Experimental test of quantum nonlocality in three-photon Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger entanglement
Abstract
Bell's theorem states that certain statistical correlations predicted by quantum physics for measurements on two-particle systems cannot be understood within a realistic picture based on local properties of each individual particle-even if the two particles are separated by large distances. Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen first recognized the fundamental significance of these quantum correlations (termed 'entanglement' by Schrodinger) and the two-particle quantum predictions have found ever-increasing experimental support. A more striking conflict between quantum mechanical and local realistic predictions (for perfect correlations) has been discovered; but experimental verification has been difficult, as it requires entanglement between at least three particles. Here we report experimental confirmation of this conflict, using our recently developed method to observe three-photon entanglement, or 'Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger' (GHZ) states. The results of three specific experiments, involving measurements of polarization correlations between three photons, lead to predictions for a fourth experiment; quantum physical predictions are mutually contradictory with expectations based on local realism. We find the results of the fourth experiment to be in agreement with the quantum prediction and in striking conflict with local realism.
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The first laboratory test of the GHZ-type paradox was done by Pan et al. (2000).
“The first laboratory test of the GHZ-type paradox was done by Pan et al. (2000).”
From Multiphoton entanglement and interferometry (2012) · cites this paper as Pan et al. (2000)
The data from Pan et al. (2000), in the form of imperfect GHZ correlations, violated local realism.
“The obtained data in the form of the (necessarily imperfect) GHZ correlations was shown to violate local realism.”
From Multiphoton entanglement and interferometry (2012) · cites this paper as Pan et al. (2000)
The fourth experiment measuring x1x2x3 in Pan et al. (2000) also agreed with quantum mechanics for the same fraction of events.
“The fourth experiment, measuring x1 x2 x3 , also was performed, and yielded results as shown in Fig. 18.The data again agree with quantum mechanics for the same fraction of events.”
From Multiphoton entanglement and interferometry (2012) · cites this paper as Pan et al. (2000)
In Pan et al. (2000), the measured values for x1ŷ2ŷ3, ŷ1x2ŷ3, and ŷ1ŷ2x3 followed quantum predictions in a fraction 0.85 ± 0.04 of all cases.
“In the experiment by Pan et al. (2000) the measured values for x1 ŷ2 ŷ3 , ŷ1 x2 ŷ3 , and ŷ1 ŷ2 x3 followed the values predicted by quantum physics in a fraction of 0.85 ± 0.04 of all cases.”
From Multiphoton entanglement and interferometry (2012) · cites this paper as Pan et al. (2000)
The results of Pan et al. (2000) are in clear disagreement with a local realistic prediction range made from the first three measurements.
“The results are in a clear disagreement with a prediction range that can be made with the data of the three first measurements using a local realistic model.”
From Multiphoton entanglement and interferometry (2012) · cites this paper as Pan et al. (2000)
The experimental results of Pan et al. (2000) confirmed quantum predictions within experimental uncertainty.
“The experimental results confirmed the quantum predictions, within an experimental uncertainty.”
From Multiphoton entanglement and interferometry (2012) · cites this paper as Pan et al. (2000)
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- Authors
- Pan, J.-W., Bouwmeester, D., Daniell, M., Weinfurter, H., & Zeilinger, A.
- Affiliations
- University of Vienna (AT)
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Zeilinger, Anton
- Venue
- Nature
- Published
- 2000-02
- Volume
- 403
- Issue
- 6769
- Pages
- 515-519
- ISSN
- 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-4687
- OpenAlex
- W2037757747
- Cited by
- 1,209
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 26 · 2025: 37 · 2024: 37 · 2023: 71 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 54 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 59 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 38 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 53
- FWCI
- 36.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Nature (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- European Commission
- Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Quantum Mechanics and Applications
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Quantum Information and Cryptography
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Semiconductor Quantum Structures and Devices
- Keywords
- quantum nonlocality, Bell's theorem, local realism, GHZ states, three-photon entanglement, polarization correlation, quantum correlations, local hidden variable theories
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