Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon in which two or more particles become correlated in such a way that the state of one particle is immediately connected to the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them. This instantaneous correlation has been referred to as "spooky action at a distance" by Albert Einstein.
The mechanism behind quantum entanglement is not fully understood and is still a subject of active research and debate in the field of quantum physics. However, there are a few conceptual frameworks that are commonly used to explain this phenomenon.
One interpretation is based on the concept of quantum superposition and the collapse of the wave function upon measurement. According to this view, when two particles become entangled, their individual quantum states form a combined or entangled state that cannot be described independently. This entangled state contains correlations between the properties of the particles. When a measurement is made on one of the entangled particles, the entangled state collapses, instantaneously determining the state of the other particle, regardless of the distance between them.
Another interpretation is based on the concept of quantum information and the idea that entangled particles share a hidden connection that transcends physical space. This hidden connection is often referred to as a "quantum channel" or "quantum link." According to this view, when the state of one entangled particle is changed, the information about that change is instantly communicated through this hidden connection to the other entangled particle, allowing it to "know" the state of its partner.
It's important to note that these explanations are theoretical models used to describe and make predictions about experimental observations. The nature of quantum entanglement and the mechanism by which particles "know" each other's state are still open questions in physics, and further research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon.