Bi-Contextuality: A Novel Non-Classical Phenomenon in Bipartite Quantum Systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces and experimentally demonstrates bi-contextuality, a new non-classical phenomenon in bipartite quantum systems that challenges classical assumptions and advances understanding of quantum contextuality and nonlocality.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental observation of bi-contextuality, expanding the framework of network nonlocality and linking it to foundational quantum theorems.

Findings

Bi-contextuality observed in quantum systems from independent sources.

Bi-contextuality acts as a reversed Bell scenario, combining systems for joint measurements.

Implications for the PBR theorem and classical psi-ontic models.

Abstract

We present and experimentally demonstrate a novel non-classical phenomenon, bi-contextuality, observed in quantum systems prepared by two independent sources. This discovery plays a key role in the developing framework of network nonlocality, offering a new method for confirming the quantum nature of measurements within a single network node. Bi-contextuality acts as a reversed Bell scenario: while Bell scenarios involve splitting a system for independent measurements, our approach combines systems from separate independent sources for joint measurements. The outcomes defy classical models that assume independence and non-contextuality. The simplest Bell scenario can be seen as a subset of the Peres-Mermin (PM) square, and our phenomenon represents another important subset of this framework. Moreover, bi-contextuality has notable consequences related to the Pusey-Barrett-Rudolph (PBR) theorem, suggesting that classical psi-ontic models must account for contextuality or the dependence of preparations, challenging established assumptions.