Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 iii Paper 323 2 ii Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
The positive partial transpose criterion states that every separable quantum state satisfiesConsequently, 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.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 iii Paper 323 2 v Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
At the proposed boundary , the identity from part (iv) yieldsBoth 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. ThereforeOn the antisymmetric subspace, has eigenvalue , so the corresponding eigenvalue of iswhich 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 .