Reliable Quantum Steering Detection under Imperfect Measurement
Ting Zhang, W. Zhang, Jing-Tao Qiu, Leilei Huang, Xiao Hui Yuan, Qi-Ming Ding · Physical Review Letters · 2026
Quantum steering, a fundamental manifestation of nonlocal quantum correlations, plays a vital role in quantum key distribution, quantum randomness generation, and quantum metrology. Reliable experimental detection of quantum steering is therefore a key task in quantum information science, but it is often hindered by measurement imperfections. Here, we introduce a randomized measurement protocol designed to mitigate the effects of imperfect measurements and enhance detection reliability. We theoretically prove that this approach effectively suppresses measurement errors by requiring only local operations on the trusted party; moreover, its dimension-independent nature ensures ready adaptability to quantum systems of arbitrary finite size. We experimentally validate the method using polarization-entangled photons, demonstrating consistent performance under controlled misalignments for both 2- and 3-setting configurations. Our results provide a practical and reliable framework for steering detection in realistic experimental conditions, paving the way for its integration into quantum certification and communication protocols.