Quantum Correlations in Two-Fermion Systems

Abstract

We characterize and classify quantum correlations in two-fermion systems having 2K single-particle states. For pure states we introduce the Slater decomposition and rank (in analogy to Schmidt decomposition and rank), i.e. we decompose the state into a combination of elementary Slater determinants formed by mutually orthogonal single-particle states. Mixed states can be characterized by their Slater number which is the minimal Slater rank required to generate them. For K=2 we give a necessary and sufficient condition for a state to have a Slater number of 1. We introduce a correlation measure for mixed states which can be evaluated analytically for K=2. For higher K, we provide a method of constructing and optimizing Slater number witnesses, i.e. operators that detect Slater number for some states.