Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:quant-ph/0507230

Quantum mechanical description of measurement and the basic properties of state transformation

Iman Marvian

Published Jul 24, 2005• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

In this paper, without any priori assumption about the post-measurement state of system, we will examine how this state is restricted by assuming each of these following assumptions. First, by using this reasonable assumption that two successive measurements should be describable as one measurement. Second, by assuming the impossibility of faster than light signaling, "No-signaling condition". However, only by using these assumptions it is not possible to obtain the usual projection postulate. Instead, by means of a simple lemma, we will show that the density operator of system after a measurement is a linear function of the density operator determined by the usual post-measurement postulate. Furthermore we will show this linear function has a Kraus representation. Finally, we will discuss about the physical meaning of this consequence.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/0507230

Related papers

The Postulates of Quantum Mechanics

F. S. Levin

In this chapter the basic concepts of quantum theory are formulated via a self-consistent set of six postulates. These six postulates deal with the following: operator images of physical observables; properties of state vectors and wave functions; the connection with experimental measurements; coordinate-space forms of those operators having classical analogs; the primary dynamical equation of quantum mechanics; and the completeness of the eigenvectors of observables. The postulates are the framework on which the edifice of quantum mechanics is constructed. A separate section is devoted to the statement of each postulate and to a few examples chosen to illustrate or apply it. A comprehensive set of applications is presented in Chapters 6 and 7, where various 1-D systems are used as the vehicles for illustrating the postulates. The basic theory of this chapter is extended and developed in Chapters 8 and 9. Since probability is a key interpretational concept, a brief introduction to this topic is given in an appendix. We emphasize that our formulation of quantum theory (in this chapter and throughout this book) is restricted to the case of pure states. This is not a major restriction. It means that, when we consider ensembles of individual quantum systems (e.g., single particles, atoms, nuclei, etc.), all of the systems in the ensemble are assumed to be in the same quantum state, not necessarily an eigenstate of a quantal operator. Ensembles for which this assumption does not hold are described by a density operator or density matrix rather than by a pure state; treatments of such cases can be found in references cited later.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Dec 3, 2001•0 citations

The Postulates of Quantum Mechanics

Uri Peskin

We review the postulates of quantum mechanics with respect to the representation of physical states and measurable quantities, their time evolution, and the interpretation of measurements. We first formulate the postulates in terms of wave functions and differential operators, and then reformulate them in the abstract Hilbert space of state vectors, using Dirac’s notations. Improper states subject to Dirac’s delta normalization are introduced, and the space of physical states is extended to include them. The postulates are rationalized by associating each Hermitian linear operator with a complete orthonormal system of its eigenvectors, where measurement probabilities depend on the projections of these eigenvectors on the system’s state vector. Particularly, wave functions are identified as projections of state vectors on the position operator eigenstates. State vectors representing multidimensional systems are formulated as tensor products of vectors in their subspaces. Finally, we address the general uncertainty relations in simultaneous measurements of different observables.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•May 11, 2023•0 citations

Communication through measurements and unitary transformations

Bart D’Hooghe

It is generally accepted that no `faster than light signalling' (FTLS) using two entangled spin 1/2 particles is possible because of indeterminism in a quantum measurement and linearity of standard quantum mechanics. We show how in principle one bit of information could be transmitted using local measurements and a global unitary transformation of the state of two entangled spatially separated spin 1/2 particles. Assuming that the postulate of a state collapse due to measurement is valid, the no FTLS condition is saved if we do not have physical access to the required global unitary transformation. This means that the no FTLS condition is also present on the operational level, namely as imposing a physical restriction on the possible realizable unitary transformations, in this case of two entangled but spatially separated spin 1/2.

arXiv:quant-ph/0310185•Oct 30, 2003•1 citation

No-Signaling Condition and Quantum Dynamics

Christoph Simon, Vladimír Bužek, Nicolas Gisin

We show that the basic dynamical rules of quantum physics can be derived from its static properties and the condition that superluminal communication is forbidden. More precisely, the fact that the dynamics has to be described by linear completely positive maps on density matrices is derived from the following assumptions: (1) physical states are described by rays in a Hilbert space, (2) probabilities for measurement outcomes at any given time are calculated according to the usual trace rule, and (3) superluminal communication is excluded. This result also constrains possible nonlinear modifications of quantum physics.

arXiv:quant-ph/0102125•Physical Review Letters•Oct 8, 2001•126 citations

Time-symmetric formulation of quantum mechanics

Benni Reznik, Yakir Aharonov

We explore further the suggestion to describe a pre- and postselected system by a two-state, which is determined by two conditions. Starting with a formal definition of a two-state Hilbert space and basic operations, we systematically recast the basics of quantum mechanics---dynamics, observables, and measurement theory---in terms of two-states as the elementary quantities. We find a simple and suggestive formulation that "unifies" two complementary observables: probabilistic observables and nonprobabilistic "weak" observables. Probabilities are relevant for measurements in the "strong-coupling regime." They are given by the absolute square of a two-amplitude (a projection of a two-state). Nonprobabilistic observables are observed in sufficiently weak measurements and are given by linear combinations of the two-amplitude. As a subclass they include the "weak values" of Hermitian operators. We show that in the intermediate regime, one may observe a mixing of probabilities and weak values. A consequence of the suggested formalism and measurement theory is that the problems of nonlocality and Lorentz noncovariance, of the usual prescription with a "reduction," may be eliminated. We exemplify this point for the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen experiment and for a system under successive observations.

arXiv:quant-ph/9501011•Physical Review A•Oct 1, 1995•95 citations

A SEARCH F OR T HE P HYSICAL C ONTENT OF

Sergio F. Martínez, R Ule

An interpretation of quantum mechanics that rejects hidden variables has to say something about the way measurement can be understood as a transformation on states of individual systems, and that leads to the core of the interpretive problems posed by Luders' projection rule: What, if any, is its physical content? In this paper I explore one suggestion which is implicit in usual interpretations of the rule and show that this view does not stand on solid ground. In the process, important aspects of the role played by the projection postulate in the conceptual structure of quantum mechanics will be clarified. It will be shown in particular that serious objections can be raised against the (often implicit) view that identifies the physical relation of compatibility preserved by Luders' rule with the relation of simultaneous measurability. Preparatory measurements are measurements for which we can con- clude on the basis of the result of measurement that the system is (immediately after measurement) in an eigenstate of the eigenvalue corresponding to the given result. Preparatory measurements are first of all experimental processes that select an ensemble to which a quantum (statistical) state can be assigned. Statistical interpretations of the state vector take as fundamental this assignment of a quantum state to (sub)ensembles selected by experimental procedures. But if the exist- ence of hidden variables is denied, then it seems that it should be possible to interpret preparatory measurements in terms of individual state transformations. This can be done by thinking of these measure- ments as idealized measurement transformations satisfying the so-called first kind condition: an immediate repetition of the same measurement gives the same result as the initial measurement. This idealization (taken here for the sake of simplicity) will be assumed here to be non-controversial. Furthermore, it will be assumed here that every measurement can be represented as a first kind measurement: thus, a 'measurement' in this investigation is always to be a 'first kind measure- ment'. For measurements of maximal magnitudes (i.e., magnitudes with no degenerate eigenvalue) Von Neumann argued (1955) that the final state is given by the (unique) eigenstate of the eigenvalue representing the

•Jan 1, 1990•0 citations
In this paper, without any priori assumption about the post-measurement state of system, we will examine how this state is restricted by assuming each of these following assumptions. First, by using this reasonable assumption that two successive measurements should be describable as one measurement. Second, by assuming the impossibility of faster than light signaling, "No-signaling condition". However, only by using these assumptions it is not possible to obtain the usual projection postulate. Instead, by means of a simple lemma, we will show that the density operator of system after a measurement is a linear function of the density operator determined by the usual post-measurement postulate. Furthermore we will show this linear function has a Kraus representation. Finally, we will discuss about the physical meaning of this consequence.
In this chapter the basic concepts of quantum theory are formulated via a self-consistent set of six postulates. These six postulates deal with the following: operator images of physical observables; properties of state vectors and wave functions; the connection with experimental measurements; coordinate-space forms of those operators having classical analogs; the primary dynamical equation of quantum mechanics; and the completeness of the eigenvectors of observables. The postulates are the framework on which the edifice of quantum mechanics is constructed. A separate section is devoted to the statement of each postulate and to a few examples chosen to illustrate or apply it. A comprehensive set of applications is presented in Chapters 6 and 7, where various 1-D systems are used as the vehicles for illustrating the postulates. The basic theory of this chapter is extended and developed in Chapters 8 and 9. Since probability is a key interpretational concept, a brief introduction to this topic is given in an appendix. We emphasize that our formulation of quantum theory (in this chapter and throughout this book) is restricted to the case of pure states. This is not a major restriction. It means that, when we consider ensembles of individual quantum systems (e.g., single particles, atoms, nuclei, etc.), all of the systems in the ensemble are assumed to be in the same quantum state, not necessarily an eigenstate of a quantal operator. Ensembles for which this assumption does not hold are described by a density operator or density matrix rather than by a pure state; treatments of such cases can be found in references cited later.
We review the postulates of quantum mechanics with respect to the representation of physical states and measurable quantities, their time evolution, and the interpretation of measurements. We first formulate the postulates in terms of wave functions and differential operators, and then reformulate them in the abstract Hilbert space of state vectors, using Dirac’s notations. Improper states subject to Dirac’s delta normalization are introduced, and the space of physical states is extended to include them. The postulates are rationalized by associating each Hermitian linear operator with a complete orthonormal system of its eigenvectors, where measurement probabilities depend on the projections of these eigenvectors on the system’s state vector. Particularly, wave functions are identified as projections of state vectors on the position operator eigenstates. State vectors representing multidimensional systems are formulated as tensor products of vectors in their subspaces. Finally, we address the general uncertainty relations in simultaneous measurements of different observables.
It is generally accepted that no `faster than light signalling' (FTLS) using two entangled spin 1/2 particles is possible because of indeterminism in a quantum measurement and linearity of standard quantum mechanics. We show how in principle one bit of information could be transmitted using local measurements and a global unitary transformation of the state of two entangled spatially separated spin 1/2 particles. Assuming that the postulate of a state collapse due to measurement is valid, the no FTLS condition is saved if we do not have physical access to the required global unitary transformation. This means that the no FTLS condition is also present on the operational level, namely as imposing a physical restriction on the possible realizable unitary transformations, in this case of two entangled but spatially separated spin 1/2.
We show that the basic dynamical rules of quantum physics can be derived from its static properties and the condition that superluminal communication is forbidden. More precisely, the fact that the dynamics has to be described by linear completely positive maps on density matrices is derived from the following assumptions: (1) physical states are described by rays in a Hilbert space, (2) probabilities for measurement outcomes at any given time are calculated according to the usual trace rule, and (3) superluminal communication is excluded. This result also constrains possible nonlinear modifications of quantum physics.
We explore further the suggestion to describe a pre- and postselected system by a two-state, which is determined by two conditions. Starting with a formal definition of a two-state Hilbert space and basic operations, we systematically recast the basics of quantum mechanics---dynamics, observables, and measurement theory---in terms of two-states as the elementary quantities. We find a simple and suggestive formulation that "unifies" two complementary observables: probabilistic observables and nonprobabilistic "weak" observables. Probabilities are relevant for measurements in the "strong-coupling regime." They are given by the absolute square of a two-amplitude (a projection of a two-state). Nonprobabilistic observables are observed in sufficiently weak measurements and are given by linear combinations of the two-amplitude. As a subclass they include the "weak values" of Hermitian operators. We show that in the intermediate regime, one may observe a mixing of probabilities and weak values. A consequence of the suggested formalism and measurement theory is that the problems of nonlocality and Lorentz noncovariance, of the usual prescription with a "reduction," may be eliminated. We exemplify this point for the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen experiment and for a system under successive observations.
An interpretation of quantum mechanics that rejects hidden variables has to say something about the way measurement can be understood as a transformation on states of individual systems, and that leads to the core of the interpretive problems posed by Luders' projection rule: What, if any, is its physical content? In this paper I explore one suggestion which is implicit in usual interpretations of the rule and show that this view does not stand on solid ground. In the process, important aspects of the role played by the projection postulate in the conceptual structure of quantum mechanics will be clarified. It will be shown in particular that serious objections can be raised against the (often implicit) view that identifies the physical relation of compatibility preserved by Luders' rule with the relation of simultaneous measurability. Preparatory measurements are measurements for which we can con- clude on the basis of the result of measurement that the system is (immediately after measurement) in an eigenstate of the eigenvalue corresponding to the given result. Preparatory measurements are first of all experimental processes that select an ensemble to which a quantum (statistical) state can be assigned. Statistical interpretations of the state vector take as fundamental this assignment of a quantum state to (sub)ensembles selected by experimental procedures. But if the exist- ence of hidden variables is denied, then it seems that it should be possible to interpret preparatory measurements in terms of individual state transformations. This can be done by thinking of these measure- ments as idealized measurement transformations satisfying the so-called first kind condition: an immediate repetition of the same measurement gives the same result as the initial measurement. This idealization (taken here for the sake of simplicity) will be assumed here to be non-controversial. Furthermore, it will be assumed here that every measurement can be represented as a first kind measurement: thus, a 'measurement' in this investigation is always to be a 'first kind measure- ment'. For measurements of maximal magnitudes (i.e., magnitudes with no degenerate eigenvalue) Von Neumann argued (1955) that the final state is given by the (unique) eigenstate of the eigenvalue representing the