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Density Matrix and Density Operator Are Often Used Interchangeably. Both Matrix and Operator Are

The density matrix is a matrix that describes a quantum system in a mixed state, which is a statistical ensemble of quantum states as opposed to a single pure state. Mixed states can arise when the experimenter does not know the precise state being manipulated, such as in systems at thermal equilibrium or with an uncertain preparation history. The density matrix provides a quantum analogue to classical probability distributions and is a crucial tool in quantum decoherence theory. It represents a linear operator called the density operator, with density matrices and operators often used interchangeably in practice as both are self-adjoint, positive semi-definite matrices of trace one that can be infinite-dimensional.

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43 views1 page

Density Matrix and Density Operator Are Often Used Interchangeably. Both Matrix and Operator Are

The density matrix is a matrix that describes a quantum system in a mixed state, which is a statistical ensemble of quantum states as opposed to a single pure state. Mixed states can arise when the experimenter does not know the precise state being manipulated, such as in systems at thermal equilibrium or with an uncertain preparation history. The density matrix provides a quantum analogue to classical probability distributions and is a crucial tool in quantum decoherence theory. It represents a linear operator called the density operator, with density matrices and operators often used interchangeably in practice as both are self-adjoint, positive semi-definite matrices of trace one that can be infinite-dimensional.

Uploaded by

Margarita Serrano Crivelli
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Density matrix

A density matrix is a matrix that describes a quantum system in a mixed state, a statistical ensemble of
several quantum states. This should be contrasted with a single state vector that describes a quantum
system in a pure state. The density matrix is the quantum-mechanical analogue to a phase-space
probability measure (probability distribution of position and momentum) in classical statistical
mechanics.
Mixed states arise in situations where the experimenter does not know which particular states are being
manipulated. Examples include a system in thermal equilibrium (or additionally chemical equilibrium)
or a system with an uncertain or randomly varying preparation history (so one does not know which
pure state the system is in). Also, if a quantum system has two or more subsystems that are entangled,
then each subsystem must be treated as a mixed state even if the complete system is in a pure state.[1]
The density matrix is also a crucial tool in quantum decoherence theory.
The density matrix is a representation of a linear operator called the density operator. The close
relationship between matrices and operators is a basic concept in linear algebra. In practice, the terms
density matrix and density operator are often used interchangeably. Both matrix and operator are selfadjoint (or Hermitian), positive semi-definite, of trace one, and may be infinite-dimensional.[2]

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