Bell nonlocality

TL;DR

Bell's theorem reveals the fundamental nonlocal nature of quantum mechanics, which has become central to quantum information science, leading to new concepts, tools, and a dedicated sub-field of study.

Contribution

This review summarizes the development of concepts and tools describing quantum nonlocality, highlighting its importance in quantum information science.

Findings

Bell nonlocality underpins quantum advantages in information processing

Development of new theoretical tools to study quantum nonlocality

Recognition of nonlocality as a dedicated research sub-field

Abstract

Bell's 1964 theorem, which states that the predictions of quantum theory cannot be accounted for by any local theory, represents one of the most profound developments in the foundations of physics. In the last two decades, Bell's theorem has been a central theme of research from a variety of perspectives, mainly motivated by quantum information science, where the nonlocality of quantum theory underpins many of the advantages afforded by a quantum processing of information. The focus of this review is to a large extent oriented by these later developments. We review the main concepts and tools which have been developed to describe and study the nonlocality of quantum theory, and which have raised this topic to the status of a full sub-field of quantum information science.