Unified approach to contextuality, nonlocality, and temporal correlations

Abstract

We highlight the existence of a joint probability distribution as the common underpinning assumption behind Bell-type, contextuality, and Leggett-Garg-type tests. We then present a procedure to translate contextual scenarios into temporal Leggett-Garg-type and spatial Bell-type ones. To demonstrate the generality of this approach we construct a family of spatial Bell-type inequalities. We show that in the Leggett-Garg scenario a necessary condition for contextuality in time is given by a violation of consistency conditions in the consistent histories approach to quantum mechanics.