Jakobczyk and Siennicki studied two-dimensional sections of a set of (generalized) Bloch vectors corresponding to n x n density matrices of two-qubit systems (that is, the case n = 4). They found essentially five different types of (nontrivial) separability regimes. We compute the Euclidean/Hilbert-Schmidt (HS) separability probabilities assigned to these regimes, and conduct parallel two-dimensional sectional analyses for the higher-level cases n=6,8,9 and 10. Making use of the newly-introduced capability for integration over implicitly defined regions of version 5.1 of Mathematica -- also fruitfully used in our n=4 three-parameter entropy-maximization-based study quant-ph/0507203 -- we obtain a wide-ranging variety of exact HS-probabilities. For n>6, the probabilities are those of having a partial positive transpose (PPT). For the n=6 case, we also obtain biseparability probabilities; in the n=8,9 instances, bi-PPT probabilities; and for n=8, tri-PPT probabilities. By far, the most frequently recorded probability for n>4 is π/4 = 0.785398. We also conduct a number of related analyses, pertaining to the (one-dimensional) boundaries (both exterior and interior) of the separability and PPT domains, and attempt (with limited success) some exact calculations pertaining to the 9-dimensional (real) and 15-dimensional (complex) convex sets of two-qubit density matrices -- for which HS-separability probabilities have been conjectured, but not verified.
Jakobczyk and Siennicki studied two-dimensional sections of a set of (generalized) Bloch vectors corresponding to n x n density matrices of two-qubit systems (that is, the case n = 4). They found essentially five different types of (nontrivial) separability regimes. We compute the Euclidean/Hilbert-Schmidt (HS) separability probabilities assigned to these regimes, and conduct parallel two-dimensional sectional analyses for the higher-level cases n=6,8,9 and 10. Making use of the newly-introduced capability for integration over implicitly defined regions of version 5.1 of Mathematica -- also fruitfully used in our n=4 three-parameter entropy-maximization-based study quant-ph/0507203 -- we obtain a wide-ranging variety of exact HS-probabilities. For n>6, the probabilities are those of having a partial positive transpose (PPT). For the n=6 case, we also obtain biseparability probabilities; in the n=8,9 instances, bi-PPT probabilities; and for n=8, tri-PPT probabilities. By far, the most frequently recorded probability for n>4 is π/4 = 0.785398. We also conduct a number of related analyses, pertaining to the (one-dimensional) boundaries (both exterior and interior) of the separability and PPT domains, and attempt (with limited success) some exact calculations pertaining to the 9-dimensional (real) and 15-dimensional (complex) convex sets of two-qubit density matrices -- for which HS-separability probabilities have been conjectured, but not verified.
We list in increasing order -- 1/3, 3/8, 2/5, 135 pi/1024, 16/(3 pi^2), 3 pi/16, 5/8, 105 pi/512, 2 - 435 pi/1024, 11/16, 1 -- a number of exact two-qubit Hilbert-Schmidt (HS) separability probabilities, we are able to compute. Each probability corresponds to a specific scenario -- a class of 4 x 4 density matrices (rho) with an m-subset (m<6) of its six off-diagonal pairs of symmetrically located entries set to zero. Initially, we consider only scenarios in which the (6-m) non-nullified pairs are real, but then permit them to be complex (as well as quaternionic) in nature also. The general analytical strategy we implement is based on the Bloore density matrix parameterization (J. Phys. A, 9, 2059 [1976]), allowing us to conveniently reduce the dimensionalities of required integrations. For each scenario, we identify a certain univariate ``separability function'' S_{scenario}(nu), where nu = rho_{11} rho_{44}/(rho_{22} rho_{33}). The integral over nu in [0,infty] of the product of this function with a scenario-specific (marginal) jacobian function J_{scenario}(nu) yields the HS {separable} volume (V^{HS}_{sep}). The ratio of V^{HS}_{sep} to the HS total (entangled and non-entangled) volume, gives us the HS scenario-specific separability probability. Among the possible forms that we have so far determined for S_{scenario}(nu) are piecewise combinations of c, c sqrt{nu} and c nu for nu in [0,1] and (in a dual manner) c, c/sqrt{nu} and c/nu for nu in [1,infty]. We also obtain bivariate separability functions S_{scenario)^{6 x 6}(nu_{1},nu_{2}} in the qubit-qutrit case, involving 6 x 6 density matrices, with ratio variables, nu_{1}= rho_{11} rho_{55}/(rho_{22} rho_{44}), and nu_{2}= rho_{22} rho_{66}/(rho_{33} rho_{55}). Additionally, we investigate parallel two-qutrit and three-qubit problems.
We extend the findings and analyses of our two recent studies (Phys. Rev. A, 75, 032326 [2007] and arXiv:0704.3723) by, first, obtaining numerical estimates of the separability function based on the (Euclidean, flat) Hilbert-Schmidt (HS) metric for the 27-dimensional convex set of quaternionic two-qubit systems. The estimated function appears to be strongly consistent with our previously-formulated Dyson-index (beta = 1, 2, 4) ansatz, dictating that the quaternionic (beta=4) separability function should be exactly proportional to the square of the separability function for the 15-dimensional convex set of two-qubit complex (beta=2) systems, as well as the fourth power of the separability function for the 9-dimensional convex set of two-qubit real (beta=1) systems. In particular, we conclude that S_{quat}(mu) =(6/71)^2 ((3-mu^2) mu)^4 =(S_{complex}(mu))^2. Here, mu =(rho_{11} rho_{44}/(rho_{22} rho_{33})^(1/2), where rho is a 4 x 4 two-qubit density matrix. We can, thus, supplement (and fortify) our previous assertion that the HS separability probability of the two-qubit complex states is 8/33= 0.242424, by claiming that its quaternionic counterpart is 72442944/936239725 = 0.0773765. We also comment on and analyze the odd beta=1 and 3 cases.
We pursue a number of analytical directions, motivated to some extent initially by the possibility of developing a methodology for formally proving or disproving a certain conjecture of quantum-theoretical relevance (quant-ph/0308037). It asserts that the 15-dimensional volume occupied by the separable two-qubit density matrices is (\sqrt{2}-1)/3, as measured in terms of the statistical distinguishability metric (four times the Bures or minimal monotone metric). Somewhat disappointingly, however, the several various analyses that we report, though we hope of independent/autonomous interest, appear to provide small indication of how to definitively resolve the conjecture. Among our studies here are ones of: (1) the Bures volumes of the two-dimensional sections of Bloch vectors for a number of the Jakobczyk-Siennicki two-qubit scenarios; (2) the structure of certain convex polytopes of separable density matrices; and (3) the diagonalization of 15 x 15 Bures metric tensors.
We seek to derive the probability--expressed in terms of the Hilbert-Schmidt (Euclidean or flat) metric--that a generic (nine-dimensional) real two-qubit system is separable, by implementing the well-known Peres-Horodecki test on the partial transposes (PTs) of the associated 4 x 4 density matrices. But the full implementation of the test--requiring that the determinant of the PT be nonnegative for separability to hold--appears to be, at least presently, computationally intractable. So, we have previously implemented--using the auxiliary concept of a diagonal-entry-parameterized separability function (DESF)--the weaker implied test of nonnegativity of the six 2 x 2 principal minors of the PT. This yielded an exact upper bound on the separability probability of 1024/(135 Pi^2) = 0.76854. Here, we extend this line of work by requiring that the four 3 x 3 principal minors of the PT be nonnegative, giving us an improved/reduced upper bound of 22/35 = 0.628571. Numerical simulations--as opposed to exact symbolic calculations--indicate, on the other hand, that the true probability is certainly less than 1/2. Our combined analyses lead us to suggest a possible form for the true DESF, yielding a separability probability of 29/64 = 0.453125, while the best exact lower bound established so far is (6928-2205 Pi)/2^(9/2) = 0.0348338.
A confluence of numerical and theoretical results leads us to conjecture that the Hilbert-Schmidt separability probabilities of the 15- and 9-dimensional convex sets of complex and real two-qubit states (representable by 4 x 4 density matrices rho) are 8/33 and 8/17, respectively. Central to our reasoning are the modifications of two ansatze, recently advanced (quant-ph/0609006), involving incomplete beta functions B_{nu}(a,b), where nu= (rho_{11} rho_{44})/(rho_{22} rho_{33}). We, now, set the separability function S_{real}(nu) propto B_{nu}(nu,1/2},2) =(2/3) (3-nu) sqrt{nu}. Then, in the complex case -- conforming to a pattern we find, manifesting the Dyson indices (1, 2, 4) of random matrix theory-- we take S_{complex}(nu) propto S_{real}^{2} (nu). We also investigate the real and complex qubit-qutrit cases. Now, there are two Bloore ratio variables, nu_{1}= (rho_{11} rho_{55})(rho_{22} rho_{44}), nu_{2}= (rho_{22} rho_{66})(rho_{33} rho_{55}), but they appear to remarkably coalesce into the product, eta = nu_1 nu_2 = rho_{11} \rho_{66}}{\rho_{33} \rho_{44}}, so that the real and complex separability functions are again univariate in nature.
Firstly, we reduce the long-standing problem of ascertaining the Hilbert-Schmidt probability that a generic pair of qubits is separable to that of determining the specific nature of a one-dimensional (separability) function of the radial coordinate (r) of the unit ball in 15-dimensional Euclidean space, and similarly for a generic pair of rebits, using the 9-dimensional unit ball. Separability probabilities, could, then, be directly obtained by integrating the products of these functions (which we numerically estimate and plot) with jacobian factors of r^m over r in [0,1], with m=17 for the two-rebit case, and m=29 in the two-qubit instance. Secondly, we repeat the analyses, but for the replacement of r as the free variable, by the azimuthal angle phi \in [0,2 pi]--with the associated jacobian factors now being, trivially, unity. So, the separability probabilities, then, become simply the areas under the curves generated. For our analyses, we employ an interesting Cholesky-decomposition parameterization of the 4 x 4 density matrices. Thirdly, in an exploratory investigation, we examine the Hilbert-Schmidt separability probability question using the three-dimensional visualization (cube/tetrahedron/octahedron) of two qubits associated with Avron, Bisker and Kenneth, and Leinaas, Myrheim and Ovrum, among others.