Trace and its square of mixed state density operator using integral

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on proving the properties of the mixed state density operator, specifically that the trace of the mixed state, tr(ρ_mixed), equals 1, while the trace of its square, tr(ρ_mixed²), is less than 1. The mixed state density operator is defined as ρ_mixed = (1/2π)∫₀²π dα ρ(ψ). The calculations presented show that tr(ρ_mixed) simplifies correctly to 1, but the attempt to compute tr(ρ_mixed²) reveals an error in the reasoning. The mistake lies in the assumption that the square of the trace behaves the same way as the trace itself, indicating a misunderstanding of the properties of mixed states. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate calculations in quantum mechanics.
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Homework Statement


I want to show that
tr\left(\hat{\rho}_{mixed}\right)=1
tr\left(\hat{\rho}_{mixed}^{2}\right)<1
when
<br /> \hat{\rho}_{mixed}=\frac{1}{2\pi}\int_{0}^{2\pi}d \alpha \hat{\rho}(\psi)<br />

Homework Equations


tr\left(\psi\right)= \sum_{n}\langle n|\psi|n\rangle
\hat{\rho}=\sum_{a}\omega_{a}|\psi\rangle\langle \psi|


The Attempt at a Solution


\hat{\rho}_{mixed}=\frac{1}{2\pi}\int_{0}^{2\pi}d\alpha\hat{\rho}(\psi)=\frac{1}{2\pi}\left[\alpha\right]_{0}^{2\pi}\hat{\rho}(\psi)=\frac{1}{2\pi}\left[2\pi-0\right]\hat{\rho}(\psi)=\hat{\rho}(\psi)<br />
tr\left(\hat{\rho}_{mixed}(\psi)\right)= tr\left( \hat{\rho}(\psi)\right)=\sum_{n}\sum_{a}\langle n| \underbrace{\psi_{a}\rangle\langle\psi_{a}}_{=1}|n\rangle=\sum_{n}\langle n|n\rangle=1
tr \left(\hat{\rho}_{mixed}^{2}( \psi)\right)= tr\left( \hat{\rho}^{2}(\psi)\right)= tr\left(\hat{\rho}(\psi) \cdot \hat{\rho}(\psi)\right) = \sum_{n}\sum_{a,b} \langle n| \underbrace{\psi_{a}\rangle \langle\psi_{a}}_{=1}| \underbrace{\psi_{b} \rangle\langle\psi_{b}}_{=1}|n\rangle= \sum_{n}\langle n|n\rangle= 1

That`s not correct, at least not the square of the trace.
 
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