One of the most exotic aspects of quantum mechanics is quantum non-locality. Quantum systems which interacted in the past and then moved far from each other, remain, in a certain sense, still connected with one another.  In effect quantum systems can instantaneously “communicate” with each other (in apparent but not real contradiction with Einstein’s relativity).  Although the concept of non-locality was first put forward more than thirty years ago, by J.  Bell’s critical analysis of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox, until very recently non-locality was considered a fringe and rather unimportant aspect of quantum mechanics. During the last couple of years however it has become clear that non-locality is one of the basic aspects of quantum mechanics.  In particular, non-locality is at the core of the new subjects of quantum information and computation.

In my talk I will describe in detail, at a very accessible level, the basic idea of non-locality and discuss some of its applications in quantum information.

Host: Gadiel Seroussi