Physical Review A
Inverse problem for the time-dependent density matrix
H. L. Frisch, Pál Ruján
Abstract
The solution of the inverse problem for the time-dependent density matrix means finding the time-dependent Hamiltonian operator $\stackrel{^}{H}$ corresponding to a given time-dependent density matrix $\stackrel{^}{\ensuremath{\rho}}$. We point out that the standard requirements for the time-dependent density operator imply a number of compatibility relations. Accordingly, a given $N\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}N$ density matrix might result from a whole family of Hamiltonians, characterized by $N$ free, real parameters. The cases of a 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2 and 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3 density matrix and of the free-fermion chain are worked out explicitly.