- Letter
Robust mixed-state cluster states and spurious topological entanglement negativity
Phys. Rev. B 112, L161121 – Published 22 October, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/g9bs-s562
Abstract
We investigate one-dimensional (1D) and 2D cluster states under local decoherence to assess the robustness of their mixed-state subsystem symmetry-protected topological (SSPT) order. By exactly computing fidelity correlators via dimensional reduction of effective statistical mechanics models, we pinpoint the critical error rate for strong-to-weak spontaneous breaking of strong subsystem symmetry. Without resorting to the replica trick, we demonstrate that mixed-state SSPT order remains remarkably robust up to the maximal decoherence rate when noise respects strong subsystem symmetry. Furthermore, we propose that the mixed-state SSPT order can be detected by a constant correction to the area-law scaling of entanglement negativity, termed spurious topological entanglement negativity. This also highlights that topological entanglement negativity, a widely used diagnostic for mixed-state topological order, is generally not invariant under finite-depth quantum channels.
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Corrections
25 February, 2026
Correction: Support statements in the Acknowledgments section have been clarified.