Density matrices can be used to describe ensembles of particles in thermodynamic equilibrium. We assume that the density matrices are a more natural description of quantum objects than state vectors. This suggests that we generalize density matrices from the usual operators on a Hilbert space to be elements of an algebra. Using density matrix renormalization to change the temperature of the ensembles, we show how the choice of algebra determines the symmetry and particle content of these generalized density matrices. The symmetries are of the form SU(N)xSU(M)x...U(1). We propose that the Standard Model of elementary particles should include a dark matter SU(2) doublet.
Density matrices can be used to describe ensembles of particles in thermodynamic equilibrium. We assume that the density matrices are a more natural description of quantum objects than state vectors. This suggests that we generalize density matrices from the usual operators on a Hilbert space to be elements of an algebra. Using density matrix renormalization to change the temperature of the ensembles, we show how the choice of algebra determines the symmetry and particle content of these generalized density matrices. The symmetries are of the form SU(N)xSU(M)x...U(1). We propose that the Standard Model of elementary particles should include a dark matter SU(2) doublet.
Carlo Rovelli's ``relational interpretation'' of quantum mechanics tells us that our understanding of quantum states is limited to their interactions with other quantum states. This implies that we have no understanding of the symmetry properties of a state vector except when considered in relation to at least one other state vector. The SU(3)xSU(2)xU(1) symmetry of the Standard Model is derived from their interactions and therefore cannot necessarily be applied to a single state vector. Steven Weinberg showed that mixed density matrices can have symmetries that are not available to state vectors. We explore the symmetry properties of finite symmetry groups for mixed density matrices. Just as mixed density matrices can define mixed states that require multiple state vectors, we find that the symmetries of mixed density matrices define ``mixed symmetries'' that are similar in structure to the symmetry of the Standard Model. We explore the point group symmetries and show one that gives the Standard Model symmetry. With this symmetry, we can generalize the Pauli spin matrices to a set that has irreducible representations matching the Standard Model plus a dark matter candidate.
Abstract A formulation of quantum mechanics is presented based on the theory of semigroups and the associated enveloping algebras of functions defined on countable subsemigroups. The existence of a unique *‐involution is not assumed. The fundamental elements of a semigroup are identified with experimental precedures for the separation of subensembles from a given ensemble of experimental systems. Observables are represented as elements of enveloping algebras, and ensembles as density matrices within an enveloping algebra. The statistical properties of ensembles are expressed in terms of traces defined on the semigroup and its enveloping algebras. The elements and generators of the Poincaré group can be defined and interpreted in the usual way. A variety of applications is described, in which the theory of the density matrix plays an essential or effective role. Advantages associated with the resulting freedom from the limitations of Hilbert space are illustrated.
We state in the following a structure theory of the density matrices from the standpoint of secind quantization. The difficulties involved in the quantum-mechanical many body problem have so far proved to be so tremendous that as yet some have been obliged to stop before exact treatments and others have retired to phenomenological model theories. There are two main tools to approach the problem, the theory of second quantization and the theory of density matrix. The former, in spite of its generality and compactness, has never revealed us its adaptability to the practical problems of quantum statistical mechanics. In fact, about the exchange effect, namely the statistical correlation of particles, the latter informs us the detailed features of it by application of the group theory, while the former lacks, at present, such an exposition. For a long time a more general and simpler formulation than the current group theoretic method has been desired in the theoretical researches of spectroscopy. A distinguished contribution has been made by P. Jordan (1934) and H. Ostertag (1937) from the standpoint of second quantization. H. Ostertag made use of the theory of hypercomplex ring and introdeced the original concept of the elementary algebra. (Part II) Since the latter part of his formulation, however, seems to be complicated, it will be better, for clearness' sake, to avoid this part. Accordingly the concepts of the elementary algebra and the symmetric algebra will be introduced as a remedy for it. Then we shall complete our theory to include the whole theory of symmetric group. These concepts will serve to clarify and generalize the previous formulations and to unify the several group theoretic standpoints of the spectroscopy. In §1 and §2 the representation of the quantized density of Bose or Fermi particles will reveal itself as the density matrix of Bose or Fermi particles or as the density matrix of many electrons with a certain term of spin multiplets. Indeed, the theory of the statistical operator, or the density matrix of J. von Neumann and P.A.M. Dirac, the equilibrium properties of which have been fully examined by one of the authors (1940), is the natural formalism of dealing with quantum gases. A contribution has been made by W. Kofink (1938) to introduce the intrinsic degrees of freedom of particles. This attempt has resulted in a fair seccess. His formulation consists in making use of the initial stages of the theory of spectroscopy, which will be reexamined in the second section and Part II. In §3, as an example at zero temperature, the Hartree-Fock equation for a prescribed orbital and spin configuration will be derived, and in §4 some properties of the reduced density matrix will be illustrated.
We state in the following a structure theory of the density matrices from the standpoint of secind quantization. The difficulties involved in the quantum-mechanical many body problem have so far proved to be so tremendous that as yet some have been obliged to stop before exact treatments and others have retired to phenomenological model theories. There are two main tools to approach the problem, the theory of second quantization and the theory of density matrix. The former, in spite of its generality and compactness, has never revealed us its adaptability to the practical problems of quantum statistical mechanics. In fact, about the exchange effect, namely the statistical correlation of particles, the latter informs us the detailed features of it by application of the group theory, while the former lacks, at present, such an exposition. For a long time a more general and simpler formulation than the current group theoretic method has been desired in the theoretical researches of spectroscopy. A distinguished contribution has been made by P. Jordan (1934) and H. Ostertag (1937) from the standpoint of second quantization. H. Ostertag made use of the theory of hypercomplex ring and introdeced the original concept of the elementary algebra. (Part II) Since the latter part of his formulation, however, seems to be complicated, it will be better, for clearness' sake, to avoid this part. Accordingly the concepts of the elementary algebra and the symmetric algebra will be introduced as a remedy for it. Then we shall complete our theory to include the whole theory of symmetric group. These concepts will serve to clarify and generalize the previous formulations and to unify the several group theoretic standpoints of the spectroscopy. In §1 and §2 the representation of the quantized density of Bose or Fermi particles will reveal itself as the density matrix of Bose or Fermi particles or as the density matrix of many electrons with a certain term of spin multiplets. Indeed, the theory of the statistical operator, or the density matrix of J. von Neumann and P.A.M. Dirac, the equilibrium properties of which have been fully examined by one of the authors (1940), is the natural formalism of dealing with quantum gases. A contribution has been made by W. Kofink (1938) to introduce the intrinsic degrees of freedom of particles. This attempt has resulted in a fair seccess. His formulation consists in making use of the initial stages of the theory of spectroscopy, which will be reexamined in the second section and Part II. In §3, as an example at zero temperature, the Hartree-Fock equation for a prescribed orbital and spin configuration will be derived, and in §4 some properties of the reduced density matrix will be illustrated.
Along with an elementary description of the well-known density matrix formalism and of its application to the description of quantum-statistical ensembles, this chapter includes the proofs of a few propositions that are especially useful for understanding most of the developments. In the new formulation, ensembles are directly described by density matrices, observables are still described by Hermitean operators, and the rules giving the statistical distribution and the mean values of the predicted measurement results are, respectively, expressions. When stated in this manner, the rules of quantum mechanics apply directly not only to pure states but also to mixtures. This is a distinct advantage. In the case of mixtures defined by their density matrices, the new formulation also has another merit. If two proper mixtures are described by the same density matrix, any state vector representing a subensemble of one of these mixtures can be expressed as a linear combination of the state vectors representing the subensembles of the other mixture.
In quantum mechanics, states are described by density matrices. Though their probabilistic interpretation is rooted in ensemble theory, density matrices embody a known shortcoming. They do not completely express the physical realization of an ensemble. Conveniently, the outcome statistics of projective and positive operator-valued measurements do not depend on the ensemble realization, only on the density matrix. Here, we show how the geometric approach to quantum mechanics tracks ensemble realizations. We do so in two concrete cases of a finite-dimensional quantum system interacting with another one with (i) finite-dimensional Hilbert space, relevant for quantum thermodynamics, and (ii) infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, relevant for state-manipulation protocols.