$k$-Entanglement Measure for Multipartite Systems without Convex-Roof Extensions and its Evaluation

Abstract

Multipartite entanglement underpins quantum technologies but its study is limited by the lack of universal measures, unified frameworks, and the intractability of convex-roof extensions. We establish an axiomatic framework and introduce the first \emph{true} $k$-entanglement measure, $E_w^{(k,n)}$, which satisfies all axioms, establishes $k$-entanglement as a multipartite quantum resource, avoids convex-roof constructions, and is efficiently computable. A universal algorithm evaluates arbitrary finite-dimensional states, with open-source software covering all partitions of four-qubit systems. Numerical tests certify $k$-entanglement within 200 seconds, consistent with necessary-and-sufficient criteria, tightening bounds and revealing new thresholds. This framework offers a scalable, practical tool for rigorous multipartite entanglement quantification.