Geometry of Quantum States

  • Samuel L. Braunstein
  • Carlton M. Caves
Chapter

Abstract

In general relativity the dynamics of a system is related to the geometry of space-time in an intuitively beautiful form: space-time tells matter how to move, and matter tells space-time how to curve. In this paper we consider a natural geometry on the space of quantum states (density operators), with very different consequences. In particular, this geometry does not describe the dynamics, or evolution, of a quantum system; rather it places limits on our ability to distinguish one state from another through measurements.

Keywords

Vector Space Tangent Space Density Operator Great Circle Wigner Function 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 1995

Authors and Affiliations

  • Samuel L. Braunstein
    • 1
  • Carlton M. Caves
    • 1
  1. 1.Center for Advanced Studies, Department of Physics and AstronomyUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerqueUSA

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