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The Clifford Algebra of the Density Matrix: An Elementary Approach

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Abstract

This work studies the Clifford algebra approach to the density matrix. We discuss elementary examples of pure and mixed states by writing the density matrix as an element of the Clifford algebra of the three-dimensional space Cl3. We also revisit the phenomenon of Larmor precession within the framework of Clifford algebra. Additionally, we discuss the geometrical interpretation of the so-called Clifford Density Element (CDE) for pure states in analogy to the Bloch sphere of conventional quantum theory. Finally, we discuss the dynamics of the CDE, which obeys an algebraic form of the Liouville von–Neumann equation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number34
JournalAdvances in Applied Clifford Algebras
Volume34
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2024

Keywords

  • Density matrix
  • Density operator
  • Dynamics of quantum systems
  • Larmor precession
  • Mixed states
  • Primary 81V45
  • Secondary 15A66
  • Two-level systems

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