The phenomenon of quantum entanglement has been extensively studied and verified through numerous experiments. The fact that entangled particles exhibit correlations that cannot be explained by classical physics strongly supports the idea that there is a genuine non-local connection between them, rather than them being created as opposites without any communication.
Here are a few reasons why we believe quantum entanglement involves genuine non-local connections:
Violation of Bell's inequalities: In 1964, physicist John Bell derived a set of mathematical inequalities that any theory based on local hidden variables (the idea that particles have predetermined properties independent of measurement) must satisfy. However, experiments testing Bell's inequalities have consistently shown violations, indicating that the correlations between entangled particles cannot be explained by local hidden variables. These violations strongly suggest that entangled particles are connected in a non-local way.
Experimental confirmation: Numerous experiments have been conducted to test the predictions of entanglement, and the results consistently support the existence of non-local connections. These experiments have included tests of entanglement in various physical systems, such as photons, electrons, and atoms, and have shown that the correlations between entangled particles are instantaneous and cannot be explained by any classical communication between them.
No-signaling theorem: The no-signaling theorem is a fundamental result in quantum mechanics that states that entangled particles cannot be used to transmit information faster than the speed of light. This theorem ensures that even though entangled particles exhibit non-local correlations, they cannot be exploited for faster-than-light communication or signaling. The no-signaling theorem helps reconcile entanglement with the principle of causality and ensures that entanglement does not violate our understanding of the speed limit imposed by relativity.
Practical applications: The phenomenon of quantum entanglement has practical applications in various fields, including quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum teleportation. These applications rely on the genuine non-local connections between entangled particles and would not be possible if entanglement could be explained solely by particles being created as opposites without any communication.
Taken together, these experimental results, theoretical analyses, and practical applications provide strong evidence that quantum entanglement involves genuine non-local connections between particles, rather than them simply being created as opposites without any communication.