We discuss some properties of the quantum discord based on the geometric distance advanced by Dakic, Vedral, and Brukner [Phys. Rev. Lett. {bf 105}, 190502 (2010)], with emphasis on Werner- and MEM-states. We ascertain just how good the measure is in
representing quantum discord. We explore the dependence of quantum discord on the degree of mixedness of the bipartite states, and also its connection with non-locality as measured by the maximum violation of a Bell inequality within the CHSH scenario.
Entanglement criteria for general (pure or mixed) states of systems consisting of two identical fermions are introduced. These criteria are based on appropriate inequalities involving the entropy of the global density matrix describing the total syst
em, on the one hand, and the entropy of the one particle reduced density matrix, on the other one. A majorization-related relation between these two density matrices is obtained, leading to a family of entanglement criteria based on Renyis entropic measure. These criteria are applied to various illustrative examples of parametrized families of mixed states. The dependence of the entanglement detection efficiency on Renyis entropic parameter is investigated. The extension of these criteria to systems of $N$ identical fermions is also considered.
In a recent work (Borras et al., Phys. Rev. A {bf 79}, 022108 (2009)), we have determined, for various decoherence channels, four-qubit initial states exhibiting the most robust possible entanglement. Here we explore some geometrical features of the
trajectories in state space generated by the decoherence process, connecting the initially robust pure state with the completely decohered mixed state obtained at the end of the evolution. We characterize these trajectories by recourse to the distance between the concomitant time dependent mixed state and different reference states.
We investigate the decay of entanglement, due to decoherence, of multi-qubit systems that are initially prepared in highly (in some cases maximally) entangled states. We assume that during the decoherence processes each qubit of the system interacts
with its own, independent environment. We determine, for systems with a small number of qubits and for various decoherence channels, the initial states exhibiting the most robust entanglement. We also consider a restricted version of this robustness optimization problem, only involving states equivalent under local unitary transformations to the |GHZ> state.
A comparison is made of various searching procedures, based upon different entanglement measures or entanglement indicators, for highly entangled multi-qubits states. In particular, our present results are compared with those recently reported by Bro
wn et al. [J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 38 (2005) 1119]. The statistical distribution of entanglement values for the aforementioned multi-qubit systems is also explored.
Entanglement is closely related to some fundamental features of the dynamics of composite quantum systems: quantum entanglement enhances the speed of evolution of certain quantum states, as measured by the time required to reach an orthogonal state.
The concept of speed of quantum evolution constitutes an important ingredient in any attempt to determine the fundamental limits that basic physical laws impose on how fast a physical system can process or transmit information. Here we explore the relationship between entanglement and the speed of quantum evolution in the context of the quantum brachistochrone problem. Given an initial and a final state of a composite system we consider the amount of entanglement associated with the brachistochrone evolution between those states, showing that entanglement is an essential resource to achieve the alluded time-optimal quantum evolution.
