English

Correct interpretation of trace normalized density matrices as ensembles

Quantum Physics 2008-02-03 v4

Abstract

A density operator, ρ=Pαα><α+Pββ><β\rho = {P}_{\alpha } |\alpha > <\alpha | + {P}_{\beta } |\beta > <\beta |, with Pα{P}_{\alpha } and Pβ{P}_{\beta } linearly independent normalized wave functions, must be traced normalized, so Pβ=1Pα{P}_{\beta } = 1 - {P}_{\alpha }. However, unless <αβ>=0<\alpha |\beta > = 0, Pα{P}_{\alpha } and Pβ{P}_{\beta } cannot be interpreted as probabilities of finding α>|\alpha > and β>|\beta > respectively. We show that a density matrix comprised of two (Pα{P}_{\alpha } and Pβ{P}_{\beta } nonzero) non-orthogonal projectors have unique spectral decomposition into diagonal form with orthogonal projectors. Only then, according to axioms of Von Neumann and Fock, can we have probability interpretation of that density matrix, only then can the diagonal elements be interpreted as probabilities of an ensemble. Those probabilities on the diagonal are not Pα{P}_{\alpha } and Pβ{P}_{\beta}. Further, only in the case of orthogonal projectors can we have the degenerate situation in which multiple ensembles are permitted.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.quant-ph/9606028,
  title  = {Correct interpretation of trace normalized density matrices as ensembles},
  author = {Paul M. Sheldon},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:quant-ph/9606028},
  year   = {2008}
}

Comments

Revision here adds two items : 1. an introduction attempting to illuminate debate by Penrose and Hawking on Schrodinger's cat in their book, "The nature of space and time", and 2. references extending my work inspired by Andreas Albrecht "Following a Collapsing Wavefunction" (hep-th/9309051). 6 pages, latex, refers to hep-th/9309051