-qubit Werner states using only log_{2}(12)≃3.58 bits of shared randomness. We also discuss the case of positive operator valued measures, and the simulation of nonlocal states with finite shared randomness and finite communication. Our work represents a first step towards quantifying the cost of LHV models for entangled quantum states.
Bell nonlocality is an intriguing property of quantum mechanics with far reaching consequences for information processing, philosophy and our fundamental understanding of nature. However, nonlocality is a statement about static correlations only. It does not take into account dynamics, i.e. time evolution of those correlations. Consider a dynamic situation where the correlations remain local for all times. Then at each moment in time there exists a local hidden-variable (LHV) model reproducing the momentary correlations. Can the time evolution of the correlations then be captured by evolving the hidden variables? In this light, we define dynamical LHV models and motivate and discuss potential additional physical and mathematical assumptions. Based on a simple counter example we conjecture that such LHV dynamics does not always exist. This is further substantiated by a rigorous no-go theorem. Our results suggest a new type of nonlocality that can be deduced from the observed time evolution of measurement statistics and which generically occurs in interacting quantum systems.
We present a general criterion for deciding the existence of local-hidden-state (LHS) models and consequently local-hidden-variable (LHV) models for arbitrary states that can be implemented by semidefinite programming. This method can be applied to any given state and general (POVM) measurements and can also be adapted to generate random states with LHS models. As applications we provide an estimate of the fraction of two-qubit entangled states that have LHS models, and present new explicit examples of such states, including Bell-diagonal states, and noisy GHZ and W states. We also generate a list of 750000 new entangled two-qubit states with LHS model for projective measurements, 1500 for POVM measurements, and 150 genuine multipartite entangled three-qubit local states.