The Categorical Compositional Distributional (DisCoCat) framework models meaning in natural language using the mathematical framework of quantum theory, expressed as formal diagrams. DisCoCat diagrams can be associated with tensor networks and quantum circuits. DisCoCat diagrams have been connected to density matrices in various contexts in Quantum Natural Language Processing (QNLP). Previous use of density matrices in QNLP entails modelling ambiguous words as probability distributions over basic words (e.g., the word queen might mean the reigning queen or the chess piece). In this article, we investigate the use of probability distributions over processes to account for syntactic ambiguity in sentences. The meanings of these sentences are represented by density matrices. We show how to create probability distributions on quantum circuits that represent the meanings of sentences and explain how this approach generalises tasks from the literature. We report on a proof-of-concept experiment to demonstrate the proposed theory.The Categorical Compositional Distributional (DisCoCat) framework models meaning in natural language using the mathematical framework of quantum theory, expressed as formal diagrams. DisCoCat diagrams can be associated with tensor networks and quantum circuits. DisCoCat diagrams have been connected to density matrices in various contexts in Quantum Natural Language Processing (QNLP). Previous use of density matrices in QNLP entails modelling ambiguous words as probability distributions over basic words (e.g., the word queen might mean the reigning queen or the chess piece). In this article, we investigate the use of probability distributions over processes to account for syntactic ambiguity in sentences. The meanings of these sentences are represented by density matrices. We show how to create probability distributions on quantum circuits that represent the meanings of sentences and explain how this approach generalises tasks from the literature. We report on a proof-of-concept experiment to demonstrate the proposed theory.

arXiv:2504.00040Quantum Machine IntelligenceAug 3, 20260 citations

Geometric Aspects of the Theory of Density Matrices and Densities

John E. Harriman

Springer eBooksJan 1, 20030 citations

Density Matrix Theory and Applications

Karl Blum

Springer eBooksJan 1, 1996685 citations

Stratification of the space of density matrices via invariant theory and Uhlmann's connection

Howy Jordan, Markus J. Pflaum, Gerd Rudolph

The space of $n\times n$ density matrices is the full state space of an $n$ -level quantum system. While it has been asserted in the literature on quantum information theory that decomposing this state space into equirank pieces yields a Whitney stratification, rigorous proofs have remained absent. Using methods from invariant theory, this work provides a proof that the rank decomposition of the matrix algebra constitutes a (b)-regular stratification in the sense of Whitney. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the Uhlmann connection - which describes the adiabatic holonomy of mixed states and reduces to the Berry connection on pure states - can be geometrically treated as a stratified connection on a stratified vector bundle. Finally, our appendix provides a self-contained exposition of stratified fiber bundles and the new concept of stratified connections, which may be of independent interest.The space of $n\times n$ density matrices is the full state space of an $n$-level quantum system. While it has been asserted in the literature on quantum information theory that decomposing this state space into equirank pieces yields a Whitney stratification, rigorous proofs have remained absent. Using methods from invariant theory, this work provides a proof that the rank decomposition of the matrix algebra constitutes a (b)-regular stratification in the sense of Whitney. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the Uhlmann connection - which describes the adiabatic holonomy of mixed states and reduces to the Berry connection on pure states - can be geometrically treated as a stratified connection on a stratified vector bundle. Finally, our appendix provides a self-contained exposition of stratified fiber bundles and the new concept of stratified connections, which may be of independent interest.

arXiv:2610.02773Oct 2, 20260 citations

The space of

n\times n

density matrices is the full state space of an

n

-level quantum system. While it has been asserted in the literature on quantum information theory that decomposing this state space into equirank pieces yields a Whitney stratification, rigorous proofs have remained absent. Using methods from invariant theory, this work provides a proof that the rank decomposition of the matrix algebra constitutes a (b)-regular stratification in the sense of Whitney. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the Uhlmann connection - which describes the adiabatic holonomy of mixed states and reduces to the Berry connection on pure states - can be geometrically treated as a stratified connection on a stratified vector bundle. Finally, our appendix provides a self-contained exposition of stratified fiber bundles and the new concept of stratified connections, which may be of independent interest.