Nonmaximally Entangled States: Production, Characterization, and Utilization

Using a spontaneous-down-conversion photon source, we produce true nonmaximally entangled states, i.e., without the need for postselection. The degree and phase of entanglement are readily tunable, and are characterized both by a standard analysis using coincidence minima, and by quantum state tomography of the two-photon state. Using the latter, we experimentally reconstruct the reduced density matrix for the polarization. Finally, we use these states to measure the Hardy fraction, obtaining a result that is 122{sigma} from any local-realistic result. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society }