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arXiv:2410.21949 · Physical Review A

Symplectic structures in quantum entanglement

Piotr Dulian, Adam Sawicki

Published Aug 14, 2025• 0 citations
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Abstract

In this work we explore the implications of applying the formalism of symplectic geometry to quantum mechanics, particularly focusing on many-particle systems. We extend the concept of a symplectic indicator of entanglement, originally introduced by Sawicki et al., Commun. Math. Phys. 305, 441 (2011), to these complex systems. Specifically, we demonstrate that the restriction of the symplectic structure to manifolds comprising all states characterized by isospectral reduced one-particle density matrices ${M}_{\ensuremath{\mu}(\ensuremath{\psi})}^{0}$ exhibits degeneracy for nonseparable states. We prove that the degree of degeneracy at any given state $|\ensuremath{\varphi}\ensuremath{\rangle}\ensuremath{\in}{M}_{\ensuremath{\mu}(\ensuremath{\psi})}^{0}$ corresponds to the degree of degeneracy of the symplectic form $\ensuremath{\omega}$ when restricted to the manifold of states that are locally unitary equivalent with $|\ensuremath{\varphi}\ensuremath{\rangle}$. Additionally, we provide a physical interpretation of this symplectic indicator of entanglement, articulating it as an inherent ambiguity within the associated classical dynamical framework. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of symplectic geometry in elucidating entanglement properties in quantum mechanics and suggest avenues for further exploration into the geometric structures underlying quantum state spaces.

DOI
10.1103/qktr-8vsd

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In this work we explore the implications of applying the formalism of symplectic geometry to quantum mechanics, particularly focusing on many-particle systems. We extend the concept of a symplectic indicator of entanglement, originally introduced by Sawicki et al., Commun. Math. Phys. 305, 441 (2011), to these complex systems. Specifically, we demonstrate that the restriction of the symplectic structure to manifolds comprising all states characterized by isospectral reduced one-particle density matrices M\ensuremathμ(\ensuremathψ)0{M}_{\ensuremath{\mu}(\ensuremath{\psi})}^{0}M\ensuremathμ(\ensuremathψ)0​ exhibits degeneracy for nonseparable states. We prove that the degree of degeneracy at any given state ∣\ensuremathφ\ensuremath⟩\ensuremath∈M\ensuremathμ(\ensuremathψ)0|\ensuremath{\varphi}\ensuremath{\rangle}\ensuremath{\in}{M}_{\ensuremath{\mu}(\ensuremath{\psi})}^{0}∣\ensuremathφ\ensuremath⟩\ensuremath∈M\ensuremathμ(\ensuremathψ)0​ corresponds to the degree of degeneracy of the symplectic form \ensuremathω\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremathω when restricted to the manifold of states that are locally unitary equivalent with ∣\ensuremathφ\ensuremath⟩|\ensuremath{\varphi}\ensuremath{\rangle}∣\ensuremathφ\ensuremath⟩. Additionally, we provide a physical interpretation of this symplectic indicator of entanglement, articulating it as an inherent ambiguity within the associated classical dynamical framework. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of symplectic geometry in elucidating entanglement properties in quantum mechanics and suggest avenues for further exploration into the geometric structures underlying quantum state spaces.
In this thesis we study the roles played by symplectic geometry in quantum mechanics,in particular quantum dynamics and quantum information theory treated as two separate parts. The common ground for both parts is the geometrical formulation of quantum mechanics. In Chapter 2, we review the associated complex projective Hilbert space of quantum pure states, with symplectic and Riemannian structures and their roles in quantum dynamics and kinematics. In Chapter 3, we motivate the idea of information-theoretic constraint on the differentiable manifold of probability distributions through the maximum uncertainty principle and the linear Schrodinger equation by introduction of the wave function. In Chapter 4, we review both regular and singular symplectic reduction of a symplectic manifold, which is acted upon properly and symplectically by a compact Lie group. Chapter 5 contains the author's original contributions to the first part of the thesis. In this chapter, by using the same information-theoretic discussion of the Chapter 3 we propose a non-relativistic, spin-less, non-linear quantum dynamical equation,with the Fisher information metric replaced by the Jensen-Shannon distance information. Furthermore, we show that the non-linear Schrodinger equation is in fact a Hamiltonian dynamics, namely it preserves the symplectic structure of the complex Hilbert space. The projected dynamics on the corresponding projective Hilbert space is derived and its properties are highlighted in further details. Chapter 6 contains the author's primary contributions to the second part of the thesis. In particular, by using the singular symplectic reduction of the Chapter 4 we explicitly construct the space of entanglement types of three-qubit pure states with a specific (shifted) spectra of single-particle reduced density matrices. Moreover, we obtain the image of the symplectic quotient under the induced Hilbert map, by using local unitary invariant polynomials. Then the symplectic structure on the principal stratum of the symplectic quotient is derived. Finally, it is discussed that other lower dimensional strata are relative equilibria on the original manifold and their stability properties are investigated under compact subgroups of the local unitary transformations.
We present a description of entanglement in composite quantum systems in terms of symplectic geometry. We provide a symplectic characterization of sets of equally entangled states as orbits of group actions in the space of states. In particular, using the Kostant-Sternberg theorem, we show that separable states form a unique symplectic orbit, whereas orbits of entangled states are characterized by different degrees of degeneracy of the canonical symplectic form on the complex projective space. The degree of degeneracy may be thus used as a new geometric measure of entanglement. The above statements remain true for systems with an arbitrary number of components, moreover the presented method is general and can be applied also under different additional symmetry conditions stemming, e.g., from the indistinguishability of particles. We show how to calculate the degeneracy for various multiparticle systems providing also simple criteria of separability.
This thesis, explores the quantum entanglement and evolution through both a geometric and dynamical perspective. The first part focuses on classical phase space and its central role in Hamiltonian mechanics, emphasizing the importance of symplectic structures in describing mechanical states. The study highlights the formal analogy between classical phase space and the Hilbert space used in quantum mechanics. The second part is devoted to the geometric description of quantum states through the projective structure of Hilbert space. Emphasis is placed on the geometric interpretation of quantum evolution, particularly via the Fubini-Study metric, associated symplectic structures, and the geometric phase acquired during unitary evolutions. The final two parts are dedicated to the study of spin systems (both two-body and many-body) under different interaction models (XXZ Heisenberg and all-range Ising). Both the dynamical aspects (evolution speed, entanglement, and the quantum brachistochrone problem) and the geometric and topological structures of the corresponding quantum states are analyzed.
The rise of quantum technology has put control at the centre of advancements in quantum mechanics. The union of quantum mechanics with mathematical control theory is a meeting that is leading to a much deeper insight into our interaction with the bizarre properties of quantum theory. Often, the study of discrete variable systems is the focus for making this union. Here, we look at how control theory may be applied to the continuous variable theory of Gaussian states. Special emphasis is given to control of the covariance matrix of these states, as it is here that we find the entanglement and entropic properties of the state. We begin by exploring some initial results for the geometry of Gaussian states, revealing different manifold structures dependent on symplectic eigenvalue degeneracy. In this geometrical setting a proposal for an extension of Williamson's theorem is put forward and partially completed. It is often interesting to look at restricted sets of Hamiltonians and ask what transformations can be performed with concatenations of their corresponding unitaries. Controllable systems are those for which the entire group of interest is possible to enact. We explore an uncontrollable system in a single mode and give a physical analysis as to why it behaves this way. This leads to ideas to move forwards for a necessary and sufficient condition for control on the symplectic group that has been conjectured since 1972. Later, we transfer to the question of open dynamics. We focus on a particular and ubiquitous channel known as 'lossy' or 'the attenuation channel'. An equation is derived describing the evolution for the symplectic invariants of a Gaussian state undergoing such dynamics. The equation of the former chapter is used to explore the evolution of entropy and entanglement. Optimal protocols are developed for the manipulation of these properties undergoing lossy dynamics.
Classical mechanics has a natural mathematical setting in symplectic geometry and it may be asked if the same is true for quantum mechanics. More precisely, is it possible to capture certain quantum idiosyncrasies within the symplectic framework of classical mechanics? Beginning with Dirac, the idea of quantizing a classical system involved associating the phase space variables with Hermitian operators which act on some Hilbert space, as well as associating the Poisson bracket on the phase space with the commutator for the operators. Mathematically the phase space is associated with some symplectic manifold MMM and the non-degenerate 2-form ωωω, which comes with MMM. Geometric prequantization is a process by which one does this in a mathematically "rigorous" manner and we shall attempt to just introduce the methods here. We do this by exploring this contruction for (R2n,∑i=1ndpi∧dqi\mathbb{R}^{2n}, \sum_{i=1}^n dp_i \wedge dq_iR2n,∑i=1n​dpi​∧dqi​) which avoids using complex line bundles in any non-trivial way. One should note however that the Hilbert space one obtains is in fact too "big", in the sense that it has too many functions in order to correspond with actual physically significant Hilbert spaces. Geometric quantization remedies this situation but it should be noted that not all manifolds are prequantizable. We shall not discuss either of these issues however.
This work reformulates quantum mechanics on the real plane (R2)(\mathbb{R}^2)(R2), establishing an algebraic isomorphism to the complex field (C)(\mathbb{C})(C) and demonstrating that the complex structure inherent to the Schrödinger equation can be fully captured by coupled real-valued dynamics. By constructing a field (R2,+,⋅)(\mathbb{R}^2, +, \cdot)(R2,+,⋅) isomorphic to C\mathbb{C}C, the real counterpart of the Schrödinger equation is derived, yielding a system of coupled real partial differential equations. This system reveals a symplectic structure where the symplectic matrix J\mathcal{J}J geometrically represents the imaginary unit iii, acting as a phase-space rotation operator. Time-independent solutions decouple into identical real Helmholtz equations, preserving spectral equivalence. The reformulation provides geometric insights into foundational aspects: the geometric representation of iii, the emergence of probability conservation from real-component interactions, and the encoding of quantum phase relationships through the multiplicative structure of the R2\mathbb{R}^2R2 field. This perspective reinforces connections to classical Hamiltonian mechanics and geometric quantization, suggesting that complex numbers are structural, emerging from field operations on the real plane, rather than fundamental. Furthermore, quantum computation elements like qubits and gates are shown to have equivalent representations as real symplectic and special orthogonal matrices, maintaining unitary equivalence. We introduce a framework for quantum computation within a real vector space and provide a generalized protocol for generating entangled Bell states. These results offer a new perspective on the necessity of complex numbers in quantum theory, providing a framework with potential computational advantages for hybrid quantum-classical systems and enhanced geometric interpretability.