The positive partial transpose criterion states that every separable quantum state satisfies
Consequently, a negative eigenvalue of the partial transpose proves entanglement. Positivity of the partial transpose is also sufficient for separability in dimensions and , equivalently , but it is not sufficient in general higher dimensions.
At the proposed boundary , the identity from part (iv) yields
Both and are convex combinations of product states, so is a separable quantum state. For , the state is a convex combination of and the maximally mixed product state , and is therefore separable.
For the converse, the partial transpose of the maximally entangled projector is , where is the swap operator. Therefore
On the antisymmetric subspace, has eigenvalue , so the corresponding eigenvalue of is
which is negative exactly when . The positive partial transpose criterion then proves that is entangled. Thus
Swap operator 2026-09-24
The swap operator exchanges two tensor factors: . It has eigenvalue on the symmetric subspace and on the antisymmetric subspace, and the partial transpose of is .