Kybernetika 46 no. 6, 1061-1068, 2010

Quantum Bochner theorems and incompatible observables

Robin L. Hudson

Abstract:

A quantum version of Bochner's theorem characterising Fourier transforms of probability measures on locally compact Abelian groups gives a characterisation of the Fourier transforms of Wigner quasi-joint distributions of position and momentum. An analogous quantum Bochner theorem characterises quasi-joint distributions of components of spin. In both cases quantum states in which a true distribution exists are characterised by the intersection of two convex sets. This may be described explicitly in the spin case as the intersection of the Bloch sphere with a regular tetrahedron whose edges touch the sphere.

Keywords:

Bochner's Theorem, multiplier-nonnegative-definiteness, Wigner quasidensities, Pauli matrices

Classification:

60B15, 81S30

References:

  1. S. Bochner: Lectures on Fourier Integrals. Princeton University Press 1959.   CrossRef
  2. C. D. Cushen: Quasi-characteristic functions of canonical observcables in quantum mechanics. Nottingham PhD Thesis 1970.   CrossRef
  3. A. S. Holevo: Veroiatnostnye i statistichneskie aspekty kvantovoi teorii. Nauka, Moscow 1980, English translation Probabilistic and statistical aspects of quantum theory, North Holland 1982.   CrossRef
  4. R. L. Hudson: When is the Wigner quasi-probability density nonnegative? Rep. Math. Phys. 6 (1974), 249-252.   CrossRef
  5. I. I. Gikhman and A. V. Skorohod: Introduction to the Theory of Random Processes. Philadelphia 1969.   CrossRef
  6. J. C. T. Pool: Mathematical aspects of the Weyl correspondence. J. Math. Phys. 7 (1966), 66-76.   CrossRef
  7. W. Rudin: Fourier Analysis on Groups. Interscience New York 1962.   CrossRef
  8. E. Wigner: On the quantum correction to thermodynamic equilibrium. Phys. Rev. 40 (1932), 749-759.   CrossRef