Test to separate quantum theory from non-signaling theories

Abstract

A Bell test separates quantum mechanics from a classical, local realist theory of physics. However, a Bell test cannot separate quantum physics from all classical theories. Classical devices supplemented with non-signaling correlations, e.g., the Popescu-Rohrlich "nonlocal box," can pass a Bell test with probability at least as high as any quantum devices can. After all, quantum entanglement does not allow for signaling faster than the speed of light, so in a sense is a weaker special case of non-signaling correlations. It could be that underneath quantum mechanics is a deeper non-signaling theory. We present a test to separate quantum theory from powerful non-signaling theories. The test extends the CHSH game to involve three space-like separated devices. Quantum devices sharing a three-qubit GHZ state can pass the test with probability 5.1% higher than classical devices sharing arbitrary non-signaling correlations between pairs. More generally, we give a test that k space-like separated quantum devices can pass with higher probability than classical devices sharing arbitrary (k-1)-local non-signaling correlations.