We present a complete treatment for the quantum discord of two-qubit $X$ states, by developing a geometric picture of a quantum steering ellipsoid. It is shown that either a von Neumann measurement or a three-element positive-operator-valued measurement is optimal. The condition for the latter is obtained and expressed in geometric language. We show, by using analytical as well as numerical results, that there is a systematic structure in the optimal decomposition which exists in a class of states including the $X$ states. More significantly, we establish the relation to the quantum channel by identifying the steering ellipsoid with the quantum channel ellipsoid. Thus the quantum discord and classical correlation are closely related to the concept of the entanglement entropy of the quantum channel.

• Received 30 October 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.85.064104