Quantum correlations in two-fermion systems

We characterize and classify quantum correlations in two-fermion systems having 2K single-particle states. For pure states we introduce the Slater decomposition and rank (in analogy to Schmidt decomposition and rank); i.e., we decompose the state into a combination of elementary Slater determinants formed by pairs of mutually orthogonal single-particle states. Mixed states can be characterized by their Slater number which is the minimal Slater rank required to generate them. For K=2 we give a necessary and sufficient condition for a state to have a Slater number 1. We introduce a correlation measure for mixed states which can be evaluated analytically for K=2. For higher K, we provide a method of constructing and optimizing Slater number witnesses, i.e., operators that detect Slater numbers for some states.