Visualizing quantum entanglement in Bose-Einstein condensates without state vectors

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel visualization method for quantum entanglement in Bose-Einstein condensates using ring polymer theory, linking classical statistical mechanics to quantum phenomena without relying on state vectors.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach to visualize quantum entanglement and Bose-Einstein condensation through ring polymer theory, avoiding the use of state vectors.

Findings

Critical temperatures and heat capacities calculated for large particle numbers.

Observation of lambda-transition indicating Bose-Einstein condensation.

Visualization of quantum phenomena via merging and separating ring polymer threads.

Abstract

Ring polymer self-consistent field theory is used to calculate the critical temperatures and heat capacities of an ideal Bose gas for an order of magnitude more particles than previously reported. A lambda-transition indicative of Bose-Einstein condensation is observed as expected. Using a known proof of spatial mode entanglement in Bose-Einstein condensates, a relationship between boson exchange and quantum entanglement is established. This is done without the use of state vectors, since ring polymer quantum theory uses instead a thermal degree of freedom, sometimes called the "imaginary time", to map classical statistical mechanics onto non-relativistic quantum mechanics through the theorems of density functional theory. It is shown that quantum phenomena, such as Bose-Einstein condensation, boson exchange, entanglement and contextuality, can be visualized in terms of merging and separating ring polymer threads in thermal-space. A possible extension to fermions is mentioned.