Linear Algebra: Orthogonality of Hermitean Projectors

1. Apr 23, 2008

Martin Muñoz

I'm studying for my Quantum Computing exam. It's at 2 PM EST today. If anyone can give me a nudge in the right direction before then that would be excellent!

Problem:

Assume the operators $$P_i$$ satisfy:
• $$\textbf{1} = \sum_i{P_i}$$
• $$P_i^{\dagger} = P_i$$
• $$P_j^2 = P_j$$.
Show that $$P_i P_j = 0$$ whenever $$i \ne j$$.

Attempt:

This seemed really obvious to me intuitively but I've been struggling with a proof.

First I wrote $$P_i = \textbf{1} - \sum_{i \ne m}{P_m}$$ and $$P_j = \textbf{1} - \sum_{j \ne n}{P_n}$$. I then tried to apply the first to the second, but it got messy and I couldn't get anywhere.

Then I tried to create some identities to see if that would make things more clear:

$$P_i P_j = P_i^\dagger P_j^\dagger = (P_j P_i)^\dagger$$
and
$$P_i P_j = P_i^2 P_j^2 = P_i P_i P_j P_j = P_i (P_j P_i)^\dagger P_j$$

but all I could think of. :(

2. Apr 23, 2008

Dick

It's easy if you think in terms of eigenvalues and eigenvectors.

3. Apr 23, 2008

Martin Muñoz

At this point in the book (An Introduction to Quantum Computing by P. Kaye, R. Laflamme, M. Mosca) the connection between trace and the sum of the eigenvalues has not been made.

I was hoping some could point out a more direct proof using only the 3 facts I listed.

It looks like there won't be an answer in time for my exam, but I'm still interested in a solution at any time if someone knows one !

4. Apr 23, 2008

HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
The eigenvalues of a projection map are either 1 or 0. What are the eigenvectors?

5. Apr 23, 2008

Dick

The essential fact you need is that any Pi has eigenvalues 0 and 1 and you can make a basis out of those eigenvectors. Given this can you show that <v,Pi(v)> >= 0, with equality holding only if Pi(v)=0? Once you've done that, to show PjPi=0 test it on an eigenbasis of Pi. If Pi(v)=0, you're done, if Pi(v)=v then PjPi(v)=Pj(v). If that's not equal to zero then you have Pi(v)=v and Pj(v) nonzero. Now write <Iv,v>=<v,v> and substitute the sum of the P's for I.

6. Apr 24, 2008

Martin Muñoz

Woops, not sure why I mentioned trace. Must have been all the studying. :)

Dick, that's really helpful. I appreciate it! Is it customary/ok to post the solution? (I couldn't find any rules on the forum)

7. Apr 24, 2008

Dick

Posting a complete solution is a no-no. But I put more detail than usual into this one since your exam is over - and I actually found it harder to get the details right than I expected. But it's not complete. You still have to show the <Pi(v),v> >= 0 part and use the operator sum to get the final result.

8. Apr 24, 2008

Martin Muñoz

Just to clarify, I meant to ask if it is ok for ME to post the full solution (assuming I solve it - I have to study for a complex analysis exam first )

9. Apr 24, 2008

Dick

If you want to post a solution for discussion, sure. The rule applies to solving somebody else's problem for them. Of course you can solve your own problem. :)

10. Apr 24, 2008

e(ho0n3

How are you liking that book so far? I'm planning on studying QC on my own in the fall. Would you recommend it for self study?

11. Apr 24, 2008

Martin Muñoz

Technically, this book is suitable for anyone who has taken a couple Linear Algebras. Realistically, some experience with Hilbert Spaces, group theory, dirac notation, tensor products, minimal quantum mechanics would help - the authors do spend the first two chapters bringing you up to speed though.

I find it difficult to say that a book is "bad" when I have not written a book on the subject.

With that said, objectively, few theorems in this book are book are proven and there are few exercises (and no solutions available). This can be a good or bad thing, I guess. I personally like to see more things proved, because the exercises generally require steps/logic/ideas that are seen in the proofs of theorems. I think they were trying to keep the book short and concise though.

Feel free to check out my course's assignments while they're still up:

www dot math dot mcmaster dot ca/courses/term2/math3qc3/Assignment%20Questions%20and%20Solutions.htm

(Sorry, I'm not allowed to post a URL until I have 15 posts)