A proof of the Kochen–Specker theorem can always be converted to a state-independent noncontextuality inequality

Abstract

Quantum contextuality is one of the fundamental notions in quantum mechanics. Proofs of the Kochen–Specker theorem and noncontextuality inequalities are two means for revealing the contextuality phenomenon in quantum mechanics. It has been found that some proofs of the Kochen-Specker theorem, such as those based on rays, can be converted to a state-independent noncontextuality inequality, but it remains open whether this is true in general, i.e., whether any proof of the Kochen-Specker theorem can always be converted to a noncontextuality inequality. In this paper, we address this issue. We prove that all kinds of proofs of the Kochen-Specker theorem, based on rays or any other observables, can always be converted to state-independent noncontextuality inequalities. Besides, our constructive proof also provides a general approach for deriving a state-independent noncontextuality inequality from a proof of the KS theorem.

Keywords

• Kochen-Specker theorem
• noncontextuality inequality
• quantum contextuality
• 03.65.Ta
• 03.65.Ud