Meaning of Bloch representation





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What is the meaning of writing a state $|psirangle$ in its Bloch representation. Would I be correct in saying it's just writing out its Bloch vector?










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    What is the meaning of writing a state $|psirangle$ in its Bloch representation. Would I be correct in saying it's just writing out its Bloch vector?










    share|improve this question











    $endgroup$















      1












      1








      1





      $begingroup$


      What is the meaning of writing a state $|psirangle$ in its Bloch representation. Would I be correct in saying it's just writing out its Bloch vector?










      share|improve this question











      $endgroup$




      What is the meaning of writing a state $|psirangle$ in its Bloch representation. Would I be correct in saying it's just writing out its Bloch vector?







      notation bloch-sphere






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      edited 29 mins ago









      Sanchayan Dutta

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      asked 1 hour ago









      can'tcauchycan'tcauchy

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      2015






















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          $begingroup$

          The Bloch sphere formalism is used for geometrically representing pure and mixed states of two-dimensional quantum systems a.k.a qubits. Any pure state $|Psirangle$ of a qubit can be written in the form:



          $$|Psirangle = cosfrac{theta}{2}|0rangle + e^{iphi}sinfrac{theta}{2}|1rangle$$ where $0leq thetaleq pi$ and $0leq phileq 2pi$. This $|Psirangle$ can be represented on the Bloch sphere as:



          Bloch Sphere



          The Bloch vector $vec{a}in Bbb R^3$ is basically $(sintheta cosphi, sinthetasinphi, cos theta) = (a_1,a_2,a_3)$.



          To represent mixed states you need to consider the corresponding density operator $rho$. the set of states of a single qubit can be described in terms of $2times 2$ density matrices and as ${I,X,Y,Z}$ forms a basis for the vector space of $2times 2$ Hermitian matrices, you can write the density operator as $$rho = a_0I+a_1X+a_2Y+a_3Z = frac{1}{2}begin{pmatrix}1+a_3 & a_1-ia_2 \ a_1+ia_2 & 1-a_3end{pmatrix}.$$ As density matrices always have trace $1$, and here $mathrm{tr}(rho)=2a_0$, so $a_0$ is necessarily $frac{1}{2}$. So from here you can find out the Bloch coordinates of the any mixed state i.e. $(a_1,a_2,a_3)$ after performing the Pauli decompostion of the density matrix. If you're wondering what ensures that $|vec{a}|leq 1$, it's the positive semidefiniteness! The two eigenvalues of $rho$ are $frac{1}{2}(1+|vec{a}|)$ and $frac{1}{2}(1-|vec{a}|)$. Thus, to ensure that the second eigenvalue is non-negative, $|vec{a}|leq 1$. The three properties of density matrices which you should drill into your brain are: self-adjointness, positive-semidefiniteness and unit trace.



          Once you determine the values $a_1,a_2$ and $a_3$ from the density operator, you can easily find the location of the qubit state $(sintheta cosphi, sinthetasinphi, cos theta)$ inside the Bloch sphere. Let me emphasize on this point: pure states lie on the Bloch sphere (i.e. $|vec{a}|=1$) whereas mixed states lie inside the Bloch sphere (i.e. $|vec{a}|<1$); prove this as an exercise. If you're mathematically inclined, you'll also love to think about the Bloch sphere in terms of stereographic projections; it's excellently summarized in this Physics SE answer. I'll attach the image from there, which is originally from this blogpost (the article is in French, sorry :).



          enter image description here



          Here are a few "further readings" for you:




          • Density matrices for pure states and mixed states

          • Why do Bloch sphere wavefunctions have half angles?

          • Homeomorphism or stereographic projection corresponding to the set of mixed states within the Bloch sphere


          • Purity of mixed states as a function of radial distance from origin of Bloch ball


          • Can the Bloch sphere be generalized to two qubits?


          • Why is an entangled qubit shown at the origin of a Bloch sphere?



          Essentially, go through the bloch-sphere tag; you'll find several interesting questions and answers, which should clarify most of your beginner confusions about the Bloch sphere formalism.






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            $begingroup$

            The Bloch sphere formalism is used for geometrically representing pure and mixed states of two-dimensional quantum systems a.k.a qubits. Any pure state $|Psirangle$ of a qubit can be written in the form:



            $$|Psirangle = cosfrac{theta}{2}|0rangle + e^{iphi}sinfrac{theta}{2}|1rangle$$ where $0leq thetaleq pi$ and $0leq phileq 2pi$. This $|Psirangle$ can be represented on the Bloch sphere as:



            Bloch Sphere



            The Bloch vector $vec{a}in Bbb R^3$ is basically $(sintheta cosphi, sinthetasinphi, cos theta) = (a_1,a_2,a_3)$.



            To represent mixed states you need to consider the corresponding density operator $rho$. the set of states of a single qubit can be described in terms of $2times 2$ density matrices and as ${I,X,Y,Z}$ forms a basis for the vector space of $2times 2$ Hermitian matrices, you can write the density operator as $$rho = a_0I+a_1X+a_2Y+a_3Z = frac{1}{2}begin{pmatrix}1+a_3 & a_1-ia_2 \ a_1+ia_2 & 1-a_3end{pmatrix}.$$ As density matrices always have trace $1$, and here $mathrm{tr}(rho)=2a_0$, so $a_0$ is necessarily $frac{1}{2}$. So from here you can find out the Bloch coordinates of the any mixed state i.e. $(a_1,a_2,a_3)$ after performing the Pauli decompostion of the density matrix. If you're wondering what ensures that $|vec{a}|leq 1$, it's the positive semidefiniteness! The two eigenvalues of $rho$ are $frac{1}{2}(1+|vec{a}|)$ and $frac{1}{2}(1-|vec{a}|)$. Thus, to ensure that the second eigenvalue is non-negative, $|vec{a}|leq 1$. The three properties of density matrices which you should drill into your brain are: self-adjointness, positive-semidefiniteness and unit trace.



            Once you determine the values $a_1,a_2$ and $a_3$ from the density operator, you can easily find the location of the qubit state $(sintheta cosphi, sinthetasinphi, cos theta)$ inside the Bloch sphere. Let me emphasize on this point: pure states lie on the Bloch sphere (i.e. $|vec{a}|=1$) whereas mixed states lie inside the Bloch sphere (i.e. $|vec{a}|<1$); prove this as an exercise. If you're mathematically inclined, you'll also love to think about the Bloch sphere in terms of stereographic projections; it's excellently summarized in this Physics SE answer. I'll attach the image from there, which is originally from this blogpost (the article is in French, sorry :).



            enter image description here



            Here are a few "further readings" for you:




            • Density matrices for pure states and mixed states

            • Why do Bloch sphere wavefunctions have half angles?

            • Homeomorphism or stereographic projection corresponding to the set of mixed states within the Bloch sphere


            • Purity of mixed states as a function of radial distance from origin of Bloch ball


            • Can the Bloch sphere be generalized to two qubits?


            • Why is an entangled qubit shown at the origin of a Bloch sphere?



            Essentially, go through the bloch-sphere tag; you'll find several interesting questions and answers, which should clarify most of your beginner confusions about the Bloch sphere formalism.






            share|improve this answer











            $endgroup$


















              2












              $begingroup$

              The Bloch sphere formalism is used for geometrically representing pure and mixed states of two-dimensional quantum systems a.k.a qubits. Any pure state $|Psirangle$ of a qubit can be written in the form:



              $$|Psirangle = cosfrac{theta}{2}|0rangle + e^{iphi}sinfrac{theta}{2}|1rangle$$ where $0leq thetaleq pi$ and $0leq phileq 2pi$. This $|Psirangle$ can be represented on the Bloch sphere as:



              Bloch Sphere



              The Bloch vector $vec{a}in Bbb R^3$ is basically $(sintheta cosphi, sinthetasinphi, cos theta) = (a_1,a_2,a_3)$.



              To represent mixed states you need to consider the corresponding density operator $rho$. the set of states of a single qubit can be described in terms of $2times 2$ density matrices and as ${I,X,Y,Z}$ forms a basis for the vector space of $2times 2$ Hermitian matrices, you can write the density operator as $$rho = a_0I+a_1X+a_2Y+a_3Z = frac{1}{2}begin{pmatrix}1+a_3 & a_1-ia_2 \ a_1+ia_2 & 1-a_3end{pmatrix}.$$ As density matrices always have trace $1$, and here $mathrm{tr}(rho)=2a_0$, so $a_0$ is necessarily $frac{1}{2}$. So from here you can find out the Bloch coordinates of the any mixed state i.e. $(a_1,a_2,a_3)$ after performing the Pauli decompostion of the density matrix. If you're wondering what ensures that $|vec{a}|leq 1$, it's the positive semidefiniteness! The two eigenvalues of $rho$ are $frac{1}{2}(1+|vec{a}|)$ and $frac{1}{2}(1-|vec{a}|)$. Thus, to ensure that the second eigenvalue is non-negative, $|vec{a}|leq 1$. The three properties of density matrices which you should drill into your brain are: self-adjointness, positive-semidefiniteness and unit trace.



              Once you determine the values $a_1,a_2$ and $a_3$ from the density operator, you can easily find the location of the qubit state $(sintheta cosphi, sinthetasinphi, cos theta)$ inside the Bloch sphere. Let me emphasize on this point: pure states lie on the Bloch sphere (i.e. $|vec{a}|=1$) whereas mixed states lie inside the Bloch sphere (i.e. $|vec{a}|<1$); prove this as an exercise. If you're mathematically inclined, you'll also love to think about the Bloch sphere in terms of stereographic projections; it's excellently summarized in this Physics SE answer. I'll attach the image from there, which is originally from this blogpost (the article is in French, sorry :).



              enter image description here



              Here are a few "further readings" for you:




              • Density matrices for pure states and mixed states

              • Why do Bloch sphere wavefunctions have half angles?

              • Homeomorphism or stereographic projection corresponding to the set of mixed states within the Bloch sphere


              • Purity of mixed states as a function of radial distance from origin of Bloch ball


              • Can the Bloch sphere be generalized to two qubits?


              • Why is an entangled qubit shown at the origin of a Bloch sphere?



              Essentially, go through the bloch-sphere tag; you'll find several interesting questions and answers, which should clarify most of your beginner confusions about the Bloch sphere formalism.






              share|improve this answer











              $endgroup$
















                2












                2








                2





                $begingroup$

                The Bloch sphere formalism is used for geometrically representing pure and mixed states of two-dimensional quantum systems a.k.a qubits. Any pure state $|Psirangle$ of a qubit can be written in the form:



                $$|Psirangle = cosfrac{theta}{2}|0rangle + e^{iphi}sinfrac{theta}{2}|1rangle$$ where $0leq thetaleq pi$ and $0leq phileq 2pi$. This $|Psirangle$ can be represented on the Bloch sphere as:



                Bloch Sphere



                The Bloch vector $vec{a}in Bbb R^3$ is basically $(sintheta cosphi, sinthetasinphi, cos theta) = (a_1,a_2,a_3)$.



                To represent mixed states you need to consider the corresponding density operator $rho$. the set of states of a single qubit can be described in terms of $2times 2$ density matrices and as ${I,X,Y,Z}$ forms a basis for the vector space of $2times 2$ Hermitian matrices, you can write the density operator as $$rho = a_0I+a_1X+a_2Y+a_3Z = frac{1}{2}begin{pmatrix}1+a_3 & a_1-ia_2 \ a_1+ia_2 & 1-a_3end{pmatrix}.$$ As density matrices always have trace $1$, and here $mathrm{tr}(rho)=2a_0$, so $a_0$ is necessarily $frac{1}{2}$. So from here you can find out the Bloch coordinates of the any mixed state i.e. $(a_1,a_2,a_3)$ after performing the Pauli decompostion of the density matrix. If you're wondering what ensures that $|vec{a}|leq 1$, it's the positive semidefiniteness! The two eigenvalues of $rho$ are $frac{1}{2}(1+|vec{a}|)$ and $frac{1}{2}(1-|vec{a}|)$. Thus, to ensure that the second eigenvalue is non-negative, $|vec{a}|leq 1$. The three properties of density matrices which you should drill into your brain are: self-adjointness, positive-semidefiniteness and unit trace.



                Once you determine the values $a_1,a_2$ and $a_3$ from the density operator, you can easily find the location of the qubit state $(sintheta cosphi, sinthetasinphi, cos theta)$ inside the Bloch sphere. Let me emphasize on this point: pure states lie on the Bloch sphere (i.e. $|vec{a}|=1$) whereas mixed states lie inside the Bloch sphere (i.e. $|vec{a}|<1$); prove this as an exercise. If you're mathematically inclined, you'll also love to think about the Bloch sphere in terms of stereographic projections; it's excellently summarized in this Physics SE answer. I'll attach the image from there, which is originally from this blogpost (the article is in French, sorry :).



                enter image description here



                Here are a few "further readings" for you:




                • Density matrices for pure states and mixed states

                • Why do Bloch sphere wavefunctions have half angles?

                • Homeomorphism or stereographic projection corresponding to the set of mixed states within the Bloch sphere


                • Purity of mixed states as a function of radial distance from origin of Bloch ball


                • Can the Bloch sphere be generalized to two qubits?


                • Why is an entangled qubit shown at the origin of a Bloch sphere?



                Essentially, go through the bloch-sphere tag; you'll find several interesting questions and answers, which should clarify most of your beginner confusions about the Bloch sphere formalism.






                share|improve this answer











                $endgroup$



                The Bloch sphere formalism is used for geometrically representing pure and mixed states of two-dimensional quantum systems a.k.a qubits. Any pure state $|Psirangle$ of a qubit can be written in the form:



                $$|Psirangle = cosfrac{theta}{2}|0rangle + e^{iphi}sinfrac{theta}{2}|1rangle$$ where $0leq thetaleq pi$ and $0leq phileq 2pi$. This $|Psirangle$ can be represented on the Bloch sphere as:



                Bloch Sphere



                The Bloch vector $vec{a}in Bbb R^3$ is basically $(sintheta cosphi, sinthetasinphi, cos theta) = (a_1,a_2,a_3)$.



                To represent mixed states you need to consider the corresponding density operator $rho$. the set of states of a single qubit can be described in terms of $2times 2$ density matrices and as ${I,X,Y,Z}$ forms a basis for the vector space of $2times 2$ Hermitian matrices, you can write the density operator as $$rho = a_0I+a_1X+a_2Y+a_3Z = frac{1}{2}begin{pmatrix}1+a_3 & a_1-ia_2 \ a_1+ia_2 & 1-a_3end{pmatrix}.$$ As density matrices always have trace $1$, and here $mathrm{tr}(rho)=2a_0$, so $a_0$ is necessarily $frac{1}{2}$. So from here you can find out the Bloch coordinates of the any mixed state i.e. $(a_1,a_2,a_3)$ after performing the Pauli decompostion of the density matrix. If you're wondering what ensures that $|vec{a}|leq 1$, it's the positive semidefiniteness! The two eigenvalues of $rho$ are $frac{1}{2}(1+|vec{a}|)$ and $frac{1}{2}(1-|vec{a}|)$. Thus, to ensure that the second eigenvalue is non-negative, $|vec{a}|leq 1$. The three properties of density matrices which you should drill into your brain are: self-adjointness, positive-semidefiniteness and unit trace.



                Once you determine the values $a_1,a_2$ and $a_3$ from the density operator, you can easily find the location of the qubit state $(sintheta cosphi, sinthetasinphi, cos theta)$ inside the Bloch sphere. Let me emphasize on this point: pure states lie on the Bloch sphere (i.e. $|vec{a}|=1$) whereas mixed states lie inside the Bloch sphere (i.e. $|vec{a}|<1$); prove this as an exercise. If you're mathematically inclined, you'll also love to think about the Bloch sphere in terms of stereographic projections; it's excellently summarized in this Physics SE answer. I'll attach the image from there, which is originally from this blogpost (the article is in French, sorry :).



                enter image description here



                Here are a few "further readings" for you:




                • Density matrices for pure states and mixed states

                • Why do Bloch sphere wavefunctions have half angles?

                • Homeomorphism or stereographic projection corresponding to the set of mixed states within the Bloch sphere


                • Purity of mixed states as a function of radial distance from origin of Bloch ball


                • Can the Bloch sphere be generalized to two qubits?


                • Why is an entangled qubit shown at the origin of a Bloch sphere?



                Essentially, go through the bloch-sphere tag; you'll find several interesting questions and answers, which should clarify most of your beginner confusions about the Bloch sphere formalism.







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited 21 mins ago

























                answered 34 mins ago









                Sanchayan DuttaSanchayan Dutta

                6,75841556




                6,75841556






























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