We provide a complete mathematical theory for the entanglement of mixtures of Dicke states. These quantum states form an important subclass of bosonic states arising in the study of indistinguishable particles. We introduce a tensor-based parametrization where the diagonal entries of these states are encoded as a symmetric tensor, enabling a direct translation between entanglement properties and well-studied convex cones of tensors. Our results bridge multipartite entanglement theory with semialgebraic geometry and the theory of completely positive and copositive tensors. This dictionary maps separability to completely positive tensors, the PPT property to moment tensors, entanglement witnesses to copositive tensors, and decomposable witnesses to sum of squares tensors. Using this framework, we construct explicit PPT entangled states in three or more qutrits, disproving a recent conjecture. We establish that PPT entanglement exists for all multipartite systems with local dimension d >= 3 and n >= 3 parties. We also show that, for mixtures of Dicke states, the PPT condition with respect to the most balanced bipartition implies all other PPT conditions. We further connect bosonic extendibility of mixtures of Dicke states to the duals of known hierarchies for non-negative polynomials, such as the ones by Reznick and Polya. We thus provide semidefinite programming relaxations for separability and entanglement testing in the Dicke subspace.We provide a complete mathematical theory for the entanglement of mixtures of Dicke states. These quantum states form an important subclass of bosonic states arising in the study of indistinguishable particles. We introduce a tensor-based parametrization where the diagonal entries of these states are encoded as a symmetric tensor, enabling a direct translation between entanglement properties and well-studied convex cones of tensors. Our results bridge multipartite entanglement theory with semialgebraic geometry and the theory of completely positive and copositive tensors. This dictionary maps separability to completely positive tensors, the PPT property to moment tensors, entanglement witnesses to copositive tensors, and decomposable witnesses to sum of squares tensors. Using this framework, we construct explicit PPT entangled states in three or more qutrits, disproving a recent conjecture. We establish that PPT entanglement exists for all multipartite systems with local dimension d >= 3 and n >= 3 parties. We also show that, for mixtures of Dicke states, the PPT condition with respect to the most balanced bipartition implies all other PPT conditions. We further connect bosonic extendibility of mixtures of Dicke states to the duals of known hierarchies for non-negative polynomials, such as the ones by Reznick and Polya. We thus provide semidefinite programming relaxations for separability and entanglement testing in the Dicke subspace.

quant-pharXiv:2602.15800QuantumFeb 18, 20261 citation

Separability of mixed Dicke states: an NP-hard optimization problem

Jordi Tura, Albert Aloy, Ruben Quesada +2 more

We study the separability problem in mixtures of Dicke states i.e., the separability of the so-called Diagonal Symmetric (DS) states. First, we show that separability in the case of DS in $C^d\otimes C^d$ (symmetric qudits) can be reformulated as a quadratic conic optimization problem. This connection allows us to exchange concepts and ideas between quantum information and this field of mathematics. For instance, copositive matrices can be understood as indecomposable entanglement witnesses for DS states. As a consequence, we show that positivity of the partial transposition (PPT) is sufficient and necessary for separability of DS states for $d \leq 4$ . Furthermore, for $d \geq 5$ , we provide analytic examples of PPT-entangled states. Second, we develop new sufficient separability conditions beyond the PPT criterion for bipartite DS states. Finally, we focus on $N$ -partite DS qubits, where PPT is known to be necessary and sufficient for separability. In this case, we present a family of almost DS states that are PPT with respect to each partition but nevertheless entangled.We study the separability problem in mixtures of Dicke states i.e., the separability of the so-called Diagonal Symmetric (DS) states. First, we show that separability in the case of DS in $C^d\otimes C^d$ (symmetric qudits) can be reformulated as a quadratic conic optimization problem. This connection allows us to exchange concepts and ideas between quantum information and this field of mathematics. For instance, copositive matrices can be understood as indecomposable entanglement witnesses for DS states. As a consequence, we show that positivity of the partial transposition (PPT) is sufficient and necessary for separability of DS states for $d \leq 4$. Furthermore, for $d \geq 5$, we provide analytic examples of PPT-entangled states. Second, we develop new sufficient separability conditions beyond the PPT criterion for bipartite DS states. Finally, we focus on $N$-partite DS qubits, where PPT is known to be necessary and sufficient for separability. In this case, we present a family of almost DS states that are PPT with respect to each partition but nevertheless entangled.

Jun 28, 20173 citations

Necessary and sufficient condition of separability for D -symmetric diagonal states

A. Rutkowski, Michał Banacki, Marcin Marciniak

For multipartite states, we consider a notion of $D$ symmetry. For a system of $N$ qubits, it coincides with the usual permutational symmetry. In the case of $N$ qudits ($d\ensuremath{\ge}3$), the $D$ symmetry is stronger than the permutational one. For the space of all $\mathrm{D}$ -symmetric vectors in ${({\mathbb{C}}^{d})}^{\ensuremath{\bigotimes}N}$, we define a basis composed of vectors ${|{R}_{N,d;k}\ensuremath{\rangle}:\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}0\ensuremath{\le}k\ensuremath{\le}N(d\ensuremath{-}1)}$ which are analogs of Dicke states. The aim of this paper is to discuss the problem of separability of $D$ -symmetric states which are diagonal in the basis ${|{R}_{N,d;k}\ensuremath{\rangle}}$. We show that if $N$ is even and $d\ensuremath{\ge}2$ is arbitrary then a positive partial transposition property is a necessary and sufficient condition of separability for $D$ -invariant diagonal states. In this way, we generalize results obtained by Yu [Phys. Rev. A 94, 060101(R) (2016)] and Wolfe and Yelin [Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 140402 (2014)]. Our strategy is to use some classical mathematical results on a moment problem.For multipartite states, we consider a notion of $D$ symmetry. For a system of $N$ qubits, it coincides with the usual permutational symmetry. In the case of $N$ qudits ($d\ensuremath{\ge}3$), the $D$ symmetry is stronger than the permutational one. For the space of all $\mathrm{D}$-symmetric vectors in ${({\mathbb{C}}^{d})}^{\ensuremath{\bigotimes}N}$, we define a basis composed of vectors ${|{R}_{N,d;k}\ensuremath{\rangle}:\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}0\ensuremath{\le}k\ensuremath{\le}N(d\ensuremath{-}1)}$ which are analogs of Dicke states. The aim of this paper is to discuss the problem of separability of $D$-symmetric states which are diagonal in the basis ${|{R}_{N,d;k}\ensuremath{\rangle}}$. We show that if $N$ is even and $d\ensuremath{\ge}2$ is arbitrary then a positive partial transposition property is a necessary and sufficient condition of separability for $D$-invariant diagonal states. In this way, we generalize results obtained by Yu [Phys. Rev. A 94, 060101(R) (2016)] and Wolfe and Yelin [Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 140402 (2014)]. Our strategy is to use some classical mathematical results on a moment problem.

arXiv:1810.05522Physical Review AFeb 8, 20197 citations

Entanglement and nonlocality in diagonal symmetric states of N qubits

Ruben Quesada, Swapan Rana, Anna Sanpera

We analyze entanglement and nonlocal properties of the convex set of symmetric $N$ -qubit states which are diagonal in the Dicke basis. First, we demonstrate that within this set, semidefinite positivity of partial transposition (PPT) is necessary and sufficient for separability---which has also been reported recently by Yu [Phys. Rev. A 94, 060101(R) (2016)]. Furthermore, we show which states among the entangled diagonal symmetric are nonlocal under two-body Bell inequalities. The diagonal symmetric convex set contains a simple and extended family of states that violate the weak Peres conjecture, being PPT with respect to one partition but violating a Bell inequality in such partition. Our method opens directions to address entanglement and nonlocality on higher dimensional symmetric states, where presently very few results are available.We analyze entanglement and nonlocal properties of the convex set of symmetric $N$-qubit states which are diagonal in the Dicke basis. First, we demonstrate that within this set, semidefinite positivity of partial transposition (PPT) is necessary and sufficient for separability---which has also been reported recently by Yu [Phys. Rev. A 94, 060101(R) (2016)]. Furthermore, we show which states among the entangled diagonal symmetric are nonlocal under two-body Bell inequalities. The diagonal symmetric convex set contains a simple and extended family of states that violate the weak Peres conjecture, being PPT with respect to one partition but violating a Bell inequality in such partition. Our method opens directions to address entanglement and nonlocality on higher dimensional symmetric states, where presently very few results are available.

arXiv:1701.03399Physical Review AApr 24, 201718 citations

Gaussian entanglement revisited

Ludovico Lami, Alessio Serafini, Gerardo Adesso

We present a novel approach to the separability problem for Gaussian quantum states of bosonic continuous variable systems. We derive a simplified necessary and sufficient separability criterion for arbitrary Gaussian states of m versus n modes, which relies on convex optimisation over marginal covariance matrices on one subsystem only. We further revisit the currently known results stating the equivalence between separability and positive partial transposition (PPT) for specific classes of Gaussian states. Using techniques based on matrix analysis, such as Schur complements and matrix means, we then provide a unified treatment and compact proofs of all these results. In particular, we recover the PPT-separability equivalence for: (i) Gaussian states of 1 versus n modes; and (ii) isotropic Gaussian states. In passing, we also retrieve (iii) the recently established equivalence between separability of a Gaussian state and and its complete Gaussian extendability. Our techniques are then applied to progress beyond the state of the art. We prove that: (iv) Gaussian states that are invariant under partial transposition are necessarily separable; (v) the PPT criterion is necessary and sufficient for separability for Gaussian states of m versus n modes that are symmetric under the exchange of any two modes belonging to one of the parties; and (vi) Gaussian states which remain PPT under passive optical operations can not be entangled by them either. This is not a foregone conclusion per se (since Gaussian bound entangled states do exist) and settles a question that had been left unanswered in the existing literature on the subject. This paper, enjoyable by both the quantum optics and the matrix analysis communities, overall delivers technical and conceptual advances which are likely to be useful for further applications in continuous variable quantum information theory, beyond the separability problem.We present a novel approach to the separability problem for Gaussian quantum states of bosonic continuous variable systems. We derive a simplified necessary and sufficient separability criterion for arbitrary Gaussian states of m versus n modes, which relies on convex optimisation over marginal covariance matrices on one subsystem only. We further revisit the currently known results stating the equivalence between separability and positive partial transposition (PPT) for specific classes of Gaussian states. Using techniques based on matrix analysis, such as Schur complements and matrix means, we then provide a unified treatment and compact proofs of all these results. In particular, we recover the PPT-separability equivalence for: (i) Gaussian states of 1 versus n modes; and (ii) isotropic Gaussian states. In passing, we also retrieve (iii) the recently established equivalence between separability of a Gaussian state and and its complete Gaussian extendability. Our techniques are then applied to progress beyond the state of the art. We prove that: (iv) Gaussian states that are invariant under partial transposition are necessarily separable; (v) the PPT criterion is necessary and sufficient for separability for Gaussian states of m versus n modes that are symmetric under the exchange of any two modes belonging to one of the parties; and (vi) Gaussian states which remain PPT under passive optical operations can not be entangled by them either. This is not a foregone conclusion per se (since Gaussian bound entangled states do exist) and settles a question that had been left unanswered in the existing literature on the subject. This paper, enjoyable by both the quantum optics and the matrix analysis communities, overall delivers technical and conceptual advances which are likely to be useful for further applications in continuous variable quantum information theory, beyond the separability problem.

arXiv:1612.05215New Journal of PhysicsJan 9, 201866 citations

Gaussian entanglement revisited

Ludovico Lami, Alessio Serafini, Gerardo Adesso

Feb 1, 201848 citations

We study the separability problem in mixtures of Dicke states i.e., the separability of the so-called Diagonal Symmetric (DS) states. First, we show that separability in the case of DS in

C^d\otimes C^d

(symmetric qudits) can be reformulated as a quadratic conic optimization problem. This connection allows us to exchange concepts and ideas between quantum information and this field of mathematics. For instance, copositive matrices can be understood as indecomposable entanglement witnesses for DS states. As a consequence, we show that positivity of the partial transposition (PPT) is sufficient and necessary for separability of DS states for

d \leq 4

. Furthermore, for

d \geq 5

, we provide analytic examples of PPT-entangled states. Second, we develop new sufficient separability conditions beyond the PPT criterion for bipartite DS states. Finally, we focus on

N

-partite DS qubits, where PPT is known to be necessary and sufficient for separability. In this case, we present a family of almost DS states that are PPT with respect to each partition but nevertheless entangled.

For multipartite states, we consider a notion of

D

symmetry. For a system of

N

qubits, it coincides with the usual permutational symmetry. In the case of

N

qudits ($d\ensuremath{\ge}3$), the

D

symmetry is stronger than the permutational one. For the space of all

\mathrm{D}

-symmetric vectors in ${({\mathbb{C}}^{d})}^{\ensuremath{\bigotimes}N}$, we define a basis composed of vectors ${|{R}_{N,d;k}\ensuremath{\rangle}:\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}0\ensuremath{\le}k\ensuremath{\le}N(d\ensuremath{-}1)}$ which are analogs of Dicke states. The aim of this paper is to discuss the problem of separability of

D

-symmetric states which are diagonal in the basis ${|{R}_{N,d;k}\ensuremath{\rangle}}$. We show that if

N

is even and $d\ensuremath{\ge}2$ is arbitrary then a positive partial transposition property is a necessary and sufficient condition of separability for

D

-invariant diagonal states. In this way, we generalize results obtained by Yu [Phys. Rev. A 94, 060101(R) (2016)] and Wolfe and Yelin [Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 140402 (2014)]. Our strategy is to use some classical mathematical results on a moment problem.

We analyze entanglement and nonlocal properties of the convex set of symmetric

N

-qubit states which are diagonal in the Dicke basis. First, we demonstrate that within this set, semidefinite positivity of partial transposition (PPT) is necessary and sufficient for separability---which has also been reported recently by Yu [Phys. Rev. A 94, 060101(R) (2016)]. Furthermore, we show which states among the entangled diagonal symmetric are nonlocal under two-body Bell inequalities. The diagonal symmetric convex set contains a simple and extended family of states that violate the weak Peres conjecture, being PPT with respect to one partition but violating a Bell inequality in such partition. Our method opens directions to address entanglement and nonlocality on higher dimensional symmetric states, where presently very few results are available.