arXiv subjects

William J. Munro

Publications and source records attributed to William J. Munro.

149 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

Maximal entanglement versus entropy for mixed quantum states

Maximally entangled mixed states are those states that, for a given mixedness, achieve the greatest possible entanglement. For two-qubit systems and for various combinations of entanglement and mixedness measures, the form of the corresponding maximally entangled mixed states is determined primarily analytically. As measures of entanglement, we consider entanglement of formation, relative entropy of entanglement, and negativity; as measures of mixedness, we consider linear and von Neumann entropies. We show that the forms of the maximally entangled mixed states can vary with the combination of (entanglement and mixedness) measures chosen. Moreover, for certain combinations, the forms of the maximally entangled mixed states can change discontinuously at a specific value of the entropy.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

Properties of multi-partite dark states

We investigate and define dark and semi-dark states for multiple qudit systems. For two-level systems, semi-dark and dark states are equivalent. We show that the semi-dark states are equivalent to the singlet states of the rotation group. They exist for many multiple qudit systems, whereas dark states are quite rare. We then show that when a dark state is collapsed onto another dark state of fewer parties, the resulting state is again dark. Furthermore, one can use two orthogonal multi-qudit dark states to construct a decoherence-free qudit.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2001

A Bell's Inequality Test with Entangled Atoms

Previous work on Bell's inequality realised in the laboratory has used entangled photons. Here we describe how entangled atoms can violate Bell's inequality, and how these violations can be measured with a very high detection efficiency. We first discuss a simple scheme based on two-level atoms inside a cavity to prepare the entangled state. We then discuss a scheme using four-level atoms, which requires a parameter regime much easier to access experimentally using current technology. As opposed to other schemes, our proposal relies on the presence of finite decay rates and its implementation should therefore be much less demanding.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2001

On the Measurement of Qubits

We describe in detail the theory underpinning the measurement of density matrices of a pair of quantum two-level systems (``qubits''). Our particular emphasis is on qubits realized by the two polarization degrees of freedom of a pair of entangled photons generated in a down-conversion experiment; however the discussion applies in general, regardless of the actual physical realization. Two techniques are discussed, namely a tomographic reconstruction (in which the density matrix is linearly related to a set of measured quantities) and a maximum likelihood technique which requires numerical optimization (but has the advantage of producing density matrices which are always non-negative definite). In addition a detailed error analysis is presented, allowing errors in quantities derived from the density matrix, such as the entropy or entanglement of formation, to be estimated. Examples based on down-conversion experiments are used to illustrate our results.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2001

Verifying Atom Entanglement Schemes by Testing Bell's Inequality

Recent experiments to test Bell's inequality using entangled photons and ions aimed at tests of basic quantum mechanical principles. Interesting results have been obtained and many loopholes could be closed. In this paper we want to point out that tests of Bell's inequality also play an important role in verifying atom entanglement schemes. We describe as an example a scheme to prepare arbitrary entangled states of N two-level atoms using a leaky optical cavity and a scheme to entangle atoms inside a photonic crystal. During the state preparation no photons are emitted and observing a violation of Bell's inequality is the only way to test whether a scheme works with a high precision or not.

quant-ph↗