Bells theorem shows that local realistic theories place strong restrictions on observable correlations between different systems, giving rise to Bells inequality which can be violated in experiments using entangled quantum states. Bells theorem is ba
sed on the assumptions of realism, locality, and the freedom to choose between measurement settings. In experimental tests, loopholes arise which allow observed violations to still be explained by local realistic theories. Violating Bells inequality while simultaneously closing all such loopholes is one of the most significant still open challenges in fundamental physics today. In this paper, we present an experiment that violates Bells inequality while simultaneously closing the locality loophole and addressing the freedom-of-choice loophole, also closing the latter within a reasonable set of assumptions. We also explain that the locality and freedom-of-choice loopholes can be closed only within non-determinism, i.e. in the context of stochastic local realism.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has supported a range of studies in the field of quantum physics and quantum information science in space for several years, and consequently we have submitted the mission proposal Space-QUEST (Quantum Entanglement for
Space Experiments) to the European Life and Physical Sciences in Space Program. We propose to perform space-to-ground quantum communication tests from the International Space Station (ISS). We present the proposed experiments in space as well as the design of a space based quantum communication payload.
