Using a new approach to quantum mechanics we revisit Hardy's proof for Bell's theorem and point out a loophole in it. We also demonstrate on this example that quantum mechanics is a local realistic theory.
Bell's theorem states that the quantum mechanical description of physical quantities cannot be fully explained by local realistic theories, laying a solid basis for various quantum information applications. Hardy's paradox is celebrated as the simplest form of Bell's theorem concerning its "All versus Nothing" approach to test local realism. However, due to experimental imperfections, existing tests of Hardy's paradox require additional assumptions of the experimental systems, and these assumptions constitute potential loopholes for faithfully testing local realistic theories. Here, we experimentally demonstrate Hardy's nonlocality through a photonic entanglement source. By achieving a detection efficiency of 82.2%, a quantum state fidelity of 99.10%, and applying high-speed quantum random number generators for the measurement setting switching, the experiment is implemented in a loophole-free manner. During 6 h of running, a strong violation of P_{Hardy}=4.646×10^{-4} up to 5 standard deviations is observed with 4.32×10^{9} trials. A null hypothesis test shows that the results can be explained by local realistic theories with an upper bound probability of 10^{-16348}. These testing results provide affirmative evidence against local realism, and establish an advancing benchmark for quantum information applications based on Hardy's paradox.
Bell's theorem proves the incompatibility between quantum mechanics and local realistic hidden-variable theories. In this paper we show that, contrary to a common belief, the theoretical proof of Bell's theorem is not affected by counterfactual reasoning. Then, we demonstrate that the experimental verification of this theorem may be affected in an unknowable way by our ignorance about the probability distribution of the hidden variables. Our study is based on the standard theory of random variables, and lays the groundwork for a critical rethinking of Bell's theorem and its consequences.
In the first part of this thesis Bell's theorem is revisited. It points at a difference between the quantum and the classical world. This difference is often behind the advantages of solutions using quantum mechanics. New and more general versions of Bell inequalities are presented. These inequalities involve multiple settings per observer. Compared with the two-setting inequalities, the new ones reveal the non-classical character of a broader class of states. Some of them are also proven to be optimal (tight). Next, we go beyond Bell's theorem. It is shown, both in theory and in experiment, that incompatibility between quantum mechanics and realistic theories can be extended into an important class of nonlocal models. We also show that the violation of Bell inequalities disqualifies local realistic models with a limited lack of the experimenter's freedom. This, at first glance quite philosophical result, has its down-to-earth implications for quantum communication. In the second part of the thesis well-known examples of quantum communication are reviewed. Next, new results concerning quantum cryptography and quantum communication complexity are given.