Contextuality with a Small Number of Observables

Abstract

We investigate small geometric configurations that furnish observable-based proofs of the Kochen-Specker theorem. Assuming that each context consists of the same number of observables and each observable is shared by two contexts, it is proved that the most economical proofs are the famous Mermin-Peres square and the Mermin pentagram featuring, respectively, $9$ and $10$ observables, there being no proofs using less than $9$ observables. We also propose a new proof with $14$ observables forming a `magic' heptagram. On the other hand, some other prominent small-size finite geometries, like the Pasch configuration and the prism, are shown not to be contextual.

12 pages, 9 figures

References in corpus (3)

• Hidden Variables and the Two Theorems of John Bell
• On small proofs of Bell-Kochen-Specker theorem for two, three and four qubits
• Geometric contextuality from the Maclachlan-Martin Kleinian groups

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