Discrete and generalized phase space techniques in critical quantum spin chains

We apply the Wigner function formalism from quantum optics via two approaches, Wootters' discrete Wigner function and the generalized Wigner function, to detect quantum phase transitions in critical spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ systems. We develop a general formula relating the phase space techniques and the thermodynamical quantities of spin models, which we apply to single, bipartite and multi-partite systems governed by the XY and the XXZ models. Our approach allows us to introduce a novel way to represent, detect, and distinguish first-, second- and infinite-order quantum phase transitions. Furthermore, we show that the factorization phenomenon of the XY model is only directly detectable by quantities based on the square root of the bipartite reduced density matrix. We establish that phase space techniques provide a simple, experimentally promising tool in the study of many-body systems and we discuss their relation with measures of quantum correlations and quantum coherence.     

从离散Wigner函数的角度探讨量子相干性度量

量子相干性是量子信息处理的基本要素,在量子计算中扮演着重要的角色.为了便于讨论量子相干性在量子计算中的作用,本文从离散Wigner函数角度对量子相干性进行了探讨.首先对奇素数维量子系统的离散Wigner函数进行了分析,分离出表征相干性的部分,提出了一种可能的基于离散Wigner函数的量子相干性度量方法,并对其进行了量子相干性度量规范的分析;同时也比较了该度量与l_1范数相干性度量之间的关系.重要的是,这种度量方法能够明确给出量子相干性程度与衡量量子态量子计算加速能力的负性和之间不等式关系,由此可以解析地解释量子相干性仅是量子计算加速的必要条件.     

Wigner distribution,nonclassicality and decoherence of generalized and reciprocal binomial states

There are quantum states of light that can be expressed as finite superpositions of Fock states (FSFS). We demonstrate the nonclassicality of an arbitrary FSFS by means of its phase space distributions such as the Wigner function and the Q-function. The decoherence of the FSFS is studied by considering the time evolution of its Wigner function in amplitude decay and phase damping channels. As examples, we determine the nonclassicality and decoherence of generalized and reciprocal binomial states.     

The Phase Space Model of Nonrelativistic Quantum Mechanics

We focus on several questions arising during the modelling of quantum systems on a phase space. First, we discuss the choice of phase space and its structure. We include an interesting case of discrete phase space. Then, we introduce the respective algebras of functions containing quantum observables. We also consider the possibility of performing strict calculations and indicate cases where only formal considerations can be performed. We analyse alternative realisations of strict and formal calculi, which are determined by different kernels. Finally, two classes of Wigner functions as representations of states are investigated.     

Probability Representation of Quantum States

The review of new formulation of conventional quantum mechanics where the quantum states are identified with probability distributions is presented. The invertible map of density operators and wave functions onto the probability distributions describing the quantum states in quantum mechanics is constructed both for systems with continuous variables and systems with discrete variables by using the Born’s rule and recently suggested method of dequantizer–quantizer operators. Examples of discussed probability representations of qubits (spin-1/2, two-level atoms), harmonic oscillator and free particle are studied in detail. Schrödinger and von Neumann equations, as well as equations for the evolution of open systems, are written in the form of linear classical–like equations for the probability distributions determining the quantum system states. Relations to phase–space representation of quantum states (Wigner functions) with quantum tomography and classical mechanics are elucidated.     

Quantum distributions for localized quantum states

The principle of ergodicity of the quantum theory has been used for elaboration of a new technique for numerical simulation of the Wigner function of open dissipative quantum systems. With this purpose the density matrix of a quantum system is represented via averaging over the ensemble of quantum states in time intervals instead of averaging over the ensemble of stochastic variables. It is shown that this approach leads to new approximate expressions for quantum distributions in the phase space, in particular, Wigner functions for systems localized in the region of classical phase trajectories. As an application, the Wigner functions are calculated for the process of intracavity second harmonic generation in the region of Hopf bifurcations.     

Quantum phase distribution and the number—phase Wigner function of the generalized squeezed vacuum states associated with solvable quantum systems

The quantum phase properties of the generalized squeezed vacuum states associated with solvable quantum systems are studied by using the Pegg-Barnett formalism.Then,two nonclassical features,i.e.,squeezing in the number and phase operators,as well as the number-phase Wigner function of the generalized squeezed states are investigated.Due to some actual physical situations,the present approach is applied to two classes of generalized squeezed states:solvable quantum systems with discrete spectra and nonlinear squeezed states with particular nonlinear functions.Finally,the time evolution of the nonclassical properties of the considered systems has been numerically investigated.     

Quasidistributions and coherent states for finite-dimensional quantum systems

In recent years, an approach to discrete quantum phase spaces which comprehends all the main quasiprobability distributions known has been developed. It is the research that started with the pioneering work of Galetti and Piza, where the idea of operator bases constructed of discrete Fourier transforms of unitary displacement operators was first introduced. Subsequently, the discrete coherent states were introduced, and finally, the s-parametrized distributions, that include the Wigner, Husimi, and Glauber–Sudarshan distribution functions as particular cases. In the present work, we adapt its formulation to encompass some additional discrete symmetries, achieving an elegant yet physically sound formalism.     

Tunneling of an energy eigenstate through a parabolic barrier viewed from Wigner phase space

We analyze the tunneling of a particle through a repulsive potential resulting from an inverted harmonic oscillator in the quantum mechanical phase space described by the Wigner function. In particular, we solve the partial differential equations in phase space determining the Wigner function of an energy eigenstate of the inverted oscillator. The reflection or transmission coefficients R or T are then given by the total weight of all classical phase-space trajectories corresponding to energies below, or above the top of the barrier given by the Wigner function.     

Wigner function for the generalized excited pair coherent state

This paper introduces the generalized excited pair coherent state （GEPCS）. Using the entangled state 〈η〉 representation of Wigner operator, it obtains the Wigner function for the GEPCS. In the ρ-γ phase space, the variations of the Wigner function distributions with the parameters q, α, k and l are discussed. The tomogram of the GEPCS is calculated with the help of the Radon transform between the Wigner operator and the projection operator of the entangled state ｜η1, η2, τ1, τ2｜. The entangled states ｜η〉 and ｜η1, η2, τ1, τ2〉 provide two good representative space for studying the Wigner functions and tomograms of various two-mode correlated quantum states.     

The Negativity‐to‐Violation Map between Wigner Function and Quantum Contextuality Inequality for a Single Qudit

The relation between discrete Wigner function and quantum contextuality based on graph theory has been studied, following the work in [Nature 510,351(2014)]. To do this, non‐stabilizer projectors have been introduced to a series of non‐contextuality graphs based on stabilizer projectors for a single qudit with odd prime dimension. It has been found that, for a phase space point defined by Wootters, there exists a given set of states for an odd‐prime qudit where the negative discrete Wigner function on the phase space point means its quantum contextuality under measurements on the graphs designed by a specific method. To implement this method, a subset of non‐stabilizer projectors has been found. In the union of the set of states for all phase space points, there exists a negativity‐to‐violation map between Wigner function and quantum contextuality inequality. The robustness of the equivalence under depolarizing noise has been analyzed and discussed. For demonstration purposes, the graphs with different independence numbers and the corresponding set of states have been established on a single qutrit. Different to the cited work, this method involves only a single qudit, then is experimentally feasible for a qutrit.     

Quantum coherent versus classical coherent light

The paper shows that the Wigner distribution function of quantum optical coherent states, or of a superposition of such states, can be produced and measured with a classical optical set-up using classical coherent light fields. This measurement cannot be done directly in quantum optics since the quantum phase space variables correspond to non-commuting operators. As an example, the Wigner distribution function of Schrödinger cat states of light has been measured. It is also shown that the possibility of measuring the Wigner distribution function of quantum coherent states with classical coherent fields is unique in the sense that it cannot be extended to other quantum states, not even to the incoherent limit of the superposition of coherent states.     

Theoretical formulation of finite-dimensional discrete phase spaces: I. Algebraic structures and uncertainty principles

We propose a self-consistent theoretical framework for a wide class of physical systems characterized by a finite space of states which allows us, within several mathematical virtues, to construct a discrete version of the Weyl–Wigner–Moyal (WWM) formalism for finite-dimensional discrete phase spaces with toroidal topology. As a first and important application from this ab initio approach, we initially investigate the Robertson–Schrödinger (RS) uncertainty principle related to the discrete coordinate and momentum operators, as well as its implications for physical systems with periodic boundary conditions. The second interesting application is associated with a particular uncertainty principle inherent to the unitary operators, which is based on the Wiener–Khinchin theorem for signal processing. Furthermore, we also establish a modified discrete version for the well-known Heisenberg–Kennard–Robertson (HKR) uncertainty principle, which exhibits additional terms (or corrections) that resemble the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) into the context of quantum gravity. The results obtained from this new algebraic approach touch on some fundamental questions inherent to quantum mechanics and certainly represent an object of future investigations in physics.     

States in the Hilbert space formulation and in the phase space formulation of quantum mechanics

We consider the problem of testing whether a given matrix in the Hilbert space formulation of quantum mechanics or a function considered in the phase space formulation of quantum theory represents a quantum state. We propose several practical criteria for recognising states in these two versions of quantum physics. After minor modifications, they can be applied to check positivity of any operators acting in a Hilbert space or positivity of any functions from an algebra with a ∗$\ast$-product of Weyl type.     

Wigner function for discrete phase space: Exorcising ghost images

We construct, using simple geometrical arguments, a Wigner function defined on a discrete phase space of arbitrary integer Hilbert-space dimension that is free of redundancies. “Ghost images” plaguing other Wigner functions for discrete phase spaces are thus revealed as artifacts. It allows to devise a corresponding phase-space propagator in an unambiguous manner. We apply our definitions to eigenstates and propagator of the quantum baker map. Scars on unstable periodic points of the corresponding classical map become visible with unprecedented resolution.     

On the Moyal Formulation of Quantum Identical Particles

Wigner functions of permutation operators are obtained and are used as a basis for a phase space formulation of quantum identical particles. Non-spin systems as well as 1/2 spin systems are considered. The general results are applied to a couple of examples.     

Real Forms of Quantum Orthogonal Groups,q-Lorentz Groups in any Dimension

We review known real forms of the quantum orthogonal groups SO _q (N). New *-conjugations are then introduced and we contruct all real forms of quantum orthogonal groups. We thus give an RTT formulation of the *-conjugations on SO _q (N) that is complementary to the U _q (g) *-structure classification of Twietmeyer. In particular, we easily find and describe the real forms SO _q (N-1,1) for any value of N. Quantum subspaces of the q-Minkowski space are analyzed.