English

Geometric description of modular and weak values in discrete quantum systems using the Majorana representation

Quantum Physics 2017-07-04 v2

Abstract

We express modular and weak values of observables of three- and higher-level quantum systems in their polar form. The Majorana representation of N-level systems in terms of symmetric states of N-1 qubits provides us with a description on the Bloch sphere. With this geometric approach, we find that modular and weak values of observables of N-level quantum systems can be factored in N-1 contributions. Their modulus is determined by the product of N-1 ratios involving projection probabilities between qubits, while their argument is deduced from a sum of N-1 solid angles on the Bloch sphere. These theoretical results allow us to study the geometric origin of the quantum phase discontinuity around singularities of weak values in three-level systems. We also analyze the three-box paradox [1] from the point of view of a bipartite quantum system. In the Majorana representation of this paradox, an observer comes to opposite conclusions about the entanglement state of the particles that were successfully pre- and postselected.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1612.07023,
  title  = {Geometric description of modular and weak values in discrete quantum systems using the Majorana representation},
  author = {Mirko Cormann and Yves Caudano},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1612.07023},
  year   = {2017}
}