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Coherence, Interference and Visibility
Full text linkThe interference observed for a quanton, traversing more than one path, is believed to characterize its wave nature. Conventionally, the sharpness of interference has been quantified by its visibility or contrast, as defined in optics. Based on this visibility, wave-particle duality relations have been formulated for two-path interference. However, as one generalizes the situation to multi-path interference, it is found that conventional interference visibility is not a good quantifier. A recently introduced measure of quantum coherence has been shown to be a good quantifier of the wave nature. The subject of quantum coherence, in relation to the wave nature of quantons and to interference visibility, is reviewed here. It is argued that coherence can be construed as a more general form of interference visibility, if the visibility is measured in a different manner, and not as contrast.Quanta 2019; 8: 24–35
Improving the Cauchy–Schwarz Inequality
Full text linkWe highlight overlap as one of the simplest inequalities in linear space that yields a number of useful results. One obtains the Cauchy–Schwarz inequality as a special case. More importantly, a variant of it is seen to work desirably in certain singular situations where the celebrated inequality appears to be useless. The basic tenet generates a few other interesting relations, including the improvements over certain common uncertainty bounds. Role of projection operators in modifying the Cauchy–Schwarz relation is noted. Selected applications reveal the efficacy.Quanta 2019; 8: 36-43
Environmental Effects on Nonlocal Correlations
Full text linkEnvironmental interactions are ubiquitous in practical instances of any quantum information processing protocol. The interaction results in depletion of various quantum resources and even complete loss in numerous situations. Nonlocality, which is one particular quantum resource marking a significant departure of quantum mechanics from classical mechanics, meets the same fate. In the present work we study the decay in nonlocality to the extent of the output state admitting a local hidden state model. Using some fundamental quantum channels we also demonstrate the complete decay in the resources in the purview of the Bell–Clauser–Horne–Shimony–Holt inequality and a three-settings steering inequality. We also obtain bounds on the parameter of the depolarizing map for which it becomes steerability breaking pertaining to a general class of two qubit states.Quanta 2019; 8: 57–67
How Dirac's Seminal Contributions Pave the Way for Comprehending Nature's Deeper Designs
Full text linkCredible reasons are presented to reveal that many of the lingering century old enigmas, surrounding the behavior of at least an individual quantum particle, can be comprehended in terms of an objectively real specific wave function. This wave function is gleaned from the single particle energy-momentum eigenstate offered by the theory of space filling universal quantum fields that is an inevitable outcome of Dirac's pioneering masterpiece. Examples of these well-known enigmas are wave particle duality, the de Broglie hypothesis, the uncertainty principle, wave function collapse, and predictions of measurement outcomes in terms of probability instead of certainty. Paul Dirac successfully incorporated special theory of relativity into quantum mechanics for the first time. This was accomplished through his ingenious use of matrices that allowed the equations of motion to maintain the necessary first order time derivative feature necessary for positive probability density. The ensuing Dirac equation for the electron led to the recognition of the mystifying quantized spin and magnetic moment as intrinsic properties in contrast to earlier ad hoc assumptions. The solution of his relativistic equation for the hydrogen atom produced results in perfect agreement with experimental data available at the time. The most far reaching prediction of the celebrated Dirac equation was the totally unexpected existence of anti-particles, culminating in the eventual development of the quantum field theory of the Standard Model that reveals the deepest secrets of the universe known to date.Quanta 2019; 8: 88–100
Quantum Trajectories: Dirac, Moyal and Bohm
Full text linkWe recall Dirac's early proposals to develop a description of quantum phenomena in terms of a non-commutative algebra in which he suggested a way to construct what he called quantum trajectories. Generalising these ideas, we show how they are related to weak values and explore their use in the experimental construction of quantum trajectories. We discuss covering spaces which play an essential role in accounting for the wave properties of quantum particles. We briefly point out how new mathematical techniques take us beyond Hilbert space and into a deeper structure which connects with the algebras originally introduced by Born, Heisenberg and Jordan. This enables us to bring out the geometric aspects of quantum phenomena.Quanta 2019; 8: 11–23
Taming the Delayed Choice Quantum Eraser
Full text linkI discuss the delayed choice quantum eraser experiment by drawing an analogy to a Bell-type measurement and giving a straightforward account in standard quantum mechanics. The delayed choice quantum eraser experiment turns out to resemble a Bell-type scenario in which the resolution of the paradox is rather trivial, and so there really is no mystery. At first glance, the experiment suggests that measurements on one part of an entangled photon pair (the idler) can be employed to control whether the measurement outcome of the other part of the photon pair (the signal) produces interference fringes at a screen after being sent through a double slit. Significantly, the choice whether there is interference or not can be made long after the signal photon encounters the screen. The results of the experiment have been alleged to invoke some sort of backwards in time influence. I argue that this issue can be eliminated by taking into proper account the role of the signal photon. Likewise, in the de Broglie–Bohm picture the trajectories of the particle can be given a well-defined description at any instant of time during the experiment. Thus, it is again clear that there is no need to resort to any kind of backwards in time influence.Quanta 2019; 8: 44-56
Observability, Unobservability and the Copenhagen Interpretation in Dirac's Methodology of Physics
Full text linkPaul Dirac has been undoubtedly one of the central figures of the last century physics, contributing in several and remarkable ways to the development of quantum mechanics; he was also at the centre of an active community of physicists, with whom he had extensive interactions and correspondence. In particular, Dirac was in close contact with Bohr, Heisenberg and Pauli. For this reason, among others, Dirac is generally considered a supporter of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. Similarly, he was considered a physicist sympathetic with the positivistic attitude which shaped the development of quantum theory in the 1920s. Against this background, the aim of the present essay is twofold: on the one hand, we will argue that, analyzing specific examples taken from Dirac's published works, he can neither be considered a positivist nor a physicist methodologically guided by the observability doctrine. On the other hand, we will try to disentangle Dirac's figure from the mentioned Copenhagen interpretation, since in his long career he employed remarkably different—and often contradicting—methodological principles and philosophical perspectives with respect to those followed by the supporters of that interpretation.Quanta 2019; 8: 68–87
On Schmidt Decomposition: Approach Based on Correlation Operator as Bipartite Entanglement Entity
Full text linkAn elaborated review with proofs of Schmidt canonical decomposition of any bipartite state vector is approached through general subsystem basis expansion. The upgraded forms of Schmidt decomposition in terms of correlation operator and twin observables are presented in detail. The discussion is extended to distant measurement, Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen states and Schrödinger's steering. All claims and proofs are given in standard form unlike in the previous articles of the author where all results were obtained utilizing the very rarely used antilinear Hilbert–Schmidt maps of one subsystem state space into the other. For practical reasons the formalism of partial traces with their rules and reduced density operators together with correlation operator are used.Quanta 2018; 7: 19–39
Quantum Harmonic Analysis of the Density Matrix
Full text linkWe will study rigorously the notion of mixed states and their density matrices. We will also discuss the quantum-mechanical consequences of possible variations of Planck's constant h. This review has been written having in mind two readerships: mathematical physicists and quantum physicists. The mathematical rigor is maximal, but the language and notation we use throughout should be familiar to physicists.Quanta 2018; 7: 74–110
How Does Nature Accomplish Spooky Action at a Distance?
Full text linkThe enigmatic nonlocal quantum correlation that was famously derided by Einstein as "spooky action at a distance" has now been experimentally demonstrated to be authentic. The quantum entanglement and nonlocal correlations emerged as inevitable consequences of John Bell's epochal paper on Bell's inequality. However, in spite of some extraordinary applications as well as attempts to explain the reason for quantum nonlocality, a satisfactory account of how Nature accomplishes this astounding phenomenon is yet to emerge. A cogent mechanism for the occurrence of this incredible event is presented in terms of a plausible quantum mechanical Einstein–Rosen bridge.Quanta 2018; 7: 111–117