Which of these statements about tensor products is incorrect?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties and interpretations of tensor products in quantum mechanics, particularly in relation to interactions between systems, entangled states, and the implications of these concepts. It includes theoretical considerations and clarifications regarding the definitions and relationships between different states.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the interaction between two systems A and B is described by the tensor product of their respective Hilbert spaces, H_A and H_B.
  • Others argue that an entangled state cannot be expressed as a simple tensor product of states from the individual systems, emphasizing that entangled states belong to a composite Hilbert space but require a more complex representation.
  • There is a claim that it is possible to produce entangled states through appropriate interactions between systems.
  • One participant suggests that the initial statements about tensor products may contain oversimplifications, indicating that at least one of the statements must be incorrect.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correctness of the initial statements regarding tensor products, with some asserting that certain statements are incorrect while others defend their validity. The discussion remains unresolved regarding which specific statement is oversimplified.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for precise definitions of Hilbert spaces and the nature of entangled states, indicating that misunderstandings may arise from oversimplified interpretations of these concepts.

nomadreid
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I have read the following three simplifications in various places, but together they give a contradiction, so at least one of them must be an oversimplification. Which one?
(a) Interaction between two systems A and B is described by A[itex]\otimes[/itex]B
(b) An entangled state C is a pure state, and hence there does not exist A and B such that A[itex]\otimes[/itex]B = C
(c) By appropriate interactions one can produce entangled states.

Thanks.
 
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(A) is not correct. The correct statement should be
If [itex]H_A[/itex] is the hilbertspace of system A and [itex]H_B[/itex] is space of system B, then the hilbertspace of composite system is [itex]H_A[/itex][itex]\otimes[/itex][itex]H_B[/itex]

(B) is not correct. The correct statement should be
If [itex]|C\rangle[/itex][itex]\in[/itex][itex]H_A[/itex][itex]\otimes[/itex][itex]H_B[/itex] represents entangled state then it can not be written in the form [itex]|A\rangle[/itex][itex]\otimes[/itex][itex]|B\rangle[/itex] where [itex]|A\rangle[/itex][itex]\in[/itex][itex]H_A[/itex] and [itex]|B\rangle[/itex][itex]\in[/itex][itex]H_B[/itex]

(C) is correct.
 
(a) interaction between two systems whose individual Hilbert spaces are [itex]H_A[/itex] and [itex]H_B[/itex] can be describe by states [itex]|\psi\rangle[/itex] belonging to the direct product of these Hilbert spaces [itex]H=H_A\otimes H_B[/itex].

(b) an entangled state [itex]|\psi\rangle_C[/itex] belongs to this direct product Hilbert space, however, it cannot be expressed simply as a tensor product of states belonging to [itex]H_A[/itex] and [itex]H_B[/itex]. That is, for [itex]|\psi\rangle_A\in H_A[/itex] and [itex]|\psi\rangle_B\in H_B[/itex], one cannot write [itex]|\psi\rangle_C=|\psi\rangle_A\otimes|\psi\rangle_B[/itex], rather [itex]|\psi\rangle_C=\sum_{i,j}\alpha_{ij}|\psi_i\rangle_A\otimes|\psi_j \rangle_B[/itex] where [itex]\{|\psi_i\rangle_A\}\subset H_A[/itex], [itex]\{|\psi_i\rangle_B\}\subset H_B[/itex] and there MUST be more than one non-vanishing terms in the sum for an entangled state [itex]|\psi\rangle_C[/itex].

(c) this is correct. (Edit: Actually, we can get an entangled state simply by appropriately partitioning our total system into subsystems A and B.)
 
Last edited:
Thank you very much, Ravi Mohan and conana. That clears up a lot of confusion on my part. Very helpful.
 

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