arXiv subjects

Rafael Rabelo

Publications and source records attributed to Rafael Rabelo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Non-signaling assistance in prepare-and-measure scenarios with classical communication

Extracting the full power of non-local correlations in prepare-and-measure (PM) scenarios requires precise control over the timing and structure of the receiver's measurements. Indeed, recent developments in entanglement-assisted classical communication scenarios have shown that adaptive strategies-where the receiver uses the transmitted message to guide their measurement choice-can outperform standard non-adaptive protocols. Moving beyond quantum theory, however, the ultimate limits of such advantages remain largely unexplored. In this work, we thoroughly study adaptive and non-adaptive non-signaling (NS) assistance in PM scenarios with classical communication. We provide simple characterizations of the sets of behaviors that can be realized using both non-adaptive and adaptive NS assistance in arbitrary PM scenarios. As a consequence, we show that non-adaptive NS assistance is already strong enough to reproduce quantum communication with the same message dimension: the transmission of a qudit can be simulated by a classical dit assisted non-adaptively by NS correlations. We then compare adaptive and non-adaptive NS assistance. We prove that any adaptive NS advantage can be traced back to scenarios in which the receiver has no measurement choice, ruling out the genuinely multi-setting advantages found in entanglement-assisted quantum protocols. Finally, we identify all PM scenarios where adaptive NS strategies provide a strict advantage over non-adaptive ones.

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arXiv2026

Communication-constrained nonlocal correlations

Identifying the physical grounds distinguishing quantum theory from broader probabilistic frameworks remains an open challenge. Communication-based proposals -- most notably the principles of impossibility of superluminal signaling and information causality (IC) -- highlight the role of communication in ruling out unphysical theories and offer an operational rationale on why quantum predictions prevail over these alternative models. Nevertheless, most such developments rely on communicating parts optimizing over specific tasks, such as communication complexity problems and random access codes (RAC). In this work, we systematically extend this communication-based approach. We characterize the class of communication tasks relevant for this context, and employ the general information-theoretic framework to derive new operational constraints preventing such unphysical behaviors. Remarkably, our results reveal a broad family of previously undetected implausible behaviors, independent of any particular encoding or decoding strategy, reinforcing the role of communication as a fundamental lens through which physically meaningful theories can be identified.

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arXiv2025

Bi-Contextuality: A Novel Non-Classical Phenomenon in Bipartite Quantum Systems

We present and experimentally demonstrate a novel non-classical phenomenon, bi-contextuality, observed in quantum systems prepared by two independent sources. This discovery plays a key role in the developing framework of network nonlocality, offering a new method for confirming the quantum nature of measurements within a single network node. Bi-contextuality acts as a reversed Bell scenario: while Bell scenarios involve splitting a system for independent measurements, our approach combines systems from separate independent sources for joint measurements. The outcomes defy classical models that assume independence and non-contextuality. The simplest Bell scenario can be seen as a subset of the Peres-Mermin (PM) square, and our phenomenon represents another important subset of this framework. Moreover, bi-contextuality has notable consequences related to the Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph (PBR) theorem, suggesting that classical psi-ontic models must account for contextuality or the dependence of preparations, challenging established assumptions.

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arXiv2024

Trade-off relations between Bell nonlocality and local Kochen-Specker contextuality in generalized Bell scenarios

The relations between Bell nonlocality and Kochen-Specker contextuality have been subject of research from many different perspectives in the last decades. Recently, some interesting results on these relations have been explored in the so-called generalized Bell scenarios, that is, scenarios where Bell spatial separation (or agency independence) coexist with (at least one of the) parties' ability to perform compatible measurements at each round of the experiment. When this party has an $n$-cycle compatiblity setup, it was first claimed that Bell nonlocality could not be concomitantly observed with contextuality at this party's local experiment. However, by a more natural reading of the definition of locality, it turns out that both Bell nonlocality and local contextuality can, in fact, be jointly present. In spite of it, in this work we prove that there cannot be arbitrary amounts of both of these two resources together. That is, we show the existence of a trade-off relation between Bell nonlocality and local contextuality in such scenarios. We explore this trade-off both in terms of inequalities and quantifiers, and we discuss how it can be understood in terms of a `global' notion of contextuality. Furthermore, we show that such notion does not only encompass local contextuality and Bell nonlocality, but also other forms of nonclassical correlations.

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arXiv2024

Quantum non-classicality in the simplest causal network

Bell's theorem prompts us with a fundamental inquiry: what is the simplest scenario leading to the incompatibility between quantum correlations and the classical theory of causality? Here we demonstrate that quantum non-classicality is possible in a network consisting of only three dichotomic variables, without the need of the locality assumption neither external measurement choices. We also show that the use of interventions, a central tool in the field of causal inference, significantly improves the noise robustness of this new kind of non-classical behaviour, making it feasible for experimental tests with current technology.

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arXiv2024

The quantum maxima for the basic graphs of exclusivity are not reachable in Bell scenarios

A necessary condition for the probabilities of a set of events to exhibit Bell nonlocality or Kochen-Specker contextuality is that the graph of exclusivity of the events contains induced odd cycles with five or more vertices, called odd holes, or their complements, called odd antiholes. From this perspective, events whose graph of exclusivity are odd holes or antiholes are the building blocks of contextuality. For any odd hole or antihole, any assignment of probabilities allowed by quantum mechanics can be achieved in specific contextuality scenarios. However, here we prove that, for any odd hole, the probabilities that attain the quantum maxima cannot be achieved in Bell scenarios. We also prove it for the simplest odd antiholes. This leads us to the conjecture that the quantum maxima for any of the building blocks cannot be achieved in Bell scenarios. This result sheds light on why the problem of whether a probability assignment is quantum is decidable, while whether a probability assignment within a given Bell scenario is quantum is, in general, undecidable. This also helps to undertand why identifying principles for quantum correlations is simpler when we start by identifying principles for quantum sets of probabilities defined with no reference to specific scenarios.

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arXiv2023

Estimating the volumes of correlations sets in causal networks

Causal networks beyond that in the paradigmatic Bell's theorem can lead to new kinds and applications of non-classical behavior. Their study, however, has been hindered by the fact that they define a non-convex set of correlations and only very incomplete or approximated descriptions have been obtained so far, even for the simplest scenarios. Here, we take a different stance on the problem and consider the relative volume of classical or non-classical correlations a given network gives rise to. Among many other results, we show instances where the inflation technique, arguably the most disseminated tool in the community, is unable to detect a significant portion of the non-classical behaviors. Interestingly, we also show that the use of interventions, a central tool in causal inference, can enhance substantially our ability to witness non-classicality.

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arXiv2023

Generalized Bell scenarios: disturbing consequences on local-hidden-variable models

Bell nonlocality and Kochen-Specker contextuality are among the main topics of foundations of quantum theory. Both of them are related to stronger-than-classical correlations, with the former usually referring to spatially separated systems while the latter considering a single system. In recent works, a unified framework for these phenomena was presented. This article reviews, expands and obtains new results regarding this framework. Contextual and disturbing features inside the local models are explored, which allows for the definition of different local sets with a non-trivial relation among them. The relations between the set of quantum correlations and these local sets are also considered, and post-quantum local behaviours are found. Moreover, examples of correlations that are both local and non-contextual but such that these two classical features cannot be expressed by the same hidden variable model are shown. Extensions of the Fine-Abramsky-Brandenburger theorem are also discussed.

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arXiv2023

Interplays between classical and quantum entanglement-assisted communication scenarios

Prepare-and-measure scenarios, in their many forms, can be seen as the basic building blocks of communication tasks. As such, they can be used to analyze a diversity of classical and quantum protocols -- of which dense coding and random access codes are key examples -- in a unified manner. In particular, the use of entanglement as a resource in prepare-and-measure scenarios have only recently started to be systematically investigated, and many crucial questions remain open. In this work, we explore such scenarios and provide answers to some seminal questions. More specifically, we show that, in scenarios where entanglement is a free resource, quantum messages are equivalent to classical ones with twice the capacity. We also prove that, in such scenarios, it is always advantageous for the parties to share entangled states of dimension greater than the transmitted message. Finally, we show that unsteerable states cannot provide advantages in classical communication tasks, thus proving that not all entangled states are useful resources in these scenarios.

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arXiv2022

Information causality in multipartite scenarios

Bell nonlocality is one of the most intriguing and counter-intuitive phenomena displayed by quantum systems. Interestingly, such stronger-than-classical quantum correlations are somehow constrained, and one important question to the foundations of quantum theory is whether there is a physical, operational principle responsible for those constraints. One candidate is the information causality principle, which, in some particular cases, is proven to hold for quantum systems and to be violated by stronger-than-quantum correlations. In multipartite scenarios, though, it is known that the original formulation of the information causality principle fails to detect even extremal stronger-than-quantum correlations, thus suggesting that a genuinely multipartite formulation of the principle is necessary. In this work, we advance towards this goal, reporting a new formulation of the information causality principle in multipartite scenarios. By proposing a change of perspective, we obtain multipartite informational inequalities that work as necessary criteria for the principle to hold. We prove that such inequalities hold for all quantum resources, and forbid some stronger-than-quantum ones. Finally, we show that our approach can be strengthened if multiple copies of the resource are available, or, counter-intuitively, if noisy communication channels are employed.

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arXiv2022

Witnessing Non-Classicality in a Simple Causal Structure with Three Observable Variables

Seen from the modern lens of causal inference, Bell's theorem is nothing else than the proof that a specific classical causal model cannot explain quantum correlations. It is thus natural to move beyond Bell's paradigmatic scenario and consider different causal structures. For the specific case of three observable variables, it is known that there are three non-trivial causal networks. Two of those, are known to give rise to quantum non-classicality: the instrumental and the triangle scenarios. Here we analyze the third and remaining one, which we name the Evans scenario, akin to the causal structure underlying the entanglement-swapping experiment. We prove a number of results about this elusive scenario and introduce new and efficient computational tools for its analysis that also can be adapted to deal with more general causal structures. We do not solve its main open problem -- whether quantum non-classical correlations can arise from it -- but give a significant step in this direction by proving that post-quantum correlations, analogous to the paradigmatic Popescu-Rohrlich box, do violate the constraints imposed by a classical description of Evans causal structure.

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arXiv2022

Synchronous observation of Bell nonlocality and state-dependent Kochen-Specker contextuality

Bell nonlocality and Kochen-Specker contextuality are two remarkable nonclassical features of quantum theory, related to strong correlations between outcomes of measurements performed on quantum systems. Both phenomena can be witnessed by the violation of certain inequalities, the simplest and most important of which are the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) and the Klyachko-Can-Binicioǧlu-Shumovski (KCBS), for Bell nonlocality and Kochen-Specker contextuality, respectively. It has been shown that, using the most common interpretation of Bell scenarios, quantum systems cannot violate both inequalities concomitantly, thus suggesting a monogamous relation between the two phenomena. In this Letter, we show that the joint consideration of the CHSH and KCBS inequalities naturally calls for the so-called generalized Bell scenarios, which, contrary to the previous results, allows for joint violation of them. A photonic experiment thus tests the synchronous violation of both CHSH and KCBS inequalities. Our results agree with the theoretical predictions, thereby providing experimental proof of the coexistence of Bell nonlocality and Kochen-Specker contextuality in the simplest scenario, and shed new light for further explorations of nonclassical features of quantum systems.

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arXiv2021

Quantum communication complexity beyond Bell nonlocality

Efficient distributed computing offers a scalable strategy for solving resource-demanding tasks such as parallel computation and circuit optimisation. Crucially, the communication overhead introduced by the allotment process should be minimised -- a key motivation behind the communication complexity problem (CCP). Quantum resources are well-suited to this task, offering clear strategies that can outperform classical counterparts. Furthermore, the connection between quantum CCPs and nonlocality provides an information-theoretic insights into fundamental quantum mechanics. Here we connect quantum CCPs with a generalised nonlocality framework -- beyond the paradigmatic Bell's theorem -- by incorporating the underlying causal structure, which governs the distributed task, into a so-called nonlocal hidden variable model. We prove that a new class of communication complexity tasks can be associated to Bell-like inequalities, whose violation is both necessary and sufficient for a quantum gain. We experimentally implement a multipartite CCP akin to the guess-your-neighbour-input scenario, and demonstrate a quantum advantage when multipartite Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states are shared among three users.

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arXiv2021

Semi-device-independent certification of entanglement in superdense coding

Superdense coding is a paradigmatic protocol in quantum information science, employing a quantum communication channel to send classical information more efficiently. As we show here, it can be understood as a particular case of a prepare and measure experiment, a scenario that has attracted growing attention for its fundamental and practical applications. Formulating superdense coding as a prepare and measure scenario allows us to provide a semi-device-independent witness of entanglement that significantly improves over previous tests. Furthermore, we also show how to adapt our results into self-testing of maximally entangled states and also provide a semidefinite program formulation allowing to efficiently optimize, for any shared quantum state, the probability of success in the superdense coding protocol.

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arXiv2021

General Method for Classicality Certification in the Prepare and Measure Scenario

Preparation and measurement of physical systems are the operational building blocks of any physical experiment, and to describe them is the first purpose of any physical theory. It is remarkable that, in some situations, even when only preparation and measurement devices of a single system are present and they are uncharacterized, it is possible to distinguish between the behaviours of quantum and classical systems relying only on observational data. Certifying the physical origin of measurement statistics in the prepare and measure scenario is of primal importance for developing quantum networks, distributing quantum keys and certifying randomness, to mention a few applications, but, surprisingly, no general methods to do so are known. We progress on this problem by crafting a general, sufficient condition to certify that a given set of preparations can only generate classical statistics, for any number of generalized measurements. As an application, we employ the method to demonstrate non-classicality activation in the prepare and measure scenario, also considering its application in random access codes. Following that, we adapt our method to certify, again through a sufficient condition, whether a given set of measurements can never give rise to non-classical behaviors, irrespective of what preparations they may act upon. This, in turn, allows us to find a large set of incompatible measurements that cannot be used to demonstrate non-classicality, thus showing incompatibility is not sufficient for non-classicality in the prepare and measure scenario.

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arXiv2019

Bounding the sets of classical and quantum correlations in networks

We present a method that allows the study of classical and quantum correlations in networks with causally-independent parties, such as the scenario underlying entanglement swapping. By imposing relaxations of factorization constraints in a form compatible with semidefinite programming, it enables the use of the Navascués-Pironio-Acín hierarchy in complex quantum networks. We first show how the technique successfully identifies correlations not attainable in the entanglement-swapping scenario. Then we use it to show how the nonlocal power of measurements can be activated in a network: there exist measuring devices that, despite being unable to generate nonlocal correlations in the standard Bell scenario, provide a classical-quantum separation in an entanglement swapping configuration.

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arXiv2019

Measurement compatibility in Bell nonlocality tests

Incompatibility of observables, or measurements, is one of the key features of quantum mechanics, related, among other concepts, to Heisenberg's uncertainty relations and Bell nonlocality. In this manuscript we show, however, that even though incompatible measurements are necessary for the violation of any Bell inequality, some relevant Bell-like inequalities may be obtained if compatibility relations are assumed between the local measurements of one (or more) of the parties. Hence, compatibility of measurements is not necessarily a drawback and may, however, be useful for the detection of Bell nonlocality and device-independent certification of entanglement.

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arXiv2016

General method for constructing local-hidden-variable models for entangled quantum states

Entanglement allows for the nonlocality of quantum theory, which is the resource behind device-independent quantum information protocols. However, not all entangled quantum states display nonlocality, and a central question is to determine the precise relation between entanglement and nonlocality. Here we present the first general test to decide whether a quantum state is local, and that can be implemented by semidefinite programming. This method can be applied to any given state and for the construction of new examples of states with local hidden-variable models for both projective and general measurements. As applications we provide a lower bound estimate of the fraction of two-qubit local entangled states and present new explicit examples of such states, including those which arise from physical noise models, Bell-diagonal states, and noisy GHZ and W states.

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