Variant of Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff Formula

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    Commutation Matrices
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of the expression $$e^{X+Y}Ze^{-(X+Y)} - e^{Y}e^{X}Ze^{-X}e^{-Y}$$ where ##X, Y, Z## are non-commuting matrices. Participants explore the potential for a closed form solution and the challenges involved in manipulating the expression using the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff (BCH) identity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire for a clean or closed form of the given expression and mentions using the BCH identity to expand the terms.
  • Another participant asserts that the problem is fundamentally unresolvable due to the lack of control over the commutation relations between the matrices involved, particularly with respect to ##Z##.
  • A further reply questions the implications of changing the sides of ##Z## and emphasizes the complications arising from the non-commutativity of the matrices.
  • One participant suggests approaching the problem using nilpotent matrices, specifically referencing the three-dimensional Heisenberg algebra, and indicates a potential for discovering patterns through this method.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the possibility of simplifying the expression. There are competing views on the feasibility of finding a closed form solution, with some expressing skepticism about the ability to control the interactions between the matrices.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexities involved in manipulating non-commuting matrices and the limitations of the BCH identity in this context. There is an acknowledgment of the need for specific assumptions regarding the matrices to potentially simplify the expression.

thatboi
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TL;DR
I want to evaluate ##e^{X+Y}Ze^{-(X+Y)} - e^{Y}e^{X}Ze^{-X}e^{-Y}##
Hi all,
I was wondering if there was a clean/closed form version of the following expression: $$e^{X+Y}Ze^{-(X+Y)} - e^{Y}e^{X}Ze^{-X}e^{-Y}$$
where ##X,Y,Z## are matrices that don't commute with each other. I know of the BCH identity ##e^{X}Ye^{-X} = Y + [X,Y] + \frac{1}{2!}[X,[X,Y]] + \frac{1}{3!}[X,[X,[X,Y]]] + ...##
and I have used the identity to expand each term in my expression, but I cannot see a good way of cleaning up the result, I'm just left with a bunch of nested operators.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
 
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thatboi said:
TL;DR Summary: I want to evaluate ##e^{X+Y}Ze^{-(X+Y)} - e^{Y}e^{X}Ze^{-X}e^{-Y}##

Hi all,
I was wondering if there was a clean/closed form version of the following expression: $$e^{X+Y}Ze^{-(X+Y)} - e^{Y}e^{X}Ze^{-X}e^{-Y}$$
where ##X,Y,Z## are matrices that don't commute with each other. I know of the BCH identity ##e^{X}Ye^{-X} = Y + [X,Y] + \frac{1}{2!}[X,[X,Y]] + \frac{1}{3!}[X,[X,[X,Y]]] + ...##
and I have used the identity to expand each term in my expression, but I cannot see a good way of cleaning up the result, I'm just left with a bunch of nested operators.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
No way. What you are basically asking for is how to move the garbage on the left through ##Z## in order to annihilate the garbage on the right. Since you allow anything to happen by changing the sides of ##Z##, there is no way to make predictions.
 
fresh_42 said:
No way. What you are basically asking for is how to move the garbage on the left through ##Z## in order to annihilate the garbage on the right. Since you allow anything to happen by changing the sides of ##Z##, there is no way to make predictions.
Could you elaborate on what you mean by "Since you allow anything to happen by changing the sides of ##Z## "?
 
thatboi said:
Could you elaborate on what you mean by "Since you allow anything to happen by changing the sides of ##Z## "?
You have certain combined expressions in ##X## and ##Y## on the left and no control over how they commutate with ##Z##. ##e^X## and ##Z## aren't even in the same space.

I would approach this problem with nilpotent matrices of low degree, say the three-dimensional Heisenberg algebra for instance. Then with matrices of a bit increased degree of nilpotency. Maybe you can find a pattern. I will see if I can find something in the books.
 

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