Genuine multipartite nonlocality of entangled thermal states

Abstract

We assess quantum non-locality of multiparty entangled thermal states by studying, quantitatively, both tripartite and quadripartite states belonging to the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ), W and linear cluster-state classes and showing violation of relevant Bell-like inequalities. We discuss the conditions for maximizing the degree of violation against the local thermal character of the states and the inefficiency of the detection apparatuses. We demonstrate that such classes of multipartite entangled states can be made to last quite significantly, notwithstanding adverse operating conditions. This opens up the possibility for coherent exploitation of multipartite quantum channels made out of entangled thermal states. Our study is accompanied by a detailed description of possible generation schemes for the states analyzed.