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CRC Press eBooks

Evolution of a Spinor on the Bloch Sphere

Supriyo Bandyopadhyay, Marc Cahay

Published Mar 20, 2008• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this chapter, we will consider the general approach used to calculate the time evolution of the probability of a spinor reaching a particular location on the Bloch sphere from another location, when subjected to the simultaneous actions of two spatially uniform magnetic fields. One of these fields is static (time-independent) and directed along a specific axis, while the other is timedependent, has a different amplitude, and rotates in the plane perpendicular to the first magnetic field. This problem was originally considered by I. I. Rabi who calculated the probability of a “spin flip”, i.e., the probability for a spinor, originally located at the north pole on the Bloch sphere, to ultimately reach the south pole [1, 2, 3]. Rabi calculated the time evolution of the probability in the case of a constant (dc) magnetic field along the z-axis and a circularly polarized time-varying (ac) magnetic field of different amplitude, with a specific frequency, rotating in the (x-y) plane. This led to the derivation of what is known as the Rabi formula which is one of the key ingredients in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). In most textbooks, the Rabi formula is derived by solving the time-dependent Pauli Equation [Equation (2.31)] with a judicious choice of the reference frame to describe the time-evolution of the 2-component spinor wavefunction. Here, we use a different approach based on the concept of the Bloch sphere described in the previous chapter. This approach is more instructive since it directly relates to NMR concepts and is more synergistic with concepts used in spin-based quantum computing.

DOI
10.1201/9781420004748-7

Related papers

Evolution of a Spinor on the Bloch Sphere

In this chapter, we will consider the general approach used to calculate the time evolution of the probability of a spinor reaching a particular location on the Bloch sphere from another location, when subjected to the simultaneous actions of two spatially uniform magnetic fields. One of these fields is static (time-independent) and directed along a specific axis, while the other is timedependent, has a different amplitude, and rotates in the plane perpendicular to the first magnetic field. This problem was originally considered by I. I. Rabi who calculated the probability of a “spin flip,” i.e., the probability for a spinor, originally located at the north pole on the Bloch sphere, to ultimately reach the south pole [1, 2, 3]. Rabi calculated the time evolution of the probability in the case of a constant (dc) magnetic field along the z-axis and a circularly polarized time-varying (ac) magnetic field of different amplitude, with a specific frequency, rotating in the (x-y) plane. This led to the derivation of what is known as the Rabi formula which is one of the key ingredients in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). In most textbooks, the Rabi formula is derived by solving the time-dependent Pauli equation [Equation (2.31)] with a judicious choice of the reference frame to describe the time-evolution of the 2-component spinor wavefunction. Here, we use a different approach based on the concept of the Bloch sphere described in the previous chapter. This approach is more instructive since it directly relates to NMR concepts and is more synergistic with concepts used in spin-based quantum computing.

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The Bloch Sphere

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The Bloch sphere concept is a useful tool to represent the actions of various quantum-mechanical operators on a spinor. Most importantly, it provides a link between the rather abstract concept of a spinor and the more intuitive way (although not rigorous) of thinking of the spin of an electron as being associated with a magnetic moment along the axis of self rotation. The Bloch sphere is particularly useful when describing the action of a spatially uniform external (including time-dependent) magnetic field on the spin [1]. This will be illustrated in the next chapter through the derivation of the Rabi formula. Bloch sphere concepts are also frequently invoked in discussions of spin-based quantum computing, so that a sound understanding of this notion is imperative to comprehend the literature in that field.

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The Bloch sphere concept is a useful tool to represent the actions of various quantum-mechanical operators on a spinor. Most important, it provides a link between the rather abstract concept of a spinor and the more intuitive way (although not rigorous) of thinking of the spin of an electron as being associated with a magnetic moment along the axis of self-rotation. The Bloch sphere is particularly useful when describing the action of a spatially uniform external (including time-dependent) magnetic field on the spin [1]. This will be illustrated in the next chapter through the derivation of the Rabi formula. Bloch sphere concepts are also frequently invoked in discussions of spin-based quantum computing, so that a sound understanding of this notion is imperative to comprehend the literature in that field.

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Abstract The solution to the time-dependent Pauli–Schrödinger equation is written using quaternion algebra, i.e. by expressing the unitary operator describing the time evolution of the Pauli spinor and the Pauli spinor itself as left-chirality quaternions. The quaternion approach is used to express the time evolution of a qubit on the Bloch sphere under the action of the commonly used quantum gates and to implement the two-qubit controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate and the three-qubit Tofolli gate. The quaternion formalism is also applied to describe: (1) a general two-qubit quaternionic gate, (2) the Larmor precession of an electron spin in an uniform magnetic field, and (3) the issue of measurements in quantum mechanics. Finally, the time-dependent Pauli–Schrödinger equation is also solved using right-chirality quaternions.

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A quantum mechanical discussion of Rabi oscillations

Gilbert R. Hoy, J. Odeurs

In 1937, Rabi treated the problem of a magnetic moment in an applied time-dependent magnetic field. This became the well-known magnetic resonance situation. The Hamiltonian is often taken to be [Formula: see text] = – µ · [[Formula: see text]]. In this paper, the Rabi oscillations formula, describing the spin flipping, is derived in an unusual way. The method uses a modification of a method due to Heitler. In the Heitler method, one uses the Interaction Picture of quantum mechanics. Due to the time-dependence in the problem, the usual Heitler method fails. However, the solution is found after quantizing the electromagnetic field. To better understand the origin of the spin flipping, the analogous time-independent problem is also solved. It is made clear that the origin of the Rabi oscillations is not due to the time-dependent magnetic field. The spin flipping is essentially due to the fact that the spin system, when initially prepared, is not in an eigenstate of the Hamiltonian. Thus, as times progresses, the system naturally evolves through the noneigenstate basis states.PACS Nos.: 03.65.–w, 76.20.+q

Canadian Journal of Physics•Aug 1, 2008•1 citation

The exact solution of magnetic resonance for arbitrary spin using an operator-based formalism

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The time evolution of a spin precessing in a large static field with a perpendicular rotating field is a classic problem in magnetic resonance that appears in nearly all quantum textbooks. It can be solved exactly by going to the rotating frame. Often, however, the final transition probabilities are determined only for the spin 1/2 case. In this work, we show how an operator-based approach naturally produces a time-ordered product via a Trotter product formula and then by employing simple operator identities such as the Hadamard lemma, the Baker–Campbell–Hausdorff formula, and the exponential disentangling identity, the problem can be directly solved for arbitrary spin.

American Journal of Physics•Jan 22, 2026•0 citations
In this chapter, we will consider the general approach used to calculate the time evolution of the probability of a spinor reaching a particular location on the Bloch sphere from another location, when subjected to the simultaneous actions of two spatially uniform magnetic fields. One of these fields is static (time-independent) and directed along a specific axis, while the other is timedependent, has a different amplitude, and rotates in the plane perpendicular to the first magnetic field. This problem was originally considered by I. I. Rabi who calculated the probability of a “spin flip”, i.e., the probability for a spinor, originally located at the north pole on the Bloch sphere, to ultimately reach the south pole [1, 2, 3]. Rabi calculated the time evolution of the probability in the case of a constant (dc) magnetic field along the z-axis and a circularly polarized time-varying (ac) magnetic field of different amplitude, with a specific frequency, rotating in the (x-y) plane. This led to the derivation of what is known as the Rabi formula which is one of the key ingredients in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). In most textbooks, the Rabi formula is derived by solving the time-dependent Pauli Equation [Equation (2.31)] with a judicious choice of the reference frame to describe the time-evolution of the 2-component spinor wavefunction. Here, we use a different approach based on the concept of the Bloch sphere described in the previous chapter. This approach is more instructive since it directly relates to NMR concepts and is more synergistic with concepts used in spin-based quantum computing.
In this chapter, we will consider the general approach used to calculate the time evolution of the probability of a spinor reaching a particular location on the Bloch sphere from another location, when subjected to the simultaneous actions of two spatially uniform magnetic fields. One of these fields is static (time-independent) and directed along a specific axis, while the other is timedependent, has a different amplitude, and rotates in the plane perpendicular to the first magnetic field. This problem was originally considered by I. I. Rabi who calculated the probability of a “spin flip,” i.e., the probability for a spinor, originally located at the north pole on the Bloch sphere, to ultimately reach the south pole [1, 2, 3]. Rabi calculated the time evolution of the probability in the case of a constant (dc) magnetic field along the z-axis and a circularly polarized time-varying (ac) magnetic field of different amplitude, with a specific frequency, rotating in the (x-y) plane. This led to the derivation of what is known as the Rabi formula which is one of the key ingredients in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). In most textbooks, the Rabi formula is derived by solving the time-dependent Pauli equation [Equation (2.31)] with a judicious choice of the reference frame to describe the time-evolution of the 2-component spinor wavefunction. Here, we use a different approach based on the concept of the Bloch sphere described in the previous chapter. This approach is more instructive since it directly relates to NMR concepts and is more synergistic with concepts used in spin-based quantum computing.
The Bloch sphere concept is a useful tool to represent the actions of various quantum-mechanical operators on a spinor. Most importantly, it provides a link between the rather abstract concept of a spinor and the more intuitive way (although not rigorous) of thinking of the spin of an electron as being associated with a magnetic moment along the axis of self rotation. The Bloch sphere is particularly useful when describing the action of a spatially uniform external (including time-dependent) magnetic field on the spin [1]. This will be illustrated in the next chapter through the derivation of the Rabi formula. Bloch sphere concepts are also frequently invoked in discussions of spin-based quantum computing, so that a sound understanding of this notion is imperative to comprehend the literature in that field.
The Bloch sphere concept is a useful tool to represent the actions of various quantum-mechanical operators on a spinor. Most important, it provides a link between the rather abstract concept of a spinor and the more intuitive way (although not rigorous) of thinking of the spin of an electron as being associated with a magnetic moment along the axis of self-rotation. The Bloch sphere is particularly useful when describing the action of a spatially uniform external (including time-dependent) magnetic field on the spin [1]. This will be illustrated in the next chapter through the derivation of the Rabi formula. Bloch sphere concepts are also frequently invoked in discussions of spin-based quantum computing, so that a sound understanding of this notion is imperative to comprehend the literature in that field.
Abstract The solution to the time-dependent Pauli–Schrödinger equation is written using quaternion algebra, i.e. by expressing the unitary operator describing the time evolution of the Pauli spinor and the Pauli spinor itself as left-chirality quaternions. The quaternion approach is used to express the time evolution of a qubit on the Bloch sphere under the action of the commonly used quantum gates and to implement the two-qubit controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate and the three-qubit Tofolli gate. The quaternion formalism is also applied to describe: (1) a general two-qubit quaternionic gate, (2) the Larmor precession of an electron spin in an uniform magnetic field, and (3) the issue of measurements in quantum mechanics. Finally, the time-dependent Pauli–Schrödinger equation is also solved using right-chirality quaternions.
In 1937, Rabi treated the problem of a magnetic moment in an applied time-dependent magnetic field. This became the well-known magnetic resonance situation. The Hamiltonian is often taken to be [Formula: see text] = – µ · [[Formula: see text]]. In this paper, the Rabi oscillations formula, describing the spin flipping, is derived in an unusual way. The method uses a modification of a method due to Heitler. In the Heitler method, one uses the Interaction Picture of quantum mechanics. Due to the time-dependence in the problem, the usual Heitler method fails. However, the solution is found after quantizing the electromagnetic field. To better understand the origin of the spin flipping, the analogous time-independent problem is also solved. It is made clear that the origin of the Rabi oscillations is not due to the time-dependent magnetic field. The spin flipping is essentially due to the fact that the spin system, when initially prepared, is not in an eigenstate of the Hamiltonian. Thus, as times progresses, the system naturally evolves through the noneigenstate basis states.PACS Nos.: 03.65.–w, 76.20.+q
The time evolution of a spin precessing in a large static field with a perpendicular rotating field is a classic problem in magnetic resonance that appears in nearly all quantum textbooks. It can be solved exactly by going to the rotating frame. Often, however, the final transition probabilities are determined only for the spin 1/2 case. In this work, we show how an operator-based approach naturally produces a time-ordered product via a Trotter product formula and then by employing simple operator identities such as the Hadamard lemma, the Baker–Campbell–Hausdorff formula, and the exponential disentangling identity, the problem can be directly solved for arbitrary spin.