English

Achieving Maximal Causal Indefiniteness in a Maximally Nonlocal Theory

Quantum Physics 2024-11-08 v1

Abstract

Quantum theory allows for the superposition of causal orders between operations, i.e., for an indefinite causal order; an implication of the principle of quantum superposition. Since a higher theory might also admit this feature, an understanding of superposition and indefinite causal order in a generalised probabilistic framework is needed. We present a possible notion of superposition for such a framework and show that in maximal theories, respecting non-signalling relations, single system state-spaces do not admit superposition; however, composite systems do. Additionally, we show that superposition does not imply entanglement. Next, we provide a concrete example of a maximally Bell-nonlocal theory, which not only admits the presented notion of superposition, but also allows for post-quantum violations of theory-independent inequalities that certify indefinite causal order; even up to an algebraic bound. These findings might point towards potential connections between a theory's ability to admit indefinite causal order, Bell-nonlocal correlations and the structure of its state spaces.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2411.04201,
  title  = {Achieving Maximal Causal Indefiniteness in a Maximally Nonlocal Theory},
  author = {Kuntal Sengupta},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2411.04201},
  year   = {2024}
}

Comments

11 pages, 2 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-28T19:50:36.298Z