This paper aims to explore the inherent connection between Heisenberg groups, quantum Fourier transform (QFT) and (quasi-probability) distribution functions. Distribution functions for continuous and finite quantum systems are examined from three perspectives and all of them lead to Weyl–Gabor–Heisenberg groups. The QFT appears as the intertwining operator of two equivalent representations arising out of an automorphism of the group. Distribution functions correspond to certain distinguished sets in the group algebra. The marginal properties of a particular class of distribution functions (Wigner distributions) arise from a class of automorphisms of the group algebra of the Heisenberg group. We then study the reconstruction of the Wigner function from the marginal distributions via inverse Radon transform giving explicit formulae. We consider some applications of our approach to quantum information processing and quantum process tomography.
We show that discrete quasiprobability distributions defined via the discrete Heisenberg-Weyl group can be obtained as discretizations of the continuous
SU(N) quasiprobability distributions. This is done by identifying the phase-point operators with the continuous quantisation kernels evaluated at special points of the phase space. As an application we discuss the positive-P function and show that its discretization can be used to treat the problem of diverging trajectories. We study the dissipative long-range transverse-field Ising chain and show that the long-time dynamics of local observables is well described by a semiclassical approximation of the interactions.
The Heisenberg-Weyl group H W ( d ) related to a d -dimensional Hilbert space H ( d ) , is enlarged into the Heisenberg-Weyl-parity group H W P ( d ) that incorporates parity transformations. It consists of 2 d 3 elements, of which d 3 elements belong to the H W ( d ) subgroup, and extra d 3 elements which are related through a Fourier transform with the former ones. It is shown that H W P ( d ) is a generalised version of the dihedral group. The properties of operators that combine displacements and parity, are discussed. H W P ( d ) is shown to be a solvable group, and commutators of its elements perform displacement and parity transformations of quantum states, along loops in the discrete phase space. 2 d 2 coherent states related to the H W P ( d ) group are introduced, which consist of d 2 coherent states related to the H W ( d ) subgroup, and extra d 2 coherent states which are related through a Fourier transform with the former ones. In noisy cases, expansion of an arbitrary state in terms of the 2 d 2 coherent states with Bargmann coefficients, is advantageous in comparison to expansion in terms of the d 2 coherent states related to H W ( d ) . One of the consequences of the H W P ( d ) group, is a natural unification of the Wigner and Weyl functions. The properties of the unified Wigner–Weyl function are discussed.
The Heisenberg-Weyl group
HW(d) related to a
d-dimensional Hilbert space
H(d), is enlarged into the Heisenberg-Weyl-parity group
HWP(d) that incorporates parity transformations. It consists of
2d3 elements, of which
d3 elements belong to the
HW(d) subgroup, and extra
d3 elements which are related through a Fourier transform with the former ones. It is shown that
HWP(d) is a generalised version of the dihedral group. The properties of operators that combine displacements and parity, are discussed.
HWP(d) is shown to be a solvable group, and commutators of its elements perform displacement and parity transformations of quantum states, along loops in the discrete phase space.
2d2 coherent states related to the
HWP(d) group are introduced, which consist of
d2 coherent states related to the
HW(d) subgroup, and extra
d2 coherent states which are related through a Fourier transform with the former ones. In noisy cases, expansion of an arbitrary state in terms of the
2d2 coherent states with Bargmann coefficients, is advantageous in comparison to expansion in terms of the
d2 coherent states related to
HW(d). One of the consequences of the
HWP(d) group, is a natural unification of the Wigner and Weyl functions. The properties of the unified Wigner-Weyl function are discussed.