Quantum entanglement and order parameter in a paired finite Fermi system

We study the pairing correlations in a finite Fermi system from the quantum entanglement point of view. We investigate the relation between the order parameter, which has been introduced recently to describe both finite and infinite superconductors, and the concurrence. For a proper definition of the concurrence, we argue that a possible generalization of the spin flip transformation is a time reversal operation. While for a system with indefinite number of particles concurrence is a good measure of entanglement, for a finite system it does not distinguish between normal and superconducting states. We propose that the expectation value of the radial operator for the total pseudospin can be used to identify entanglement of pairing. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved