Classification of Quantum Entanglement

(ETH Zurich, June 07, 2013)

Quantum entanglement is the phenomenon that two or more particles can influence each other over arbitrary distances. This phenomenon will have a large impact on many fields, including information security and computation. However, the number of types of entanglement is very large and until now has not been accurately classified. Now, a group at ETH Zurich has been working to develop a system for classification that equates entanglement states to geometric polytopes. Their system allows entanglement states to be determined based on a few measurements of a particle. The system can be used to determine the usefulness of a given entanglement state for a specific application.