Direct estimation of elements of quantum states algebra and entanglement detection via linear contractions

Possibility of some nonlinear-like operations in quantum mechanics are studied. Some general formula for real linear maps are derived. With the results we show how to perform physically separability tests based on any linear contraction (on product states) that either is real or Hermitian. We also show how to estimate either product or linear combinations of quantum states without knowledge about the states themselves. This can be viewed as a sort of quantum computing on quantum states algebra. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.