Automated computation of spin-density matrices and quantum observables for collider physics

TL;DR

This paper introduces an automated framework within MadGraph5_aMC@NLO for computing and analyzing spin-density matrices and quantum correlations in collider physics processes, supporting complex multi-particle states.

Contribution

The authors develop a fully automated, extendable method to compute and analyze quantum observables and correlations in collider processes, including multi-particle states and various quantum measures.

Findings

Validated against known results for top pair and vector boson production.

Enabled systematic quantification of multi-particle quantum correlations.

Applied to LHC final states revealing new quantum correlation insights.

Abstract

We present a fully automated framework to compute production spin-density matrices for generic collider processes at tree level within \textsc{MadGraph5\_aMC@NLO}. The method assembles helicity amplitudes into event-by-event production matrices. These are written to the LHE file in a compact form, together with run metadata, enabling direct post-processing of quantum observables. The implementation supports bi- and multipartite qubit and qutrit final states, configurable reference frames, and both polarised and unpolarised initial states. A companion, easy-to-extend library provides analysis routines to determine key quantum-information measures and witnesses. These include purity, concurrence, and entanglement of formation for qubits; Peres--Horodecki tests and negativity; spin-polarisation vectors and correlation matrices; $D$-coefficients; and stabiliser-based ``magic'' measures. As a result, multi-particle quantum correlations can be quantified systematically. We validate the implementation against known results for $t\bar t$ and $VV$ ($V=W^\pm,Z$) production in $pp$ and $e^+e^-$ collisions and in heavy-resonance decays. We then consider new applications and study quantum correlations in several LHC final states: $t\bar t W^\pm$, $tW^-$ vs.\ $t(\bar t\to W^- \bar b)$, and $t\bar t t$ vs. $t\bar t t\bar t$.