Optical simulation of a Popescu-Rohrlich Box.

Area of Science:

• Quantum mechanics
• Quantum information theory
• Foundations of physics

Background:

• Bell tests are crucial for understanding quantum mechanics and distinguishing it from classical theories.
• The fair-sampling loophole arises from the selection of measurement states, potentially leading to post-quantum correlations.
• Existing loopholes in Bell tests have been addressed, but new ones may still emerge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a novel loophole in Bell tests by selecting results after measurement.
• To explore the implications of this loophole for post-quantum correlations.
• To propose a physical realization of this loophole using the two-state vector formalism and linear optics.

Main Methods:

• Implementing a result-selection loophole by choosing measurement outcomes post-measurement.
• Utilizing the two-state vector formalism for pre- and post-selection processes.
• Designing a physical simulation of a Popescu-Rohrlich (PR) box in a linear optical system.

Main Results:

• The proposed method opens both the fair-sampling and locality loopholes, termed a 'comprehensive loophole'.
• The physical simulation demonstrates a PR box with a maximal CHSH value of 4, maximally violating the CHSH inequality.
• The two-state vector formalism's violation of information causality contributes to opening the locality loophole.

Conclusions:

• The comprehensive loophole offers a potential explanation for the incompatibility of post-quantum correlations with quantum mechanics.
• This loophole challenges the fundamental assumptions of Bell tests and may explain the apparent non-existence of certain quantum phenomena.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of this comprehensive loophole for quantum foundations.