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arXiv:2507.11713

Can entanglement be mediated by a Koopmanian system?

Chiara Marletto, Vlatko Vedral

Published Jul 15, 2025• 0 citations
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Abstract

We present a method for coupling a Koopmanian classical system to two quantum bits to mediate an interaction between them. We then prove that the resulting dynamics can never lead to entanglement between the two qubits. Even though the total system of two qubits and the Koopmanian classical system are described with the full quantum formalism, we show that their composite system violates exact conservation laws as expected for a hybrid quantum-classical system. We finally discuss the implications for semi-classical treatments of quantum gravity.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2507.11713

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We present a method for coupling a Koopmanian classical system to two quantum bits to mediate an interaction between them. We then prove that the resulting dynamics can never lead to entanglement between the two qubits. Even though the total system of two qubits and the Koopmanian classical system are described with the full quantum formalism, we show that their composite system violates exact conservation laws as expected for a hybrid quantum-classical system. We finally discuss the implications for semi-classical treatments of quantum gravity.
It is a matter of ongoing discussion whether quantum states can become entangled while only interacting via a classical mediator. This lively debate is deeply interwoven with the question of whether entanglement studies can prove the quantum nature of gravity. However, the answer to this fundamental question depends crucially on which hybrid quantum-classical theory is used. In this Letter, we demonstrate that entanglement by a classical mediator is possible within the framework of hybrid van Hove theory, showing that existing no-go theorems on that matter do not universally apply to hybrid theories in general. After briefly recapitulating the key features of the hybrid van Hove theory, we show this using the example of two quantum spins coupled by a classical harmonic oscillator. By deriving the spin density matrix for this scenario and comparing it to its equivalent for a pure quantum system, we show that entanglement between the two spins is generated in both cases. Conclusively, this is illustrated by presenting the purity and concurrence of the spin-spin system as a decisive measure for entanglement. Our results further imply that quantum entanglement studies cannot rule out consistent quantum theories featuring classical gravity.
Gaussian quantum systems exhibit many explicitly quantum effects but can be simulated classically. By using both the Hilbert space (Koopman) and the phase-space (Moyal) formalisms we investigate how robust this classicality is. We find failures of consistency of the dynamics of hybrid classical-quantum systems from both perspectives. By demanding that no unobservable operators couple to the quantum sector in the Koopmanian formalism, we show that the classical equations of motion act on their quantum counterparts without experiencing any back reaction, resulting in nonconservation of energy in the quantum system. By using the phase-space formalism we study the short-time evolution of the moment equations of a hybrid classical-Gaussian quantum system and observe violations of the Heisenberg uncertainty relation in the quantum sector for a broad range of initial conditions. We estimate the timescale for these violations, which is generically rather short. This inconsistency indicates that while many explicitly quantum effects can be represented classically, quantum aspects of the system cannot be fully masked. We comment on the implications of our results for quantum gravity.
Models of quantum-classical interactions fall into two classes: those which allow the generation of quantum entanglement via a classical mediator (such as gravity), and those which do not. Marconato and Marletto have recently sought to distinguish between these classes by claiming that known members of the first class (based on the configuration-ensemble formalism introduced by us) fail to model the mediator as a 'classical' system, and are nonlocal. We explicitly show that this claim is incorrect, and expose a large number of errors and misconceptions in their reasoning. We also point to a very simple and transparent example of the generation of entanglement between two qubits via a classical bit. It follows that there are models permitting the generation of entanglement via quantum-classical interactions that lie outside the remit of the theorem cited by Marconato and Marletto. We clarify the reasons for the limited applicability of various no-go theorems for entanglement generation.
Abstract. We investigate new features, especially of entanglement dynamics, which arise in a quantum-classical hybrid. As a model, we study the coupling between two quantum mechanical two-level systems, i.e. two q-bits, and a classical harmonic oscillator. Their interaction is described by a hybrid coupling, in accordance with a recently developed quantum-classical hybrid theory. We discuss various situations in which entanglement of the q-bits does (not) evolve. Furthermore, we point out an experimental application in a hybrid cooling scheme and indicate topics for future study.
We investigate new features, especially of entanglement dynamics, which arise in a quantum-classical hybrid. As a model, we study the coupling between two quantum mechanical two-level systems, i.e. two q-bits, and a classical harmonic oscillator. Their interaction is described by a hybrid coupling, in accordance with a recently developed quantum-classical hybrid theory. We discuss various situations in which entanglement of the q-bits does (not) evolve. Furthermore, we point out an experimental application in a hybrid cooling scheme and indicate topics for future study.
Recently, Vedral and one of us proposed an entanglement-based witness of non-classicality in systems that need not obey quantum theory, based on information-theoretic ideas [ 1 , 3 ], which offers a robust foundation for newly proposed table-top tests of non-classicality in gravity, [ 2 , 3 ]. The witness asserts that if a mediator can entangle locally two quantum systems, then it has to be non-classical. Hall and Reginatto [ 4 , 7 ] claimed that there are classical systems that can entangle two quantum systems, thus violating our proposed witness. Here we refute that claim, explaining that the counterexample proposed by Hall and Reginatto in fact validates the witness, vindicating the witness of non-classicality in its full generality.