Computer Scientists Prove That Heat Destroys Entanglement
Computer scientists discovered that quantum entanglement vanishes completely above a specific temperature in spin systems, suggesting classical algorithms may suffice for high-temperature quantum problems while remaining optimistic about future advancements.
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A team of computer scientists has made a significant discovery regarding quantum entanglement while developing a new algorithm. They proved that entanglement, a phenomenon where quantum particles become interconnected, vanishes completely above a certain temperature in spin systems, which are mathematical models representing arrays of interacting atoms. This finding, termed the "sudden death" of entanglement, was previously only observed indirectly. The researchers, who were not initially focused on entanglement, stumbled upon this proof while exploring the capabilities of quantum computers. Their work indicates that at high temperatures, entanglement does not merely weaken but disappears entirely, a result that does not depend on the number of atoms involved but rather on their interactions. This discovery has implications for understanding quantum systems and the potential limitations of quantum algorithms, as it suggests that for certain high-temperature scenarios, classical algorithms may suffice. Despite the negative result regarding entanglement, the researchers remain optimistic about future discoveries in quantum computing and the development of new algorithms.
- Computer scientists proved that entanglement vanishes completely above a specific temperature in spin systems.
- The discovery was made while developing a new quantum algorithm, highlighting the intersection of computer science and quantum physics.
- The phenomenon, known as "sudden death" of entanglement, indicates that entanglement does not just weaken but disappears entirely at high temperatures.
- The results suggest that classical algorithms may be sufficient for certain high-temperature quantum problems.
- Researchers remain hopeful for future advancements in quantum computing despite the negative findings regarding entanglement.
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13 commentsIs this concept debunked by this paper, or could it be that 'destroys entanglement' actually means 'becomes entangled with almost everything else'?
This state [rho] is the Gibbs state at infinite temperature, and is in the interior of the convex hull of product states. So, as β tends to zero, ρ will eventually enter the interior of this convex hull, making it separable. This happens at a finite β which depends on system size.
[I]t is easy to show using standard theory that if a system starts in an eigenstate of some observable, and measurements are made of that observable N times a second, then, even if the state is not a stationary one, the probability that the system will be in the same state after, say, one second, tends to one as N tends to infinity; that is, that continual observations will prevent motion. Alan and I tackled one or two theoretical physicists with this, and they rather pooh-poohed it by saying that continual observation is not possible. But there is nothing in the standard books (e.g., Dirac's) to this effect, so that at least the paradox shows up an inadequacy of Quantum Theory as usually presented.
— Quoted by Andrew Hodges in Mathematical Logic, R. O. Gandy and C. E. M. Yates, eds. (Elsevier, 2001), p. 267.
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