Is partial trace still cyclic?

[jenga42]

Hello,

I know trace is usually cyclic, but is partial trace cyclic too? Why?

Thanks!

Jenga

 

[jenga42]

Ok... so I know that it isn't cyclic now ... just by picking a random example, but if anyone knows the reason why it's not cyclic, and has a general proof as to why it's not, I'd be very grateful to hear it!

Thanks.

 

[morphism]

What's the definition of a partial trace?

 

[jenga42]

Normal trace is equivalent to the sum of the eigenvalues (or diagonal elements) of a matrix. Partial trace acts only on part of the system, so for a density matrix.. say it's a pure state but entangled,

[tex]\rho_{AB}=\frac{1}{2}(|01\rangle +|10\rangle )(\langle 01|+\langle 10 |)[/tex]

The partial trace over subsystem B gives the reduced density matrix [tex]\rho_A[/tex], so [tex]Tr_B(\rho_{AB})=\rho_A[/tex]

So

[tex]\rho_A=_B\langle 0 |\rho_{AB}|0\rangle_B +_B\langle 1 |\rho_{AB}|1\rangle_B[/tex]
[tex]\rho_A=|1\rangle \langle 1 | + |0\rangle \langle 0 | [/tex]

My question is how do I prove that

[tex]Tr_B (\rho \sigma) = Tr_B (\sigma \rho)[/tex]

where [tex]\rho[/tex] and [tex]\sigma[/tex] are both density matrices of a system AB.

Thanks!