Testing time order and Leggett-Garg inequalities with noninvasive measurements on public quantum computers

Abstract We demonstrate the first violation of the Leggett-Garg inequality and time-order noninvariance on public quantum computers using genuine noninvasive measurements. By gathering sufficiently large statistics, we have been able to violate Leggett-Garg inequality and time-order invariance. The detailed analysis of the data on 10 qubit sets from 5 devices available on IBM Quantum and one on IonQ reveals violations beyond 5 standard deviations in almost all cases. We implemented our protocols using fractional gates, newly available on the IBM Heron devices, allowing us to benchmark them in application to weak measurements. The noninvasiveness is supported by a qualitative and quantitative agreement with the model of weak disturbance. Moreover, our data expose statistically significant deviations from theoretical predictions that exceed declared device error rates, establishing weak measurement protocols as a sensitive benchmark for quantum hardware. These advances transform public quantum computers into practical testbeds for probing foundational questions of realism and temporal order with unprecedented accessibility and precision.

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Publication Details

Journal
EPJ Quantum Technology
Published
2026-01-05
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-025-00457-9
Primary Topic
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Testing time order and Leggett-Garg inequalities with noninvasive measurements on public quantum computers

Wolfgang Belzig, Tomasz Białecki, Adam Szereszewski, Bartłomiej Zglinicki et al.
EPJ Quantum Technology
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
article

Testing time order and Leggett-Garg inequalities with noninvasive measurements on public quantum computers

Wolfgang Belzig, Tomasz Białecki, Adam Szereszewski, Bartłomiej Zglinicki, Tomasz Rybotycki, Adam Bednorz, Josep Amengual i Batle
article en

Abstract

Abstract We demonstrate the first violation of the Leggett-Garg inequality and time-order noninvariance on public quantum computers using genuine noninvasive measurements. By gathering sufficiently large statistics, we have been able to violate Leggett-Garg inequality and time-order invariance. The detailed analysis of the data on 10 qubit sets from 5 devices available on IBM Quantum and one on IonQ reveals violations beyond 5 standard deviations in almost all cases. We implemented our protocols using fractional gates, newly available on the IBM Heron devices, allowing us to benchmark them in application to weak measurements. The noninvasiveness is supported by a qualitative and quantitative agreement with the model of weak disturbance. Moreover, our data expose statistically significant deviations from theoretical predictions that exceed declared device error rates, establishing weak measurement protocols as a sensitive benchmark for quantum hardware. These advances transform public quantum computers into practical testbeds for probing foundational questions of realism and temporal order with unprecedented accessibility and precision.

EPJ Quantum TechnologyVol. 13(1)
University of Konstanz (DE), University of Łódź (PL), Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center (PL), University of Warsaw (PL), Universitat de les Illes Balears (ES), Systems Research Institute (PL), AGH University of Krakow (PL), Polish Academy of Sciences (PL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 98%
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
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