A question on calculating entangled spin probability

rede96
Messages
663
Reaction score
16
I was trying to understand the QM tests done to show the violation of Bell’s inequality. In the example given this was done by testing the polarization of entangled photons which were positively correlated.

So in the example Alice and Bob are detecting the polarisation for the two entangled photons, using 3 detectors chosen at random, which are at angles of 0 degrees, 120 degrees and 240 degrees.

I was told that the quantum rule to predict the number of matches (e.g. both detected the same spin or both do not detect same spin) was cos^2(Alice's Angle - Bob's Angle)

As these angles are all equidistant then it is easy to see that the overall result will be 0.25 without doing all the individual test, as each individual test’s probability is 0.25

But let’s say the three detectors being used were at angles 10, 60 and 200?

Doing it long hand, i.e. calculating each individual test and adding up all the matches I get appx 0.66

But how would I calculate the expected result without doing all the individual tests? (so I can check I am doing it right!)

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
I've got the answer now thanks.
 
Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. Towards the end of the first lecture for the Qiskit Global Summer School 2025, Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Olivia Lanes (Global Lead, Content and Education IBM) stated... Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/quantum-entanglement-is-a-kinematic-fact-not-a-dynamical-effect/ by @RUTA
If we release an electron around a positively charged sphere, the initial state of electron is a linear combination of Hydrogen-like states. According to quantum mechanics, evolution of time would not change this initial state because the potential is time independent. However, classically we expect the electron to collide with the sphere. So, it seems that the quantum and classics predict different behaviours!
Back
Top