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Parties connected to independent sources through a network can generate correlations among themselves. Notably, the space of feasible correlations for a given network, depends on the physical nature of the sources and the measurements performed by the parties. In particular, quantum sources give access to nonlocal correlations that cannot be generated classically. In this paper, we derive a universal limit on correlations in networks in terms of their covariance matrix. We show that in a network satisfying a certain condition, the covariance matrix of any feasible correlation can be decomposed as a summation of positive semidefinite matrices each of whose terms corresponds to a source in the network. Our result is universal in the sense that it holds in any physical theory of correlation in networks, including the classical, quantum and all generalized probabilistic theories., Comment: 22 pages

The study of nonlocality in scenarios that depart from the bipartite Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen setup is allowing to uncover many fundamental features of quantum mechanics. Recently, an approach to building network-local models based on machine learning lead to the conjecture that the family of quantum triangle distributions of [arXiv:1905.04902] did not admit triangle-local models in a larger range than the original proof. We prove part of this conjecture in the affirmative. Our approach consists in reducing the family of original, four-outcome distributions to families of binary-outcome ones, and then using the inflation technique to prove that these families of binary-outcome distributions do not admit triangle-local models. This constitutes the first successful use of inflation in a proof of quantum nonlocality in networks whose nonlocality could not be proved with alternative methods. Moreover, we provide a method to extend proofs of network nonlocality in concrete distributions of a parametrized family to continuous ranges of the parameter. In the process, we produce a large collection of network Bell inequalities for the triangle scenario with binary outcomes, which are of independent interest., 6+6 pages, 1+4 figures. RevTeX 4.2. The computational appendix is available at https://www.github.com/apozas/triangle-quantum-nonlocality V2: Updated to match published version

Network Nonlocality is the study of the Network Nonlocal correlations created by several independent entangled states shared in a network. In this paper, we provide the first two generic strategies to produce nonlocal correlations in large classes of networks without input. In the first one, called Token-Counting (TC), each source distributes a fixed number of tokens and each party counts the number of received tokens. In the second one, called Color-Matching (CM), each source takes a color and a party checks if the color of neighboring sources match. Using graph theoretic tools and Finner's inequality, we show that TC and CM distributions are rigid in wide classes of networks, meaning that there is essentially a unique classical strategy to simulate such correlations. Using this rigidity property, we show that certain quantum TC and CM strategies produce correlations that cannot be produced classicality. This leads us to several examples of Network Nonlocality without input. These examples involve creation of coherence throughout the whole network, which we claim to be a fingerprint of genuine forms of Network Nonlocality. This work extends a more compact parallel work [Nonlocality for Generic Networks, arXiv:2011.02769] on the same subject and provides all the required technical proofs., 24 pages (9 of appendices), 8 figures. The original paper was split off for publication, see the more compact parallel work arXiv:2011.02769 (Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 060401, DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.060401)

Certifying quantum properties with minimal assumptions is a fundamental problem in quantum information science. Self-testing is a method to infer the underlying physics of a quantum experiment only from the measured statistics. While all bipartite pure entangled states can be self-tested, little is known about how to self-test quantum states of an arbitrary number of systems. Here, we introduce a framework for network-assisted self-testing and use it to self-test any pure entangled quantum state of an arbitrary number of systems. The scheme requires the preparation of a number of singlets that scales linearly with the number of systems, and the implementation of standard projective and Bell measurements, all feasible with current technology. When all the network constraints are exploited, the obtained self-testing certification is stronger than what is achievable in any Bell-type scenario. Our work does not only solve an open question in the field, but also shows how properly designed networks offer new opportunities for the certification of quantum phenomena., 30 pages (24 pages of appendices), 6 figures, 1 table

We introduce the class of Genuinely Local Operation and Shared Randomness (LOSR) Multipartite Nonlocal correlations, that is, correlations between N parties that cannot be obtained from unlimited shared randomness supplemented by any composition of (N-1)-shared causal Generalized-Probabilistic-Theory (GPT) resources. We then show that noisy N-partite GHZ quantum states as well as the 3-partite W quantum state can produce such correlations. This proves, if the operational predictions of quantum theory are correct, that Nature's nonlocality must be boundlessly multipartite in any causal GPT. We develop a computational method which certifies that a noisy N=3 GHZ quantum state with fidelity 85 percent satisfies this property, making an experimental demonstration of our results within reach. We motivate our definition and contrast it with preexisting notions of genuine multipartite nonlocality. This work extends a more compact parallel letter [Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 200401 (2021)] on the same subject and provides all the required technical proofs., Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures

Although complex numbers are essential in mathematics, they are not needed to describe physical experiments, as those are expressed in terms of probabilities, hence real numbers. Physics, however, aims to explain, rather than describe, experiments through theories. Although most theories of physics are based on real numbers, quantum theory was the first to be formulated in terms of operators acting on complex Hilbert spaces1,2. This has puzzled countless physicists, including the fathers of the theory, for whom a real version of quantum theory, in terms of real operators, seemed much more natural3. In fact, previous studies have shown that such a ‘real quantum theory’ can reproduce the outcomes of any multipartite experiment, as long as the parts share arbitrary real quantum states4. Here we investigate whether complex numbers are actually needed in the quantum formalism. We show this to be case by proving that real and complex Hilbert-space formulations of quantum theory make different predictions in network scenarios comprising independent states and measurements. This allows us to devise a Bell-like experiment, the successful realization of which would disprove real quantum theory, in the same way as standard Bell experiments disproved local physics., A Bell-like experiment that discriminates between real-number and complex-number multipartite quantum systems could disprove real quantum theory.

Quantum networks allow in principle for completely novel forms of quantum correlations. In particular, quantum nonlocality can be demonstrated here without the need of having various input settings, but only by considering the joint statistics of fixed local measurement outputs. However, previous examples of this intriguing phenomenon all appear to stem directly from the usual form of quantum nonlocality, namely via the violation of a standard Bell inequality. Here we present novel examples of 'quantum nonlocality without inputs', which we believe represent a new form of quantum nonlocality, genuine to networks. Our simplest examples, for the triangle network, involve both entangled states and joint entangled measurements. A generalization to any odd-cycle network is also presented. Finally, we conclude with some open questions., 16 pages, 4 figures

A quantum network consists of independent sources distributing entangled states to distant nodes which can then perform entangled measurements, thus establishing correlations across the entire network. But how strong can these correlations be? Here we address this question, by deriving bounds on possible quantum correlations in a given network. These bounds are nonlinear inequalities that depend only on the topology of the network. We discuss in detail the notably challenging case of the triangle network. Moreover, we conjecture that our bounds hold in general no-signaling theories. In particular, we prove that our inequalities for the triangle network hold when the sources are arbitrary no-signaling boxes which can be wired together. Finally, we discuss an application of our results for the device-independent characterization of the topology of a quantum network., Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures

We present a technique for reducing the computational requirements by several orders of magnitude in the evaluation of semidefinite relaxations for bounding the set of quantum correlations arising from finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces. The technique, which we make publicly available through a user-friendly software package, relies on the exploitation of symmetries present in the optimisation problem to reduce the number of variables and the block sizes in semidefinite relaxations. It is widely applicable in problems encountered in quantum information theory and enables computations that were previously too demanding. We demonstrate its advantages and general applicability in several physical problems. In particular, we use it to robustly certify the non-projectiveness of high-dimensional measurements in a black-box scenario based on self-tests of $d$-dimensional symmetric informationally complete POVMs., A. T. and D. R. contributed equally for this project

Quantum measurements have intrinsic properties that seem incompatible with our everyday-life macroscopic measurements. Macroscopic Quantum Measurement (MQM) is a concept that aims at bridging the gap between well-understood microscopic quantum measurements and macroscopic classical measurements. In this paper, we focus on the task of the polarization direction estimation of a system of N spins 1/2 particles and investigate the model some of us proposed in Barnea et al., 2017. This model is based on a von Neumann pointer measurement, where each spin component of the system is coupled to one of the three spatial component directions of a pointer. It shows traits of a classical measurement for an intermediate coupling strength. We investigate relaxations of the assumptions on the initial knowledge about the state and on the control over the MQM. We show that the model is robust with regard to these relaxations. It performs well for thermal states and a lack of knowledge about the size of the system. Furthermore, a lack of control on the MQM can be compensated by repeated “ultra-weak” measurements.

International audience; The semi-device-independent framework allows one to draw conclusions about properties of an unknown quantum system under weak assumptions. Here we present a semi-device-independent scheme for the characterisation of multipartite entanglement based around a game played by several isolated parties whose devices are uncharacterised beyond an assumption about the dimension of their Hilbert spaces. Our scheme can certify that an n-partite high-dimensional quantum state features genuine multipartite entanglement. Moreover, the scheme can certify that a joint measurement on n subsystems is entangled, and provides a lower bound on the number of entangled measurement operators. These tests are strongly robust to noise, and even optimal for certain classes of states and measurements, as we demonstrate with illustrative examples. Notably, our scheme allows for the certification of many entangled states admitting a local model, which therefore cannot violate any Bell inequality.

Self-testing refers to the possibility of characterizing an unknown quantum device based only on the observed statistics. Here we develop methods for self-testing entangled quantum measurements, a key element for quantum networks. Our approach is based on the natural assumption that separated physical sources in a network should be considered independent. This provides a natural formulation of the problem of certifying entangled measurements. Considering the setup of entanglement swapping, we derive a robust self-test for the Bell-state measurement, tolerating noise levels up to 5%. We also discuss generalizations to other entangled measurements., 15 pages, 3 figures. See also related work by J.-D. Bancal et al

We consider the characterization of quantum superposition states beyond the pattern "dead and alive". We propose a measure that is applicable to superpositions of multiple macroscopically distinct states, superpositions with different weights as well as mixed states. The measure is based on the mutual information to characterize the distinguishability between multiple superposition states. This allows us to overcome limitations of previous proposals, and to bridge the gap between general measures for macroscopic quantumness and measures for Schr\"odinger-cat type superpositions. We discuss a number of relevant examples, provide an alternative definition using basis-dependent quantum discord and reveal connections to other proposals in the literature. Finally, we also show the connection between the size of quantum states as quantified by our measure and their vulnerability to noise., Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures

The problem of characterizing classical and quantum correlations in networks is considered. Contrary to the usual Bell scenario, where distant observers share a physical system emitted by one common source, a network features several independent sources, each distributing a physical system to a subset of observers. In the quantum setting, the observers can perform joint measurements on initially independent systems, which may lead to strong correlations across the whole network. In this work, we introduce a technique to systematically map a Bell inequality to a family of Bell-type inequalities bounding classical correlations on networks in a star-configuration. Also, we show that whenever a given Bell inequality can be violated by some entangled state $\rho$, then all the corresponding network inequalities can be violated by considering many copies of $\rho$ distributed in the star network. The relevance of these ideas is illustrated by applying our method to a specific multi-setting Bell inequality. We derive the corresponding network inequalities, and study their quantum violations.

Assuming a well-behaving quantum-to-classical transition, measuring large quantum systems should be highly informative with low measurement-induced disturbance, while the coupling between system and measurement apparatus is "fairly simple" and weak. Here, we show that this is indeed possible within the formalism of quantum mechanics. We discuss an example of estimating the collective magnetization of a spin ensemble by simultaneous measuring three orthogonal spin directions. For the task of estimating the direction of a spin-coherent state, we find that the average guessing fidelity and the system disturbance are nonmonotonic functions of the coupling strength. Strikingly, we discover an intermediate regime for the coupling strength where the guessing fidelity is quasi-optimal, while the measured state is almost not disturbed., 5 pages, 3 figures. The first two authors contributed equally to this work. v3: new title; improved presentation; close to published version

Different variants of a Bell inequality, such as CHSH and CH, are known to be equivalent when evaluated on nonsignaling outcome probability distributions. However, in experimental setups, the outcome probability distributions are estimated using a finite number of samples. Therefore the nonsignaling conditions are only approximately satisfied and the robustness of the violation depends on the chosen inequality variant. We explain that phenomenon using the decomposition of the space of outcome probability distributions under the action of the symmetry group of the scenario, and propose a method to optimize the statistical robustness of a Bell inequality. In the process, we describe the finite group composed of relabeling of parties, measurement settings and outcomes, and identify correspondences between the irreducible representations of this group and properties of outcome probability distributions such as normalization, signaling or having uniform marginals., Comment: 27 pages, 12 figures

Quantum theory is commonly formulated in complex Hilbert spaces. However, the question of whether complex numbers need to be given a fundamental role in the theory has been debated since its pioneering days. Recently it has been shown that tests in the spirit of a Bell inequality can reveal quantum predictions in entanglement swapping scenarios that cannot be modelled by the natural real-number analog of standard quantum theory. Here, we tailor such tests for implementation in state-of-the-art photonic systems. We experimentally demonstrate quantum correlations in a network of three parties and two independent EPR sources that violate the constraints of real quantum theory by over $4.5$ standard deviations, hence disproving real quantum theory as a universal physical theory., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures

We show that some tripartite quantum correlations are inexplicable by any causal theory involving bipartite nonclassical common causes and unlimited shared randomness. This constitutes a device-independent proof that Nature's nonlocality is fundamentally at least tripartite in every conceivable physical theory - no matter how exotic. To formalize this claim we are compelled to substitute Svetlichny's historical definition of genuine tripartite nonlocality with a novel theory-agnostic definition tied to the framework of Local Operations and Shared Randomness (LOSR). A companion article [PRA. 104, 052207 (2021)] generalizes these concepts to any number of parties, providing experimentally amenable device-independent inequality constraints along with quantum correlations violating them, thereby certifying that Nature's nonlocality must be boundlessly multipartite., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures

Bell's theorem proves that quantum theory is inconsistent with local physical models. It has propelled research in the foundations of quantum theory and quantum information science. As a fundamental feature of quantum theory, it impacts predictions far beyond the traditional scenario of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox. In the last decade, the investigation of nonlocality has moved beyond Bell's theorem to consider more sophisticated experiments that involve several independent sources which distribute shares of physical systems among many parties in a network. Network scenarios, and the nonlocal correlations that they give rise to, lead to phenomena that have no counterpart in traditional Bell experiments, thus presenting a formidable conceptual and practical challenge. This review discusses the main concepts, methods, results and future challenges in the emerging topic of Bell nonlocality in networks., Review paper. 42 pages, 13 figures. Comments welcome! AT and APK contributed equally. V3: Updated to match published version, updated references