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Advanced Quantum Technologies

Single‐Particle Entanglement

Stefano Azzini, Sonia Mazzucchi, Valter Moretti, Davide Pastorello, Lorenzo Pavesi

Published Sep 6, 2020• 41 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract This review is about single‐particle entanglement. Entanglement occurs when the state of a quantum system with at least two degrees of freedom has a particular non‐separable form. In the case of single‐particle entanglement, this quantum correlation is shared by the same particle being it a photon, a neutron, an ion, or an atom. Here, the basics of quantum entanglement are discussed focusing on the case it is related to the degrees of freedom of a single particle. It is discussed how the violation of peculiar inequalities in this context rules out any realistic non‐contextual hidden variable theory alternative to quantum mechanics. Moreover, experiments that demonstrate single‐particle entanglement for photons, neutrons, and atoms are discussed. Finally, the applications of single‐particle entanglement as a resource for quantum information are discussed and specifically quantum key distribution is detailed, where the use of single‐particle entangled photons allows to improve the security of the BB84 protocol.

DOI
10.1002/qute.202000014

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Abstract This review is about single‐particle entanglement. Entanglement occurs when the state of a quantum system with at least two degrees of freedom has a particular non‐separable form. In the case of single‐particle entanglement, this quantum correlation is shared by the same particle being it a photon, a neutron, an ion, or an atom. Here, the basics of quantum entanglement are discussed focusing on the case it is related to the degrees of freedom of a single particle. It is discussed how the violation of peculiar inequalities in this context rules out any realistic non‐contextual hidden variable theory alternative to quantum mechanics. Moreover, experiments that demonstrate single‐particle entanglement for photons, neutrons, and atoms are discussed. Finally, the applications of single‐particle entanglement as a resource for quantum information are discussed and specifically quantum key distribution is detailed, where the use of single‐particle entangled photons allows to improve the security of the BB84 protocol.
Quantum entanglement, one of the most intriguing phenomena in quantum mechanics, forms the cornerstone of emerging technologies in quantum information science. It describes the non-classical correlations between spatially separated particles, whereby the measurement outcome of one particle instantaneously determines the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them. This paper explores the fundamental principles of quantum entanglement and its critical role in advancing quantum cryptography and quantum computing. In cryptography, entanglement enables protocols such as Ekert’s E91 and BBM92 quantum key distribution schemes, which leverage nonlocal correlations to ensure unconditional security based on the violation of Bell’s inequalities. In quantum computing, entanglement serves as a powerful computational resource, facilitating speedups in algorithms, enabling quantum teleportation, and supporting robust quantum error correction techniques. The discussion integrates both theoretical underpinnings and experimental realizations, highlighting recent advances in photonic entanglement sources, superconducting qubits, and trapped-ion systems. Challenges related to decoherence, scalability, and entanglement distribution in quantum networks are examined, along with potential solutions. By bridging foundational theory with practical applications, this study underscores the pivotal role of entanglement in shaping the future of secure communications and computational paradigms beyond the capabilities of classical systems.
From its seemingly non-intuitive and puzzling nature, most evident in numerous EPR-like gedanken experiments to its almost ubiquitous presence in quantum technologies, entanglement is at the heart of modern quantum physics. First introduced by Erwin Schrödinger nearly a century ago, entanglement has remained one of the most fascinating ideas that came out of quantum mechanics. Here, we attempt to explain what makes entanglement fundamentally different from any classical phenomenon. To this end, we start with a historical overview of entanglement and discuss several hidden variables models that were conceived to provide a classical explanation and demystify quantum entanglement. We discuss some inequalities and bounds that are violated by quantum states thereby falsifying the existence of some of the classical hidden variables theories. We also discuss some exciting manifestations of entanglement, such as N00N states and the non-separable single particle states. We conclude by discussing some contemporary results regarding quantum correlations and present a future outlook for the research of quantum entanglement.
Entanglement of two photons, or atoms is a complementary situation to a double slit situation of a single photon, neutron or atom. With neutrons single particle interference phenomena can be observed and the “entanglement of degrees of freedom”, i.e. contextuality can be verified. In this respect, neutrons are proper tools for testing quantum mechanics because they are massive, they couple to electromagnetic fields due to their magnetic moment and they are subject to all basic interactions, and they are sensitive to topological effects, as well. Related experiments will be discussed. Deterministic and stochastic partial absorption experiments can be described by Bell‐type inequalities. Recent neutron interferometry experiments based on postselection methods renewed the discussion about quantum nonlocality and the quantum measuring process. It has been shown that interference phenomena can be revived even when the overall interference pattern has lost its contrast. This indicates a persisting coupling in phase space even in cases of spatially separated Schrödinger cat‐like situations. These states are extremely fragile and sensitive against any kind of fluctuations and other decoherence processes. More complete quantum experiments also show that a complete retrieval of quantum states behind an interaction volume becomes impossible in principle.
We address some of the most commonly raised questions about entanglement, especially with regard to the so-called occupation number entanglement. To answer unambiguously whether entanglement can exist in a one-atom delocalized state, we propose an experiment capable of showing violations of Bell's inequality using only this state and local operations. We review previous discussions for one-photon non-locality and propose a specific experiment for creating one-atom entangled states, showing that the superselection rule of atom number can be overcome. As a by-product, this experiment suggests a means of creating an entangled state of two different chemical species. By comparison with a massless system, we argue that there should be no fundamental objection to such a superposition and its creation may be within reach of present technology.
The Kochen-Specker theorem shows the incompatibility of noncontextual hidden variable theories with quantum mechanics. Quantum contextuality is a more general concept than quantum non-locality which is quite well tested in experiments using Bell inequalities. Within neutron interferometry we performed an experimental test of the Kochen-Specker theorem with an inequality, which identifies quantum contextuality, by using spin-path entanglement of single neutrons. Here entanglement is achieved not between different particles, but between degrees of freedom of a single neutron, i.e., between spin and path degree of freedom. Appropriate combinations of the spin analysis and the position of the phase shifter allow an experimental verification of the violation of an inequality derived from the Kochen-Specker theorem. The observed violation 2.291±0.008≰1 clearly shows that quantum mechanical predictions cannot be reproduced by noncontextual hidden variable theories.