Hardy’s test of local realism

We have performed a test of local realism using entangled photons produced by spontaneous parametric downconversion.  This experiment is based on an idea originally proposed by Hardy for a test of local realism without inequalities [4,5], although our experiment actually measures an inequality (as any experiment must.)  We find an over 70 standard deviation violation of the predictions of local realism.  The experimental effort required for this test is essentially the same as that required for a test of a Bell inequality; however, this test is based on concepts that are easier to understand and more compelling than those behind the original Bell inequality.

 

·         Slides of a presentation
A copy of a talk (aimed at a nontechnical audience) describing the basic idea behind the experiment.  This talk uses the analogy of students observing the color of their professors’ clothing to describe the experiment.  There are no details about our experiment here.

·         Reprint
J. A. Carlson, M. D. Olmstead, and M. Beck “Quantum mysteries tested: An experiment implementing Hardy’s test of local realism,” Am. J. Phys. 74. 180-186 (2006).

·         LabView vi's

·         For suggestions on improving entanglement using dispersion precompensation please see the updates page.

  [4]         L. Hardy, ‘‘Nonlocality for two particles without inequalities for almost all entangled states,’’ Phys. Rev. Lett. 71, 1665–1668 (1993).

  [5]         P. G. Kwiat and L. Hardy, “The mystery of the quantum cakes,” Am. J. Phys. 68, 33-36 (2000).

 

 

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