Can I Write a Hermitian Matrix as A=A^(1/2)AH^(1/2)?

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A Hermitian matrix A can indeed be expressed as A = A^(1/2)A^(1/2), since the Hermitian property implies that A^H = A. The discussion clarifies that the notation A^(H/2) refers to the square root of the conjugate transpose of A. Participants confirm that for Hermitian matrices, this simplifies to the square root of A multiplied by itself. This understanding resolves the initial confusion regarding the notation used.
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Hello,

If I have a Hermitian matrix A, can I write it as:

\mathbf{A}=\mathbf{A}^{1/2}\mathbf{A}^{H/2}

where superscript H denotes hermitian operation?

Thanks
 
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What do you mean with ##H/2##? Do you mean

(A^H)^{1/2}

or something similar?
 
micromass said:
What do you mean with ##H/2##? Do you mean

(A^H)^{1/2}

or something similar?

Yes exactly, it means the square root of the complex conjugation transpose of A.
 
OK, but if ##A## is hermitian, then ##A^H = A##, no? So you can write your original post as

A = A^{1/2}A^{1/2}

which is certainly true.
 
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micromass said:
OK, but if ##A## is hermitian, then ##A^H = A##, no? So you can write your original post as

A = A^{1/2}A^{1/2}

which is certainly true.

Oh, I didn't see it that way. Thanks
 
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