arXiv subjects

Bianka Woloncewicz

Publications and source records attributed to Bianka Woloncewicz.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

"Nonlocality-of-a-single-photon" based Quantum Key Distribution and Random Number Generation schemes and their device-independent security analysis

The question of ``non-locality of a single photon'', which started with a paper by Tan, Walls and Collett (TWC, 1991) stirred a thirty years long debate. This hampered attempts to use the TWC interferometric scheme in quantum cryptography. The scheme involves a single photon 50-50 beam-split into two modes propagating to two spatially separated observation stations at which weak homodyne measurements are made. The physics and non-classicality of such an arrangement has been understood only recently, and points out that an unquestionable Bell non-classicality, as was suggested by Hardy (1994), can be observed when the local measurement settings differ by the weak local oscillator being on or off, and additionally the homodyning for the on case is not balanced. Based on that, we present a single-photon based device-independent quantum key distribution scheme secure even against no-signaling eavesdropping. In our protocol the random bits of the cryptographic key are obtained by measurements on the single photon, that is for off settings at both Alice and Bob sides, while the security is positively tested if for eavesdropping testing runs one observes a violation of a specific Bell inequality involving the on and off weak homodyne measurements as alternative local settings. The security analysis presented here is based on a decomposition of the correlations into extreme points of a no-signaling polytope, which allows for identification of the optimal strategy for any eavesdropping constrained only by the no-signaling principle. For this strategy, the key rate is calculated, which is then connected with the violation of a specific Clauser-Horne inequality. We also adapt this analysis to propose a self-testing quantum random number generator based on the old idea that employs the randomness of reflection and transmission events of a quantum light impinged on a 50-50 beamsplitter.

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arXiv2023

Improved entanglement indicators for optical fields and its application in the event-ready experiment for bright squeezed vacuum with induced non-gaussianity

Better versions of separability conditions for four mode optical fields, i.e. two beams with two modes of mutually orthogonal polarization are given. Our conditions involve variances. Their meaning is intuitive and their implementation is feasible. Namely, if for a given quantum state the spread of the data around its mean value is smaller than the minimal spread predicted for the set of separable states, then the given state is entangled. Our conditions are formulated for standard quantum Stokes observables and normalized Stokes observables and result to be more efficient that the previous conditions for four mode optical fields involving variances. We test our conditions for bright squeezed vacuum with (and without) induced non-gaussianity obtained by addition or subtraction of photons. Also we propose a practical experimental scheme of how to generate such states for an event-ready experiment.

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arXiv2021

Simplified Quantum Optical Stokes observables and Bell's Theorem

We introduce a simplified form of Stokes operators for quantum optical fields that involve the known concept of binning. Behind polarization analyzer photon numbers (more generally intensities) are measured. If the value obtained in one of the outputs, say H, is greater the than in the other one, V, then the value of the simplified Stokes operator is, say, 1, otherwise it is -1. For equal photon numbers we put 0. Such observables do not have all properties of the Stokes operators, but surprisingly can be employed in Bell type measurements, involving polarization analyzers. They are especially handy for states of undefined number of photons, e.g. squeezed vacuum. We show that surprisingly they can lead to quite robust violations of associated Bell inequalities.

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arXiv2021

Comment on `Single particle nonlocality with completely independent reference states'

We comment on the purported violation of local realism, by a single photon induced correlations between homodyne detectors, which one can find in: New J. Phys. 10, 113024 (2008), [arXiv:0807.0109]. The claim is erroneous, due to a calculational mistake. As the result is the basis of other claims in the paper, they are unsubstantiated.

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arXiv2021

On detecting violation of local realism with photon-number resolving weak-field homodyne measurements

Non-existence of a local hidden variables (LHV) model for a phenomenon benchmarks its use in device-independent quantum protocols. Nowadays photon-number resolving weak-field homodyne measurements allow realization of emblematic gedanken experiments. Alas, claims that we can have no LHV models for such experiments on (a) excitation of a pair of spatial modes by a single photon, and (b) two spatial modes in a weakly squeezed vacuum state, involving constant local oscillator strengths, are unfounded. For (a) an exact LHV model resolves the dispute on the "non-locality of a single photon" in its original formulation. It is measurements with local oscillators on or off that do not have LHV models.

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arXiv2021

Can single photon excitation of two spatially separated modes lead to a violation of Bell inequality via homodyne measurements?

We reconsider the all-optical homodyne-measurement based experimental schemes that aim to reveal Bell nonclassicality of a single photon, often termed `nonlocality'. We focus on the schemes put forward by Tan, Walls and Collett (TWC, 1991) and Hardy (1994). In the light of our previous work the Tan, Walls and Collett setup can be described by a precise local hidden variable model, hence the claimed nonclassicality of this proposal is apparent, whereas the nonclassicality proof proposed by Hardy is impeccable. In this work we resolve the following problem: which feature of the Hardy's approach is crucial for its successful confirmation of nonclassicality. The scheme of Hardy differs from the Tan, Walls and Collett setup in two aspects. (i) It introduces a superposition of a single photon excitation with vacuum as the initial state of one of the input modes of a 50-50 beamsplitter, which creates the superposition state of two separable (exit) modes under investigation. (ii) In the final measurements Hardy's proposal utilises a varying strengths of the local oscillator fields, whereas in the TWC case they are constant. In fact the local oscillators in Hardy's scheme are either on or off (the local setting is specified by the presence or absence of the local auxiliary field). We show that it is the varying strength of the local oscillators, from setting to setting, which is the crucial feature enabling violation of local realism in the Hardy setup, whereas it is not necessary to use initial superposition of a single photon excitation with vacuum as the initial state of the input mode. Neither one needs to operate in the fully on/off detection scheme. Despite the failure of the Tan, Walls and Collett scheme in proving Bell nonclassicality, we show that their scheme can serve as an entanglement indicator.

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arXiv2021

No-go for device independent protocols with Tan-Walls-Collett `nonlocality of a single photon'

We investigate the interferometric scheme put forward by Tan, Walls and Collett [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 66}, 256 (1991)] that aims to reveal Bell non-classicality of a single photon. By providing a local hidden variable model that reproduces their results, we decisively refute this claim. In particular, this means that the scheme cannot be used in device-independent protocols.

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arXiv2020

Non-classicality of bright GHZ-like radiation of an optical parametric source

With the emerging possibility to obtain emissions of triples of GHZ-entangled photons via a direct parametric generation we study here bright emissions of this kind which involve higher order emissions of two triples, three triples, etc. Such states would constitute a natural generalization of the four mode (two beams plus polarization) squeezed vacuum. We have three beam process of emission generalized bright GHZ states, which a are superpositions of one, two, three, and so on GHZ entangled triples of photons. We show how to avoid technical difficulties related with straight ahead generalization of the usual description of parametric down conversion. Using Pade approximation we turn first terms of the non-converging perturbation expansion into elements of conversing series. This allows us to study non-classicality of the new bright generalized GHZ states.

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arXiv2020

Distance between Bound Entangled States from Unextendible Product Bases and Separable States

We discuss the use of the Gilbert algorithm to tailor entanglement witnesses for unextendibleproduct basis bound entangled states (UPB BE states). The method relies on the fact that an optimalentanglement witness is given by a plane perpendicular to a line between the reference state, entanglementof which is to be witnessed, and its closest separable state (CSS). The Gilbert algorithm finds anapproximation of CSS. In this article, we investigate if this approximation can be good enough toyield a valid entanglement witness. We compare witnesses found with Gilbert algorithm and those givenby Bandyopadhyay-Ghosh-Roychowdhury (BGR) construction. This comparison allows us to learnabout the amount of entanglement and we find a relationship between it and a feature of the constructionof UPB BE states, namely the size of their central tile. We show that in most studied cases, witnessesfound with the Gilbert algorithm in this work are more optimal than ones obtained by Bandyopadhyay,Ghosh, and Roychowdhury. This result implies the increased tolerance to experimental imperfections ina realization of the state.

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arXiv2019

General mapping of multi-qu$d$it entanglement conditions to non-separability indicators for quantum optical fields

We show that any multi-qudit entanglement witness leads to a non-separability indicator for quantum optical fields, which involves intensity correlations. We get, e.g., necessary and sufficient conditions for intensity or intensity-rate correlations to reveal polarization entanglement. We also derive separability conditions for experiments involving multiport interferometers, now feasible with integrated optics. We show advantages of using intensity rates rather than intensities, e.g., a mapping of Bell inequalities to ones for optical fields. The results have implication for studies of non-classicality of "macroscopic" systems of undefined or uncontrollable number of "particles".

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