Free-space non-separability decay of clasicaly-entangled modes

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new class of classically-entangled modes that experience entanglement decay during free-space propagation, contrasting with the invariability observed in quantum and traditional classically-entangled modes, supported by simulations and experiments.

Contribution

It demonstrates a novel type of classically-entangled mode that undergoes entanglement decay during free-space propagation, expanding understanding of classical entanglement behavior.

Findings

Classically-entangled modes can decay in entanglement during free-space propagation.

Numerical simulations and experiments confirm the entanglement decay.

Results suggest new applications for classically-entangled modes.

Abstract

One of the most prominent features of quantum entanglement is its invariability under local unitary transformations, which implies the degree of entanglement remains constant during free-space propagation. While this is true for quantum and classically--entangled modes, here we demonstrate a novel type of classically-entangled modes that experience an entanglement decay upon free-space propagation. We show this by numerical simulations and corroborate experimentally. Our results evinces novel properties of classically-entangled modes, which pave the way to novel applications.