How to create quantum entangled electrons

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the creation of quantum entangled electrons, exploring methods such as splitting Cooper pairs and the implications of spin properties. Participants also consider the existence of entangled electrons in various states and contexts, including theoretical and experimental perspectives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that splitting a Cooper pair is one method to create quantum entangled electrons, questioning whether their spin properties are used in measurement.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of the singlet and triplet states, with some participants clarifying the definitions and notations used for these states.
  • Others argue that entangled electrons can exist in states other than the singlet state, such as positively correlated spins.
  • A participant mentions that two entangled photons can interact with electrons to transfer entanglement, although details are not provided.
  • Some participants express confusion over the notation used for quantum states, indicating that different conventions may exist in the literature.
  • There is a suggestion that entangled electrons exist in atoms and that interactions between particles can lead to entanglement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the definitions and notations for quantum states, and multiple competing views regarding the methods of creating entangled electrons remain. The discussion is unresolved regarding the specifics of entangled states and their creation methods.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying conventions for representing quantum states and the lack of detailed methods for creating entangled electrons beyond those mentioned. Some assumptions about the nature of entanglement and interactions are not fully explored.

IsaiahvH
I understand that one way of creating quantum entangled electrons is by splitting a Cooper pair. Is then their spin property used in the measurement, as this must always sum to ##0## for a Cooper pair?
If that is the case, do quantum entangled electrons only exist in the singlet state, where the spin is always opposite to one another?
$$\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(\left|01\right> \pm \left|10 \right>)$$

Are there other methods of creating quantum entangled electrons?
 
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Any atom (except for hydrogen atoms) is surrounded by several entangled electrons.
 
IsaiahvH said:
I understand that one way of creating quantum entangled electrons is by splitting a Cooper pair. Is then their spin property used in the measurement, as this must always sum to ##0## for a Cooper pair?
If that is the case, do quantum entangled electrons only exist in the singlet state, where the spin is always opposite to one another?
$$\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(\left|01\right> \pm \left|10 \right>)$$

Are there other methods of creating quantum entangled electrons?

It seems to me you may be getting the terminology mixed up here.

The singlet state is ##|0 \ 0\rangle = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} (\uparrow \downarrow - \downarrow \uparrow)##.

The triplet is a combination of 3 states, so called because they share a common value for total spin:

##|1 \ 1\rangle =\ \uparrow \uparrow##
##|1 \ 0\rangle = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} (\uparrow \downarrow + \downarrow \uparrow)##
##|1 \ -\!1\rangle =\ \downarrow \downarrow##
 
Last edited:
PeroK said:
It seems to me you may be getting the terminology mixed up here.

The singlet state is ##|0 \ 0\rangle = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} (\uparrow \downarrow - \downarrow \uparrow)##.

The triplet is a combination of 3 states, so called because they share a common value for total spin:

##|1 \ 1\rangle =\ \uparrow \uparrow##
##|1 \ 0\rangle = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} (\uparrow \downarrow + \downarrow \uparrow)##
##|1 \ -\!1\rangle =\ \downarrow \downarrow##

Where are you getting that notation from? In quantum information the singlet state is ##\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \left( |01\rangle - |10\rangle \right)##. Certainly not ##|00\rangle##. That's the "both qubits are in the off state" state.
 
Strilanc said:
Where are you getting that notation from? In quantum information the singlet state is ##\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \left( |01\rangle - |10\rangle \right)##. Certainly not ##|00\rangle##. That's the "both qubits are in the off state" state.

I thought we were talking about electrons and that that notation was fairly standard.
 
IsaiahvH said:
..
Are there other methods of creating quantum entangled electrons?
Yes there is another way. Two entangled photons can interact with two electorns and swap the entanglement to the electrons. I haven't got the details to hand but I'll search.
 
Strilanc said:
Where are you getting that notation from? In quantum information the singlet state is ##\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \left( |01\rangle - |10\rangle \right)##. Certainly not ##|00\rangle##. That's the "both qubits are in the off state" state.
I believe that @PeroK is using a convention in which the spin state of the individual particles is represented with up and down arrows, and a ket containing two numbers is the state with total spin given by the first number and projection of the total spin by the second. That's not the convention being used elsewhere in this thread, and I don't know how common it is, but I'm pretty sure it was the one used back when I learned about quantum spin.
 
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IsaiahvH said:
I understand that one way of creating quantum entangled electrons is by splitting a Cooper pair. Is then their spin property used in the measurement, as this must always sum to ##0## for a Cooper pair?
If that is the case, do quantum entangled electrons only exist in the singlet state, where the spin is always opposite to one another?
$$\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(\left|01\right> \pm \left|10 \right>)$$
Are there other methods of creating quantum entangled electrons?

Entangled electrons don't only exist in the singlet state. They can also have, for instance, positively correlated spins.

There are a number of methods of creating entangled electrons and particles. Unfortunately I don't know what they are, ask an experimenter. For photons, there's parametric downconversion, SPS cascades, annihilation of spin-zero particle states into two gamma rays, etc.

Finally, I'm supposing you mean to "create" the pair in the lab for entanglement experiments. In "the wild" they exist everywhere. As @A. Neumaier says, they exist in an atom. For instance whenever an orbit has two electrons they must have opposite spins. Generally whenever two particles interact in any way they become entangled (maybe there are exceptions). For instance if they scatter off each other, the sum of their outgoing momenta must equal sum of ingoing momenta - they're entangled.
 
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