Classical images as quantum entanglement: An image processing analogy of the GHZ experiment

In this paper we present an optical analogy of quantum entanglement by means of classical images. As in previous works, the quantum state of two or more qbits is encoded by using the spatial modulation in amplitude and phase of an electromagnetic field. We show here that bidimensional encoding of two qbit states allows us to interpret some non local features of the joint measurement by the assumption of “astigmatic” observers with different resolving power in two orthogonal directions. As an application, we discuss the optical simulation of measuring a system characterized by multiparticle entanglement. The simulation is based on a local representation of entanglement and a classical interferometric system. In particular we show how to simulate the Greenberger–Horne Zeilinger (GHZ) argument and the experimental results which interpretation illustrates the conflict between quantum mechanics and local realism. ► Classical optics representation of quantum entanglement. ► Interpretation of non-local properties of the joint measurement of entangled states. ► An optical setup to simulate measurements on multiparticle entanglement. ► Classical quantum analogy to test the GHZ argument. ► Classical optical simulation provides a new way to look in quantum mechanics.