Negative off-diagonal elements in density matrix?

In summary, negative off-diagonal elements in a density matrix represent correlations between different states of a quantum system. These elements can be caused by particle interactions and indicate a non-classical, quantum state. They can be manipulated and are not always present in all density matrices.
  • #1
zje
16
0
I have a quick question. I've been trying to search for an answer, but I'm probably looking in the wrong places.

Is it valid to have negative off-diagonal elements in a density matrix?

Thanks!
 
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  • #2
Sure, just take the density matrix for the state (up - down).
 
  • #3
Of course.

In diagonal form you can interpret the diagonal elements as probabilities. But in addition you know that all symmetric matrices can be diagonalized via a unitary transformation.
 

Related to Negative off-diagonal elements in density matrix?

1. What are negative off-diagonal elements in a density matrix?

The density matrix is a mathematical representation of a quantum system that describes the probabilities of different states of the system. The off-diagonal elements represent the correlations between these states. Negative off-diagonal elements indicate that the states are negatively correlated, meaning that if one state is more likely to occur, the other state is less likely to occur.

2. What causes negative off-diagonal elements in a density matrix?

Negative off-diagonal elements can be caused by interactions between particles in the system. These interactions can lead to correlations between the states, resulting in negative off-diagonal elements in the density matrix.

3. What is the significance of negative off-diagonal elements in a density matrix?

Negative off-diagonal elements indicate that the system is in a non-classical, quantum state. This means that the system cannot be described solely by classical laws of physics, and quantum effects must be taken into account.

4. Can the presence of negative off-diagonal elements be manipulated?

Yes, it is possible to manipulate the off-diagonal elements of a density matrix through various techniques such as quantum control and measurement. This can be useful in quantum information processing and quantum computing.

5. Are negative off-diagonal elements always present in a density matrix?

No, not all density matrices have negative off-diagonal elements. In some cases, the states in the system may be uncorrelated or have positive correlations, resulting in a density matrix with only positive off-diagonal elements.

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