Separability and classification of multipartite quantum states

Abstract

Abstract We study separability in arbitrary multipartite quantum systems based on principal base matrices. Necessary conditions are presented for different kinds of separable states. These conditions can give a complete classification of multipartite quantum states. While the usual Bloch representation of a density matrix uses three types of generators, the representation with principal base matrices has one uniform type of generator which simplifies computation. In this paper, we take advantage of this simplicity to derive useful and operational criteria to detect multipartite separability. We first obtain criteria on detecting 1 − 3 separable, 2 − 2 separable, 1 − 1 − 2 separable and fully separable four-partite quantum states. We then study k-separability for multipartite quantum states in arbitrary dimensions. Detailed examples are given to show that our criteria are able to detect more entanglement states than some existing criteria.