Commutator, where have I gone wrong?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of a commutator involving Pauli matrices in different Hilbert spaces. The original poster expresses confusion over their calculations, particularly regarding the outcome of the commutator resulting in zero.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to compute the commutator step by step but questions the validity of their result. Some participants suggest a potential error in the signs of terms in the calculations, specifically in the fourth line of the original poster's work. Others seek clarification on why a specific equality involving the matrices does not hold.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on specific steps in the calculations. There is an acknowledgment of a possible mistake, but clarity on the reasoning behind certain matrix operations is still being sought.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of matrix multiplication rules and properties of the Pauli matrices, with a focus on ensuring correct sign usage in their calculations.

raisin_raisin
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This is for the Pauli Matrics 0 and 1 are different Hilbert Spaces
\left[(I-Z)_{0}\otimes(I-Z)_{1} , Y_{0}\otimes Z_{1}\right]
=\left((I-Z)_{0}\otimes(I-Z)_{1}\right)\left(Y_{0}\otimes Z_{1}\right)-\left(Y_{0}\otimes Z_{1}\right)\left((I-Z)_{0}\otimes(I-Z)_{1}\right)
=\left((I-Z)_{0}Y_{0}\otimes(I-Z)_{1} Z_{1} - Y_{0}(I-Z)_{0} \otimes Z_{1}(I-Z)_{1}
= (Y_{0} -Z_{0}Y_{0}) \otimes (Z-I)_{1} - ((Y_{0} + Y_{0}Z_{0})\otimes (Z-I)_{1}
= (Y_{0} -Z_{0}Y_{0}) \otimes (Z-I)_{1} - ((Y_{0} - Z_{0}Y_{0})\otimes (Z-I)_{1}<br /> =0<br />

I think this is wrong because I have done it long hand (i.e multiplying the matrices) and also I really, really don't want zero for an answer :).

Thanks
 
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Fourth line, second term, I think the plus should be turned to minus..
 
dioib said:
Fourth line, second term, I think the plus should be turned to minus..
Thanks for your reply, sorry I still can't see it though, could you explain why?
Thanks again.
 
raisin_raisin said:
Thanks for your reply, sorry I still can't see it though, could you explain why?
Thanks again.

You really don't see why

-Y_0(I-Z)_0\neq-(Y_0+Y_0Z_0)

?
 
gabbagabbahey said:
You really don't see why

-Y_0(I-Z)_0\neq-(Y_0+Y_0Z_0)

?

:blushing: Oops, thanks!
 

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