Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Mathematical Physics

Linear maps preserving maximal deviation and the Jordan structure of quantum systems

Jan Hamhalter

Published Dec 1, 2012• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In the algebraic approach to quantum theory, a quantum observable is given by an element of a Jordan algebra and a state of the system is modelled by a normalized positive functional on the underlying algebra. Maximal deviation of a quantum observable is the largest statistical deviation one can obtain in a particular state of the system. The main result of the paper shows that each linear bijective transformation between JBW algebras preserving maximal deviations is formed by a Jordan isomorphism or a minus Jordan isomorphism perturbed by a linear functional multiple of an identity. It shows that only one numerical statistical characteristic has the power to determine the Jordan algebraic structure completely. As a consequence, we obtain that only very special maps can preserve the diameter of the spectra of elements. Nonlinear maps preserving the pseudometric given by maximal deviation are also described. The results generalize hitherto known theorems on preservers of maximal deviation in the case of self-adjoint parts of von Neumann algebras proved by Molnár.

DOI
10.1063/1.4771671

Related papers

Transition probabilities of normal states determine the Jordan structure of a quantum system

Chi-Wai Leung, Chi–Keung Ng, Ngai‐Ching Wong

Let Φ : 𝔖(M1) → 𝔖(M2) be a bijection (not assumed affine nor continuous) between the sets of normal states of two quantum systems, modelled on the self-adjoint parts of von Neumann algebras M1 and M2, respectively. This paper concerns with the situation when Φ preserves (or partially preserves) one of the following three notions of “transition probability” on the normal state spaces: the transition probability PU introduced by Uhlmann [Rep. Math. Phys. 9, 273-279 (1976)], the transition probability PR introduced by Raggio [Lett. Math. Phys. 6, 233-236 (1982)], and an “asymmetric transition probability” P0 (as introduced in this article). It is shown that the two systems are isomorphic, i.e., M1 and M2 are Jordan ∗-isomorphic, if Φ preserves all pairs with zero Uhlmann (respectively, Raggio or asymmetric) transition probability, in the sense that for any normal states μ and ν, we have PΦ(μ),Φ(ν)=0 if and only if P(μ, ν) = 0, where P stands for PU (respectively, PR or P0). Furthermore, as an extension of Wigner’s theorem, it is shown that there is a Jordan ∗-isomorphism Θ : M2 → M1 satisfying Φ = Θ∗|𝔖(M1) if and only if Φ preserves the “asymmetric transition probability.” This is also equivalent to Φ preserving the Raggio transition probability. Consequently, if Φ preserves the Raggio transition probability, it will preserve the Uhlmann transition probability as well. As another application, the sets of normal states equipped with either the usual metric, the Bures metric or “the metric induced by the self-dual cone,” are complete Jordan ∗-invariants for the underlying von Neumann algebras.

arXiv:1510.01487•Journal of Mathematical Physics•Dec 1, 2015•13 citations

Sufficiency and Petz recovery for positive maps

Lauritz van Luijk, Henrik Wilming

We study the interconversion of families of quantum states ("statistical experiments") via positive, trace-preserving (PTP) maps and clarify its mathematical structure in terms of minimal sufficient Jordan algebras, which can be seen to generalize the Koashi-Imoto decomposition to the PTP setting. In particular, we show that Neyman-Pearson tests generate the minimal sufficient Jordan algebra, and hence also the minimal sufficient *-algebra corresponding to the Koashi-Imoto decomposition. As applications, we show that a) equality in the data-processing inequality for the relative entropy or the $α$-$z$ quantum Rényi divergence implies the existence of a recovery map also in the PTP case and b) that two dichotomies can be interconverted by PTP maps if and only if they can be interconverted by decomposable, trace-preserving maps. We thoroughly review the necessary mathematical background on Jordan algebras. As a step beyond the finite-dimensional case, we prove Frenkel's formula for approximately finite-dimensional von Neumann algebras.

quant-pharXiv:2604.08380•Apr 10, 2026•0 citations

Linear algebraic proof of Wigner theorem and its consequences

Jáchym Barvínek, Jan Hamhalter

Abstract We present new proof of non-bijective Wigner theorem on symmetries of quantum systems using only basic linear algebra. It is based on showing that any non-zero Jordan ∗-homomorphism between matrix algebras preserving rank-one projections is implemented by either a unitary or an anitiunitary map. As a new application we extend hitherto known results on preservers of quantum relative entropy to infinite quantum systems.

Mathematica Slovaca•Apr 1, 2017•6 citations

Mappings Preserving Quantum Rényi’s Entropies in Von Neumann Algebras

Andrzej Łuczak, Hanna Podsȩdkowska, Rafał Wieczorek

We investigate the situation when a normal positive linear unital map on a semifinite von Neumann algebra leaving the trace invariant does not change fixed quantum Rényi entropy of the density of a normal state. It is also shown that such a map does not change the entropy of any density if and only if it is a Jordan *-isomorphism on the algebra.

arXiv:2302.02282•Publications of the Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences•Oct 27, 2026•0 citations

Quantum orientation, Noether structure, composition of systems and operations

Heinz-Jürgen Schmidt

In this paper we argue that, in addition to the statistical structure of quantum theory, another structure, referred to here as the ``Noether structure," is necessary to describe the composition of systems and to define completely positive operations. A Noether structure reflects the dual role of Hermitian operators as observables on the one hand and as generators of symmetry transformations on the other. This idea has been expressed in a similar form in the works of Alfsen and Shultz, who investigated the conditions under which the Jordan product can be extended to an associative product of operator algebras. Our investigations into the Noether structure and the composition of systems are limited to the finite-dimensional case and establish a connection to completely positive operations. In the case of pure operations, the latter can be characterized as orientation-preserving maps.

quant-pharXiv:2607.04899•Jul 7, 2026•0 citations

Pure Maps between Euclidean Jordan Algebras

Abraham Westerbaan, Bas Westerbaan, John van de Wetering

We propose a definition of purity for positive linear maps between Euclidean Jordan Algebras (EJA) that generalizes the notion of purity for quantum systems. We show that this definition of purity is closed under composition and taking adjoints and thus that the pure maps form a dagger category (which sets it apart from other possible definitions.) In fact, from the results presented in this paper, it follows that the category of EJAs with positive contractive linear maps is a dagger-effectus, a type of structure originally defined to study von Neumann algebras in an abstract categorical setting. In combination with previous work this characterizes EJAs as the most general systems allowed in a generalized probabilistic theory that is simultaneously a dagger-effectus. Using the dagger structure we get a notion of dagger-positive maps of the form f = g*g. We give a complete characterization of the pure dagger-positive maps and show that these correspond precisely to the Jordan algebraic version of the sequential product that maps (a,b) to sqrt(a) b sqrt(a). The notion of dagger-positivity therefore characterizes the sequential product.

arXiv:1805.11496•Electronic Proceedings in Theoretical Computer Science•Jan 31, 2019•3 citations
In the algebraic approach to quantum theory, a quantum observable is given by an element of a Jordan algebra and a state of the system is modelled by a normalized positive functional on the underlying algebra. Maximal deviation of a quantum observable is the largest statistical deviation one can obtain in a particular state of the system. The main result of the paper shows that each linear bijective transformation between JBW algebras preserving maximal deviations is formed by a Jordan isomorphism or a minus Jordan isomorphism perturbed by a linear functional multiple of an identity. It shows that only one numerical statistical characteristic has the power to determine the Jordan algebraic structure completely. As a consequence, we obtain that only very special maps can preserve the diameter of the spectra of elements. Nonlinear maps preserving the pseudometric given by maximal deviation are also described. The results generalize hitherto known theorems on preservers of maximal deviation in the case of self-adjoint parts of von Neumann algebras proved by Molnár.
Let Φ : 𝔖(M1) → 𝔖(M2) be a bijection (not assumed affine nor continuous) between the sets of normal states of two quantum systems, modelled on the self-adjoint parts of von Neumann algebras M1 and M2, respectively. This paper concerns with the situation when Φ preserves (or partially preserves) one of the following three notions of “transition probability” on the normal state spaces: the transition probability PU introduced by Uhlmann [Rep. Math. Phys. 9, 273-279 (1976)], the transition probability PR introduced by Raggio [Lett. Math. Phys. 6, 233-236 (1982)], and an “asymmetric transition probability” P0 (as introduced in this article). It is shown that the two systems are isomorphic, i.e., M1 and M2 are Jordan ∗-isomorphic, if Φ preserves all pairs with zero Uhlmann (respectively, Raggio or asymmetric) transition probability, in the sense that for any normal states μ and ν, we have PΦ(μ),Φ(ν)=0 if and only if P(μ, ν) = 0, where P stands for PU (respectively, PR or P0). Furthermore, as an extension of Wigner’s theorem, it is shown that there is a Jordan ∗-isomorphism Θ : M2 → M1 satisfying Φ = Θ∗|𝔖(M1) if and only if Φ preserves the “asymmetric transition probability.” This is also equivalent to Φ preserving the Raggio transition probability. Consequently, if Φ preserves the Raggio transition probability, it will preserve the Uhlmann transition probability as well. As another application, the sets of normal states equipped with either the usual metric, the Bures metric or “the metric induced by the self-dual cone,” are complete Jordan ∗-invariants for the underlying von Neumann algebras.
We study the interconversion of families of quantum states ("statistical experiments") via positive, trace-preserving (PTP) maps and clarify its mathematical structure in terms of minimal sufficient Jordan algebras, which can be seen to generalize the Koashi-Imoto decomposition to the PTP setting. In particular, we show that Neyman-Pearson tests generate the minimal sufficient Jordan algebra, and hence also the minimal sufficient *-algebra corresponding to the Koashi-Imoto decomposition. As applications, we show that a) equality in the data-processing inequality for the relative entropy or the ααα-zzz quantum Rényi divergence implies the existence of a recovery map also in the PTP case and b) that two dichotomies can be interconverted by PTP maps if and only if they can be interconverted by decomposable, trace-preserving maps. We thoroughly review the necessary mathematical background on Jordan algebras. As a step beyond the finite-dimensional case, we prove Frenkel's formula for approximately finite-dimensional von Neumann algebras.
In this paper we argue that, in addition to the statistical structure of quantum theory, another structure, referred to here as the ``Noether structure," is necessary to describe the composition of systems and to define completely positive operations. A Noether structure reflects the dual role of Hermitian operators as observables on the one hand and as generators of symmetry transformations on the other. This idea has been expressed in a similar form in the works of Alfsen and Shultz, who investigated the conditions under which the Jordan product can be extended to an associative product of operator algebras. Our investigations into the Noether structure and the composition of systems are limited to the finite-dimensional case and establish a connection to completely positive operations. In the case of pure operations, the latter can be characterized as orientation-preserving maps.
We propose a definition of purity for positive linear maps between Euclidean Jordan Algebras (EJA) that generalizes the notion of purity for quantum systems. We show that this definition of purity is closed under composition and taking adjoints and thus that the pure maps form a dagger category (which sets it apart from other possible definitions.) In fact, from the results presented in this paper, it follows that the category of EJAs with positive contractive linear maps is a dagger-effectus, a type of structure originally defined to study von Neumann algebras in an abstract categorical setting. In combination with previous work this characterizes EJAs as the most general systems allowed in a generalized probabilistic theory that is simultaneously a dagger-effectus. Using the dagger structure we get a notion of dagger-positive maps of the form f = g*g. We give a complete characterization of the pure dagger-positive maps and show that these correspond precisely to the Jordan algebraic version of the sequential product that maps (a,b) to sqrt(a) b sqrt(a). The notion of dagger-positivity therefore characterizes the sequential product.