Optimised Inference of Quantum Phenomena in High-Energy Collider Experiments

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new framework using shadow tomography to analyze quantum entanglement in high-energy collider experiments, exemplified by top quark pairs at CERN.

Contribution

It develops a general, flexible method for characterizing spin-spin entanglement in relativistic particle collisions, addressing coupling of spin and momentum.

Findings

Improved analysis of spin-spin entanglement in collider data

Application demonstrated on top quark pair production at CERN

Framework adaptable to complex systems with multiple particles

Abstract

Entanglement, a fundamental phenomenon of quantum theory, has recently been observed in processes in high-energy physics. This opens new avenues for probing quantum effects in relativistic regimes, but also poses conceptual and technical challenges. We develop a general framework based on shadow tomography techniques for characterising spin-spin correlations in collider experiments. This improves the analysis of spin-spin entanglement, where relativistic motion couples spin and momentum and the momenta of the investigated particles are not under experimental control. As a proof of concept we illustrate the application of our formalism to top quark pair production at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The framework, however, is general and flexible and can be readily applied to more complex final states and systems with more particles.