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arXiv:2403.01762 · International Journal of Quantum Information

Contextuality, superlocality and nonclassicality of supernoncontextuality

Chellasamy Jebarathinam, R. Srikanth

Published Nov 20, 2025• 0 citations

Abstract

Contextuality is a fundamental manifestation of nonclassicality, indicating that for certain quantum correlations, sets of jointly measurable variables cannot be pre-assigned values independently of the measurement context. In this work, we characterize nonclassical quantum correlation beyond contextuality, in terms of supernoncontextuality, namely the higher-than-quantum hidden-variable (HV) dimensionality required to reproduce the given noncontextual quantum correlations. Thus supernoncontextuality is the contextuality analogue of superlocality. Specifically, we study the quantum system of two-qubit states in a scenario composed of five contexts that demonstrate contextuality in a state-dependent fashion. For this purpose, we use the framework of boxes, whose behavior is described by a set of probabilities satisfying the no-disturbance conditions. We first demonstrate that while superlocality is necessary to observe a contextual box, superlocality is not sufficient for contextuality. On the other hand, a noncontextual superlocal box can be supernoncontextual, but superlocality is not a necessary condition. We then introduce a notion of nonclassicality beyond the standard contextuality, called semi-device-independent contextuality. We study semi-device-independent contextuality of two-qubit states in the above-mentioned scenario and demonstrate how supernoncontextuality implies this nonclassicality. To this end, we propose a criterion and a measure of semi-device-independent contextuality.

DOI: 10.1142/s0219749925500376

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Comment on "Contextuality and quantum discord"

Chellasamy Jebarathinam

In a paper, Al-Qasimi [Physics Letters A 449 (2022) 128347] proposed a criterion for contextuality of two-qubit systems extending Peres' proof of contextuality [Phys. Lett. A 151 (1990) 107]. Using this criterion, Al-Qasimi argued that certain discordant states can be contextual even if they are not entangled. Here I demonstrate that Al-Qasimi's criterion does not, in general, imply contextuality of two-qubit system. However, I point out that Al-Qasimi's criterion is related to a different notion of operational nonclassicality of discordant feature, which is inequivalent to contextuality. This nonclassicality beyond contextuality has been formalized in C. Jebarathinam and R. Srikanth [Int. J. Quantum Inf. 23 (2025) 2550037]. Identifying Al-Qasimi's criterion as demonstration of quantum correlation beyond contextuality, it then follows that Al-Qasimi's main conclusion that one cannot equate quantum correlation and discordant feature is made precise.

quant-pharXiv:2512.11450•Dec 15, 2025•0 citations

Contextuality is a fundamental manifestation of nonclassicality, indicating that for certain quantum correlations, sets of jointly measurable variables cannot be pre-assigned values independently of the measurement context. In this work, we characterize nonclassical quantum correlation beyond contextuality, in terms of supernoncontextuality, namely the higher-than-quantum hidden-variable (HV) dimensionality required to reproduce the given noncontextual quantum correlations. Thus supernoncontextuality is the contextuality analogue of superlocality. Specifically, we study the quantum system of two-qubit states in a scenario composed of five contexts that demonstrate contextuality in a state-dependent fashion. For this purpose, we use the framework of boxes, whose behavior is described by a set of probabilities satisfying the no-disturbance conditions. We first demonstrate that while superlocality is necessary to observe a contextual box, superlocality is not sufficient for contextuality. On the other hand, a noncontextual superlocal box can be supernoncontextual, but superlocality is not a necessary condition. We then introduce a notion of nonclassicality beyond the standard contextuality, called semi-device-independent contextuality. We study semi-device-independent contextuality of two-qubit states in the above-mentioned scenario and demonstrate how supernoncontextuality implies this nonclassicality. To this end, we propose a criterion and a measure of semi-device-independent contextuality.

The view that non-classical phenomena are witnessed when noncontextuality inequalities are violated by quantum correlations has become widespread over the last decades, and many authors describe contextuality as a counter-intuitive and non-classical feature of quantum systems. In this paper we show that a classical input/output device generating contextual data (i.e., data violating noncontextuality inequalities) can easily be found if the following conditions are satisfied: (1) We only have access to a specific collection of epistemic measurements, namely measurements which do not necessarily reveal properties possessed by the system to the agent, and (2) not all these measurements can be jointly performed. The conclusion we draw from this example is twofold. Firstly, regarding model-independent contextuality, it suggests that, unlike Bell inequalities (whose violation allegedly implies non-locality), noncontextuality inequalities have no phenomenological significance per se: we cannot treat experiments as black-boxes and draw conclusions about the phenomenological status of their underlying structure based only on contextuality analysis of the data they generate. Secondly, regarding quantum theory, it indicates that one who accepts, as many interpretations suggest, that quantum theory satisfies both these conditions should not take for granted that quantum contextuality is a signature of non-classicality.

Contextuality and nonlocality are nonclassical properties exhibited by quantum statistics whose implications profoundly impact both the foundations and applications of quantum theory. In this paper we provide some insights into logical contextuality and inequality-free proofs. The former can be understood as the possibility version of contextuality, while the latter refers to proofs of quantum contextuality and nonlocality that are not based on violations of some noncontextuality (or Bell) inequality. By ``possibilistic'' we mean a description in terms of possibilities for the outcomes, which are Boolean variables assuming value one when the corresponding probability is strictly larger than zero and zero otherwise. The present work aims to build a bridge between these two concepts from what we call possibilistic paradoxes, which are sets of possibilistic conditions whose occurrence implies contextuality and nonlocality. As the main result, we demonstrate the existence of possibilistic paradoxes whose occurrence is a necessary and sufficient condition for logical contextuality in a very important class of scenarios. Finally, we discuss some interesting consequences arising from the completeness of these possibilistic paradoxes.

Genuine multpartite quantum nonlocality can be quantified by the communication cost needed to reproduce the nonlocal correlation by classical communication models. This prompts the question as to how one may provide such an operational characterization for the nonclassicality of local multipartite correlations arising from genuinely quantum states possessing quantum discord. To answer this question, we consider a classical simulation protocol where one of the parties pre-share a random variable with the other parties who may also share arbitrary randomness. We demonstrate that genuine nonclassicality of local multipartite correlations is necessary for implying genuine superlocality which is the requirement for a larger dimension of the random variable in the above classical simulation protocol than that of quantum state that can generate the nonclassical correlations.

Abstract Quantum contextuality represents a fundamental form of nonclassicality in quantum mechanics. To provide a more complete characterization of nonclassical properties in quantum systems, we adopt a logical perspective and propose a mathematical framework based on exclusive partial Boolean algebras. This framework enables a unified description of contextuality and nonclassicality across finite general, quantum, and classical systems. We establish a unified and minimal classical counterpart for any finite general system. Within this framework, we formalize major categories of quantum contextuality, demonstrating that: 12 projectors suffice to generate Kochen–Specker scenarios; 10 projectors suffice to witness state-independent contextuality; and 3 observables suffice to witness quantum contextuality. Finally, we prove that contextuality is a sufficient but not necessary condition for nonclassicality.

The notion of (non)contextuality pertains to sets of properties measured one subset (context) at a time. We extend this notion to include so-called inconsistently connected systems, in which the measurements of a given property in different contexts may have different distributions, due to contextual biases in experimental design or physical interactions (signaling): a system of measurements has a maximally noncontextual description if they can be imposed a joint distribution on in which the measurements of any one property in different contexts are equal to each other with the maximal probability allowed by their different distributions. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of such a description in a broad class of systems including Klyachko-Can-Binicioğlu-Shumvosky-type (KCBS), EPR-Bell-type, and Leggett-Garg-type systems. Because these conditions allow for inconsistent connectedness, they are applicable to real experiments. We illustrate this by analyzing an experiment by Lapkiewicz and colleagues aimed at testing contextuality in a KCBS-type system.

In a paper, Al-Qasimi [Physics Letters A 449 (2022) 128347] proposed a criterion for contextuality of two-qubit systems extending Peres' proof of contextuality [Phys. Lett. A 151 (1990) 107]. Using this criterion, Al-Qasimi argued that certain discordant states can be contextual even if they are not entangled. Here I demonstrate that Al-Qasimi's criterion does not, in general, imply contextuality of two-qubit system. However, I point out that Al-Qasimi's criterion is related to a different notion of operational nonclassicality of discordant feature, which is inequivalent to contextuality. This nonclassicality beyond contextuality has been formalized in C. Jebarathinam and R. Srikanth [Int. J. Quantum Inf. 23 (2025) 2550037]. Identifying Al-Qasimi's criterion as demonstration of quantum correlation beyond contextuality, it then follows that Al-Qasimi's main conclusion that one cannot equate quantum correlation and discordant feature is made precise.