Bell state

noun

One of a set of four entangled states, namely |Φ⁺⟩=1/√2(|00⟩+|11⟩), |Φ⁻⟩=1/√2(|00⟩-|11⟩), |Ψ⁺⟩=1/√2(|01⟩+|10⟩), and |Ψ⁻⟩=1/√2(|01⟩-|10⟩), where |xy⟩:=|x⟩⊗|y⟩; these are the simplest examples of entangled states.

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Meanings

nounBell state (plural Bell states)

plural Bell states

  1. quantum information scienceOne of a set of four entangled states, namely |Φ⁺⟩=1/√2(|00⟩+|11⟩), |Φ⁻⟩=1/√2(|00⟩-|11⟩), |Ψ⁺⟩=1/√2(|01⟩+|10⟩), and |Ψ⁻⟩=1/√2(|01⟩-|10⟩), where |xy⟩:=|x⟩⊗|y⟩; these are the simplest examples of entangled states.

Origin

Named after John Stewart Bell (1928–1990), Irish physicist.

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Cite this entry
APA

Bell state. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bell%20state

MLA

“Bell state.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bell%20state. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Bell state,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Bell%20state.

Source: Bell state on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.