SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT OF NON-COMMUTING OBSERVABLES

It is shown that the full unknown state of a spin-1/2 system, S, which, within Born's statistical interpretation, is meant as the state of an ensamble of identically prepared systems, can be determined with a simultaneous measurement with the help of an "assistant" system A whose initial state is known. The idea is to let S and A interact with each other in a known way during a proper interaction time, to measure simultaneously two observables, one of S and one of A and their correlation. One thus determines the three unknown components of the polarization vector of S by means of repeated experiments using a unique setting. In this way one can measure simultaneously all the non-commutative observables of S, which might seem prohibited in quantum mechanics.It is shown that the full unknown state of a spin-1/2 system, S, which, within Born's statistical interpretation, is meant as the state of an ensamble of identically prepared systems, can be determined with a simultaneous measurement with the help of an "assistant" system A whose initial state is known. The idea is to let S and A interact with each other in a known way during a proper interaction time, to measure simultaneously two observables, one of S and one of A and their correlation. One thus determines the three unknown components of the polarization vector of S by means of repeated experiments using a unique setting. In this way one can measure simultaneously all the non-commutative observables of S, which might seem prohibited in quantum mechanics.

arXiv:quant-ph/0702013Beyond the QuantumSep 1, 20070 citations

An Overview on Single Apparatus Quantum Measurements

Bahar Mehmani, Theo M. Nieuwenhuizen

Given the state of a quantum system, one can calculate the expectation value of any observable of the system. However, the inverse problem of determining the state by performing different measurements is not a trivial task. In various experimental setups it is reasonably straightforward to reconstruct the state of a quantum system employing linear tomographic technique. In this way the elements of the density matrix can be linearly related to a set of measured quantities. But since different observables of a quantum system are not commuting with each other, one often has to perform series of successive measurements of observables which cannot be done simultaneously. Simultaneous measurement of observables cost less time and energy and is more beneficial. In this paper we review the strategy of quantum state tomography with simultaneous measurement of commuting observables. This can be done by introducing an assistant system of which the state is known. We show that the interaction between the assistant and the system of interest within different frame works allows the reconstruction of the state of the system. Specifically, we consider a two-level system and reconstruct its initial state by introducing an assistant which can be either another two-level system or a single cavity mode of the electromagnetic field.Given the state of a quantum system, one can calculate the expectation value of any observable of the system. However, the inverse problem of determining the state by performing different measurements is not a trivial task. In various experimental setups it is reasonably straightforward to reconstruct the state of a quantum system employing linear tomographic technique. In this way the elements of the density matrix can be linearly related to a set of measured quantities. But since different observables of a quantum system are not commuting with each other, one often has to perform series of successive measurements of observables which cannot be done simultaneously. Simultaneous measurement of observables cost less time and energy and is more beneficial. In this paper we review the strategy of quantum state tomography with simultaneous measurement of commuting observables. This can be done by introducing an assistant system of which the state is known. We show that the interaction between the assistant and the system of interest within different frame works allows the reconstruction of the state of the system. Specifically, we consider a two-level system and reconstruct its initial state by introducing an assistant which can be either another two-level system or a single cavity mode of the electromagnetic field.

arXiv:1007.3635Journal of Computational and Theoretical NanoscienceMar 23, 20114 citations

Determining a Quantum State by Means of a Single Apparatus

ARMEN E. ALLAHVERDYAN, Roger Balian, Theo M. Nieuwenhuizen

The unknown state rho of a quantum system S is determined by letting it interact with an auxiliary system A, the initial state of which is known. A one-to-one mapping can thus be realized between the density matrix rho and the probabilities of the occurrence of the eigenvalues of a single and factorized observable of S+A, so that rho can be determined by repeated measurements using a single apparatus. If S and A are spins, it suffices to measure simultaneously their z components after a controlled interaction. The most robust setups are determined in this case for an initially pure or a completely disordered state of A. They involve an Ising or anisotropic Heisenberg coupling and an external field.The unknown state rho of a quantum system S is determined by letting it interact with an auxiliary system A, the initial state of which is known. A one-to-one mapping can thus be realized between the density matrix rho and the probabilities of the occurrence of the eigenvalues of a single and factorized observable of S+A, so that rho can be determined by repeated measurements using a single apparatus. If S and A are spins, it suffices to measure simultaneously their z components after a controlled interaction. The most robust setups are determined in this case for an initially pure or a completely disordered state of A. They involve an Ising or anisotropic Heisenberg coupling and an external field.

arXiv:cond-mat/0311488Physical Review LettersMar 25, 200490 citations

Simultaneous measurement of two noncommuting quantum variables: Solution of a dynamical model

Martí Perarnau-Llobet, Theo M. Nieuwenhuizen

The possibility of performing simultaneous measurements in quantum mechanics is investigated in the context of the Curie-Weiss model for a projective measurement. Concretely, we consider a spin-- $\frac{1}{2}$ system simultaneously interacting with two magnets, which act as measuring apparatuses of two different spin components. We work out the dynamics of this process and determine the final state of the measuring apparatuses, from which we can find the probabilities of the four possible outcomes of the measurements. The measurement is found to be nonideal, as (i) the joint statistics do not coincide with the one obtained by separately measuring each spin component, and (ii) the density matrix of the spin does not collapse in either of the measured observables. However, we give an operational interpretation of the process as a generalized quantum measurement, and show that it is fully informative: The expected value of the measured spin components can be found with arbitrary precision for sufficiently many runs of the experiment.The possibility of performing simultaneous measurements in quantum mechanics is investigated in the context of the Curie-Weiss model for a projective measurement. Concretely, we consider a spin--$\frac{1}{2}$ system simultaneously interacting with two magnets, which act as measuring apparatuses of two different spin components. We work out the dynamics of this process and determine the final state of the measuring apparatuses, from which we can find the probabilities of the four possible outcomes of the measurements. The measurement is found to be nonideal, as (i) the joint statistics do not coincide with the one obtained by separately measuring each spin component, and (ii) the density matrix of the spin does not collapse in either of the measured observables. However, we give an operational interpretation of the process as a generalized quantum measurement, and show that it is fully informative: The expected value of the measured spin components can be found with arbitrary precision for sufficiently many runs of the experiment.

arXiv:1611.07937Physical Review AMay 30, 201720 citations

ON A THEORY OF MEASUREMENT OF INCOMPATIBLE OBSERVABLES IN QUANTUM MECHANICS

Eduard Prugovečki

The empirical meaning of the simultaneity of measurement of several observables is carefully analyzed. General criteria sufficient to guarantee the internal consistency of a framework including simultaneous measurements of incompatible observables are put forward. The case is illustrated with the example of simultaneous measurements of position and momenta of particles in quantum mechanics. It is pointed out that, in general, the outcome of measurements of incompatible observables cannot be described statistically by means of the probability measures of mathematical statistics, which have primarily been introduced only with compatible observables in mind. The concept of complex probability measure is put forward. A generalization of the current interpretation of quantum mechanics is proposed that would also include the case of incompatible observables, by taking advantage of the concept of complex probability measure.The empirical meaning of the simultaneity of measurement of several observables is carefully analyzed. General criteria sufficient to guarantee the internal consistency of a framework including simultaneous measurements of incompatible observables are put forward. The case is illustrated with the example of simultaneous measurements of position and momenta of particles in quantum mechanics. It is pointed out that, in general, the outcome of measurements of incompatible observables cannot be described statistically by means of the probability measures of mathematical statistics, which have primarily been introduced only with compatible observables in mind. The concept of complex probability measure is put forward. A generalization of the current interpretation of quantum mechanics is proposed that would also include the case of incompatible observables, by taking advantage of the concept of complex probability measure.

Canadian Journal of PhysicsJun 1, 196744 citations

Simultaneous measurement of non-commuting observables in entangled systems

Erik F G van Heusden, Theo M. Nieuwenhuizen

In an EPR setup, simultaneous measurement of two non-commuting observables is considered at station A and, possibly after a time delay, at station B . At each station one apparatus measures the z -component of a spin, while a second one measures the x -component of the same spin simultaneously. The dynamics of the measurements is solved explicitly. It is shown that no violations of Bell inequalities occur in Bell-like correlation experiments, and that, in fact, experiments of this type are subject to even stronger constraints. This is caused by the mutual influence of the two apparatuses coupled to the same spin, an effect which occurs at both stations.In an EPR setup, simultaneous measurement of two non-commuting observables is considered at station A and, possibly after a time delay, at station B . At each station one apparatus measures the z -component of a spin, while a second one measures the x -component of the same spin simultaneously. The dynamics of the measurements is solved explicitly. It is shown that no violations of Bell inequalities occur in Bell-like correlation experiments, and that, in fact, experiments of this type are subject to even stronger constraints. This is caused by the mutual influence of the two apparatuses coupled to the same spin, an effect which occurs at both stations.

The European Physical Journal Special TopicsMar 1, 20196 citations

The possibility of performing simultaneous measurements in quantum mechanics is investigated in the context of the Curie-Weiss model for a projective measurement. Concretely, we consider a spin--

\frac{1}{2}

system simultaneously interacting with two magnets, which act as measuring apparatuses of two different spin components. We work out the dynamics of this process and determine the final state of the measuring apparatuses, from which we can find the probabilities of the four possible outcomes of the measurements. The measurement is found to be nonideal, as (i) the joint statistics do not coincide with the one obtained by separately measuring each spin component, and (ii) the density matrix of the spin does not collapse in either of the measured observables. However, we give an operational interpretation of the process as a generalized quantum measurement, and show that it is fully informative: The expected value of the measured spin components can be found with arbitrary precision for sufficiently many runs of the experiment.