Generalized Two-Qubit Whole and Half Hilbert-Schmidt Separability Probabilities

Paul B. Slater, Charles F. Dunkl

Published 2014-04-07, updated 2014-10-23Version 4

Compelling evidence-though yet no formal proof-has been adduced that the probability that a generic (standard) two-qubit state ($\rho$) is separable/disentangled is $\frac{8}{33}$ (arXiv:1301.6617, arXiv:1109.2560, arXiv:0704.3723). Proceeding in related analytical frameworks, using a further determinantal $4F3$-hypergeometric moment formula (Appendix A), we reach, {\it via} density-approximation procedures, the conclusion that one-half ($\frac{4}{33}$) of this probability arises when the determinantal inequality $|\rho^{PT}|>|\rho|$, where $PT$ denotes the partial transpose, is satisfied, and, the other half, when $|\rho|>|\rho^{PT}|$. These probabilities are taken with respect to the flat, Hilbert-Schmidt measure on the fifteen-dimensional convex set of $4 \times 4$ density matrices. We find fully parallel bisection/equipartition results for the previously adduced, as well, two-"re[al]bit" and two-"quater[nionic]bit"separability probabilities of $\frac{29}{64}$ and $\frac{26}{323}$, respectively. The new determinantal $4F3$-hypergeometric moment formula is, then, adjusted (Appendices B and C) to the boundary case of minimally degenerate states ($|\rho|=0$), and its consistency manifested-also using density-approximation-with a theorem of Szarek, Bengtsson and {\.Z}yczkowski (arXiv:quant-ph/0509008). This theorem states that the Hilbert-Schmidt separability probabilities of generic minimally degenerate two-qubit states are (again) one-half those of the corresponding generic nondegenerate states.