Entangled Qubit States and Linear Entropy in the Probability Representation of Quantum Mechanics

The superposition states of two qubits including entangled Bell states are considered in the probability representation of quantum mechanics. The superposition principle formulated in terms of the nonlinear addition rule of the state density matrices is formulated as a nonlinear addition rule of the probability distributions describing the qubit states. The generalization of the entanglement properties to the case of superposition of two-mode oscillator states is discussed using the probability representation of quantum states.     

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 Damped Oscillator in Probability Representation

The probability distribution describing quantum states of the damped oscillator in the framework of the Caldirola-Kanai model is introduced. The probability distributions for coherent states and Fock states of the damped oscillator are found explicitly. The transition probability for the damped oscillator is expressed in terms of distributions describing initial and final states.     

Probability Vectors within the Classical and Quantum Frameworks

We consider properties of the probability distributions associated with both classical and quantum systems. We discuss the notion of distances between the probability vectors and between the density states. We study the transforms of the probability vectors by means of stochastic and bistochastic matrices. We review the concept of positive and completely positive maps from the viewpoint of the tomographic-probability approach for describing the quantum states and their dynamics.     

Quantum theory: A Hilbert space formalism for probability theory

It is shown that the Hilbert space formalism of quantum mechanics can be derived as a corrected form of probability theory. These constructions yield the Schrödinger equation for a particle in an electromagnetic field and exhibit a relationship of this equation to Markov processes. The operator formalism for expectation values is shown to be related to anL ² representation of marginal distributions and a relationship of the commutation rules for canonically conjugate observables to a topological relationship of two manifolds is indicated.     

Quantum correlations and tomographic representation

We review the probabilistic representation of quantum mechanics within which states are described by the probability distribution rather than by the wavefunction and density matrix. Uncertainty relations have been obtained in the form of integral inequalities containing measurable optical tomograms of quantum states. Formulas for the transition probabilities and purity parameter have been derived in terms of the tomographic probability distributions. Inequalities for Shannon and Rényi entropies associated with quantum tomograms have been obtained. A scheme of the star product of tomograms has been developed.     

Triangle Geometry for Qutrit States in the Probability Representation

We express the matrix elements of the density matrix of the qutrit state in terms of probabilities associated with artificial qubit states. We show that the quantum statistics of qubit states and observables is formally equivalent to the statistics of classical systems with three random vector variables and three classical probability distributions obeying special constrains found in this study. The Bloch spheres geometry of qubit states is mapped onto triangle geometry of qubits. We investigate the triada of Malevich’s squares describing the qubit states in quantum suprematism picture and the inequalities for the areas of the squares for qutrit (spin-1 system). We expressed quantum channels for qutrit states in terms of a linear transform of the probabilities determining the qutrit-state density matrix.     

The driven-oscillator evolution in the tomographic-probability representation

We consider the problem of the driven harmonic oscillator in the probability representation of quantum mechanics, where the oscillator states are described by fair nonnegative probability distributions of position measured in rotated and squeezed reference frames in the system??s phase space. For some specific oscillator states like coherent states and nth excited states, the tomographic-probability distributions (called the state tomograms) are found in an explicit form. The evolution equation for the tomograms is discussed for the classical and quantum driven oscillators, and the tomographic propagator for this equation is studied.     

Unitary and Nonunitary Evolution of Qubit States in Probability Representation of Quantum Mechanics

Review of the probability representation of qubit states and observables is presented as well as the picture of states of two-level systems in terms of Triada of Malevich’s squares. A new relation of introduced probability parameters is obtained. Also, it is offered a method to visualize the quantum channel’s maps of qubit states. Evolution of the two-level system is considered in terms of Triada of Malevich’s squares in case of Rabi and Demkov models.

     

Polarization States of Light and Their Quantum Tomography

The notion and main features of polarization states of light are discussed within the framework of classical and quantum optics. This notion is shown to be correctly defined for arbitrary light beams only within quantum optics by using the P-quasispin formalism developed earlier. Polarization states of quantum light are shown to be fully described by a polarization density operator (PDO) obtained via reducing the total field density operator. Theoretical foundations are given for quantum tomography of polarization states of light fields considered as a way of measuring PDO. Herewith, the main attention is paid to a method where proper polarization tomographic observables (PDO “measurers”) are used. The method is shown to be adequately formulated by means of quasi-spectral tomographic expansions of PDO in special operator bases (given by finite sums of partially orthogonal projectors), which determine probability distributions of tomographic observables as expansion coefficients. Matrix versions of such “tomographic” PDO representations are obtained. In particular, projections of these expansions on quasiclassical operator bases, determining polarization quasiprobability functions, are given. An example of experimental implementation of polarization tomography of unpolarized light (biphoton radiation with hidden polarization) is analyzed.     

Quantum Set Theory

The complete orthomodular lattice of closed subspaces of a Hilbert space is considered as the logic describing a quantum physical system, and called a quantum logic. G. Takeuti developed a quantum set theory based on the quantum logic. He showed that the real numbers defined in the quantum set theory represent observables in quantum physics. We formulate the quantum set theory by introducing a strong implication corresponding to the lattice order, and represent the basic concepts of quantum physics such as propositions, symmetries, and states in the quantum set theory.     

Contextuality and the probability representation of quantum states

We consider the notions of contextuality and noncontextuality within the framework of the probability representation of quantum states. We present an example of qutrit states and violation of the noncontextuality inequalities using the spin tomogram and tomographic symbols of the observables.     

The Quantum Harmonic Oscillator in the ESR Model

The ESR model proposes a new theoretical perspective which incorporates the mathematical formalism of standard (Hilbert space) quantum mechanics (QM) in a noncontextual framework, reinterpreting quantum probabilities as conditional on detection instead of absolute. We have provided in some previous papers mathematical representations of the physical entities introduced by the ESR model, namely observables, properties, pure states, proper and improper mixtures, together with rules for calculating conditional and overall probabilities, and for describing transformations of states induced by measurements. We study in this paper the relevant physical case of the quantum harmonic oscillator in our mathematical formalism. We reinterpret the standard quantum rules for probabilities, provide new expressions for absolute probabilities, and show how the standard state transformations must be modified according to the ESR model.     

Standard quantum mechanics featuring probabilities instead of wave functions

A new formulation of quantum mechanics (probability representation) is discussed. In this representation, a quantum state is described by a standard positive definite probability distribution (tomogram) rather than by a wave function. An unambiguous relation (analog of Radon transformation) between the density operator and a tomogram is constructed both for continuous coordinates and for spin variables. A novel feature of a state, tomographic entropy, is considered, and its connection with von Neumann entropy is discussed. A one-to-one map of quantum observables (Hermitian operators) on positive probability distributions is found.     

Analog of Formula of Total Probability for Quantum Observables Represented by Positive Operator Valued Measures

We represent Born’s rule as an analog of the formula of total probability (FTP): the classical formula is perturbed by an additive interference term. In this note we consider practically the most general case: generalized quantum observables given by positive operator valued measures and measurement feedback on states described by atomic instruments. This representation of Born’s rule clarifies the probabilistic structure of quantum mechanics (QM). The probabilistic counterpart of QM can be treated as the probability update machinery based on the special generalization of classical FTP. This is the essence of the Växjö interpretation of QM: statistical realist contextual and local interpretation. We analyze the origin of the additional interference term in quantum FTP by considering the contextual structure of the two slit experiment which was emphasized by R. Feynman.     

The physical meaning of quantization

After analyzing the difficulties for a local realistic interpretation of quantum theory, it is argued that such an interpretation might be possible if some new postulates are added to the standard ones. We propose a stochastic interpretation of quantum theory, which involves the need of joint probability distributions for all relevant observables. The well known problems for the existence of joint distributions are solved by assuming that neither all Hermitian operators correspond to observables nor all density matrices represent physical states. A research program along these lines is presented studying in particular the Maxwell quantum field and the Dirac field.     

Observables,Evolution Equation,and Stationary States Equation in the Joint Probability Representation of Quantum Mechanics

Symplectic and optical joint probability representations of quantum mechanics are considered, in which the functions describing the states are the probability distributions with all random arguments (except the argument of time). The general formalism of quantizers and dequantizers determining the star product quantization scheme in these representations is given. Taking the Gaussian functions as the distributions of the tomographic parameters the correspondence rules for most interesting physical operators are found and the expressions of the dual symbols of operators in the form of singular and regular generalized functions are derived. Evolution equations and stationary states equations for symplectic and optical joint probability distributions are obtained.     

Thermodynamic Properties of Non-equilibrium States in Quantum Field Theory

Within the framework of relativistic quantum field theory, a novel method is established which allows for distinguishing non-equilibrium states admitting locally a thermodynamic interpretation. The basic idea is to compare these states with global equilibrium states (KMS states) by means of local thermal observables. With the help of such observables, the states can be ordered into classes of increasing local thermal stability. Moreover, it is possible to identify states exhibiting certain specific thermal properties of interest, such as a definite local temperature or entropy density. The method is illustrated in a simple model describing the spatio-temporal evolution of a “big heat bang.”     

Conformal Symmetry and Quantum Relativity

The relativistic conception of space and time is challenged by the quantum nature of physical observables. It has been known for a long time that Poincare symmetry of field theory can be extended to the larger conformal symmetry. We use these symmetries to define quantum observables associated with positions in space-time, in the spirit of Einstein theory of relativity. This conception of localization may be applied to massive as well as massless fields. Localization observables are defined as to obey Lorentz covariant commutation relations and in particular include a time observable conjugated to energy. While position components do not commute in the presence of a nonvanishing spin, they still satisfy quantum relations which generalize the differential laws of classical relativity. We also give of these observables a representation in terms of canonical spatial positions, canonical spin components, and a proper time operator conjugated to mass. These results plead for a new representation not only of space-time localization but also of motion.     

Quantum tomography as a new approach to simulating quantum processes

A new method is proposed for ab initio calculations of nonstationary quantum processes on the basis of a probability representation of quantum mechanics with the help of a positive definite function (quantum tomogram). The essence of the method is that an ensemble of trajectories associated with the characteristics of the evolution equation for the quantum tomogram is considered in the space where the quantum tomogram is defined. The method is applied for detailed analysis of transient tunneling of a wave packet. The results are in good agreement with the exact numerical solution to the Schrödinger equation for this system. The probability density distributions are obtained in the coordinate and momentum spaces at consecutive instances. For transient tunneling of a wave packet, the probability of penetration behind the barrier and the time of tunneling are calculated as functions of the initial energy.